From a press conference earlier today:

“Well, I’m optimistic. “Let’s just go back to the beginning on Mukasey. “Our Democratic colleagues said we needed a new attorney general, so we got a new attorney general. “They said there needed to be a bipartisan consultation. The president engaged in bipartisan consultation. One of the Democratic leaders, in fact, suggested Judge Mukasey and the president nominated Judge Mukasey. “I think The Washington Post editorial page got it right this morning. It’s time to confirm him. The Justice Department, according to our Democratic colleagues, has been not doing very well for quite some time and needs new leadership. “Judge Mukasey, now, is going to end up — this period between nomination and, I assume, confirmation, at some point, is going to be quite lengthy compared to virtually any attorney general nominee in the recent past. “I haven’t given up that he’s going to be confirmed. I believe the Judiciary Committee is going to act Tuesday. I’m hopeful that he will come out of committee and that he will be confirmed on the floor of the Senate.” “If an individual as qualified as Judge Mukasey can’t be confirmed, it does raise a interesting question as to who could be confirmed. “Which I think was one of the points The Washington Post editorial page made today. This is an incredibly accomplished individual, a perfect choice for the job. I can’t believe it’s become contentious. “And I’m still hopeful. I’ve not given up hope that he’ll be confirmed shortly.”