Statement of John Podesta

January 7, 2004

The testimony of Alberto Gonzales before the Senate Judiciary Committee did little to put to rest the very serious concerns raised about his nomination. We are troubled by his evasive answers to many important questions and his refusal to state categorically that the president may not authorize the use of torture in violation of U.S. law and the Geneva Conventions. As some of our nation's most distinguished retired military leaders have said, America cannot exempt itself from the universal prohibitions against the mistreatment of captives without placing our own troops at grave risk should they be captured abroad. An individual who fails to understand this is unfit to be the Attorney General of the United States. We urge the Senate to oppose this nomination.

John D. Podesta is the president and CEO of the Center for American Progress.