Some Republicans May Not Back AG Nominee

Sunday, October 28th 2007, 7:36 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee is joining two Democrats in calling on the attorney general nominee to say whether waterboarding is torture.

Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says he might consider opposing Michael Mukasey's nomination if the former judge says waterboarding is not torture.

The interrogation technique is designed to simulate drowning. Mukasey so far has refused to say explicitly whether he thinks it's legal.

Graham told CBS that Mukasey "needs to come forward." He says if Mukasey doesn't think waterboarding is illegal, that would "really put doubts" in Graham's mind.

Another Republican, John McCain, also says the waterboarding issue is important as he decides whether to back Mukasey.

The former POW says that the issue is "about what kind of nation we are." He says, "We are a nation that takes the moral high ground."