Reuters reports Alberto Gonzales has been confirmed as Attorney General.
White House counsel Alberto Gonzales survived a Democratic wall of opposition on Thursday to win U.S. Senate confirmation as the nation's next attorney general. He will be the first Hispanic-American to hold the post.
UPDATE: The Associated Press reports the Senate voted 60-36 to put the first Hispanic ever into the job, with all of the "no" votes coming from Democrats.
The vote followed two days of debate in the Senate. According to Fox News, Democratic opposition caused Republicans to wonder aloud why Democrats were so opposed to Gonzales' nomination:
"Is it prejudice? Is it a belief that a Hispanic-American should never be in a position like this because he will be the first one ever in a position like this?" Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah said. "Or is it because he's constantly mentioned for the Supreme Court of the United States of America? Or is it that they just don't like Judge Gonzales?"
Republicans hope that the Gonzales confirmation will resonate throughout the Hispanic community:
"This is a breakthrough of incredible magnitude for Hispanic-Americans and should not be diluted by partisan politics," Florida GOP Sen. Mel Martinez, the nation's first Cuban-American senator, said. "Judge Gonzales is a role model for the next generation of Hispanic-Americans in this country."
Congratulations to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales!
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