************OFFICIAL THREAD 1 FOR HOLDER -AG NOMINATION*********

[bdamomma]

http://c-span.org/

here you go guys.

http://c-span.org/Watch/C-SPAN3_wm.aspx

radio feed is better: http://c-span.org/Listen/C-SPAN-Radio_wm.aspx

some more recs you guys.

[cali]

1. thanks alyce

Leahy just finished his opening remarks, now Snarlin' is up.

[bdamomma]

5. your welcome cali

I just hope the BS meter of this committee does not get to me. Give the man a fair hearing.

[PCIntern]

2. Arlen's interminable pontificating begins:

How many decades am I going to have to listen to this guy?

[malaise]

3. A spineless jackass

All talk.

[cali]

6. get him out. get him the hell out.

I can't take him anymore.

Now fuckface is talking about how he's opposed appointees of his own party. Yeah, like Gonzo, Asscroft and Mucky. Not.

[cali]

4. there's something really maddening

about hearing the sanctimonius asswipe going on about how vital this job is and how the Senate has to scrutinize any nominee.

[bdamomma]

7. they didn't do too much to stop Mukasey huh?

did Arlen vote for him, oh wait is Whitehouse on this committee? He always has wonderful questions.

[cali]

8. Arlen voted for all three of bushy's AG noms

and yes, Sheldon Whitehouse is on the committee. I wonder if any new Senators are.

[malaise]

24. Give thanks for CSpan3 because Tweety likes the sound of his own voice more

and plans to decide what we hear - he wants a fight - his words.

[bdamomma]

9. Arlen looks good though.

[ThomWV]

12. His cheeks are badly sunken and I think he may have heavy makeup on

I'm not trying to be snide, just observations. I actually have at least some respect for the guy - there are a lot worse Republicans out there, so I don't have ill will for him.

[Hepburn]

34. Well, I could do without the orange hair on Sen. Specter.

I was watching Specter and Leahy earlier. There is Pat with his nice fringe of sparkling white hair...and there is Arlen looking like he is wearing a short version of Bozo the Clown hair.

Why the hell do some old guys dye their hair either jet black or shiny red?

:shrug:

[RaleighNCDUer]

60. Just trying to get in touch with their inner goth or punk. nt

[bdamomma]

10. they need to throw out the bushie loyals from the justice department

the justice department was gutted from 8 miserable years of bush.

yuk Orrin Hatch, do not care for him either. I better get myself ready for them to bring up Bill's name.

[ThomWV]

18. Easy to do with appointees, no so easy when you're talking about civil service hires

That is why the politicization of the hiring practices was such a devastating thing.

[babylonsister]

11. I predict Arlen is going to come out of this not looking so great,

especially considering Gonzo. Another whiney repuke in the minority who is stamping his foot-again-because he's not getting his way.

[Hepburn]

13. MSNBC just lost its feed....

...any other sources for the hearing working?

TIA :hi:

[ThomWV]

14. My C-span web connection in blinking on and off too

[Hepburn]

17. I think there is one feed and it is going to everyone....

...since it seems like there are problems all over.

Thanks for the info.

[bdamomma]

23. mine too.

is Teddy on this committee? Warner this is last year huh? 30 years is a long time.

[Hepburn]

15. Never mind....it's back....

...with Arlen pontificating.

[rsmith6621]

16. Who Is The Guy Sitting Right Next To Holder

....My brain cant recall......

[panader0]

19. Arlen Spector, the last living crook from the Warren report

Arlen Spector, believer in the "magic bullet" theory.

[bdamomma]

31. boy, these guys are going to be talking some secrets to the grave with them

aren't they?

[grannie4peace]

20. thank you, thank you!!!!

[annabanana]

21. Warner giving opening statement now - boilerplate

[cali]

22. John Warner blathering, oops, I mean introducing Holder now

gad these guys are longwinded bores.

[ThomWV]

27. Kind of makes you sort of want to see Specter back on doesn't it?

[cali]

30. LOL, Tom. It actually does.

ooh, "plunged into the cauldron of the courtroom".

[Hepburn]

25. More rec's needed....I did my part!

BTW: Wonder if Vitter wears a diaper under his suit? :shrug:

[bobd0]

26. Someone needs to tell these Republicans

to take a good, hard look around America right now. What they see is the result of Republican rule, Republican ideas, Republican politics. So these Republicans who have brought us to this point need to shut the fuck up, get the fuck out of the way, and let someone who has a chance to fix the mess they've made, fix it.

They approved Ashcroft and Gonzales, for god's sake. They have NO right to complain about any AG pick.

[Hepburn]

28. Exactly....

...after Gonzo, how the hell do they have the nerve to even think about downing Holder?

[bdamomma]

33. exactly, but of course they will bring up Clinton, I wish they would

just drop it, they have no right to give this guy a hard time when we have bush and cheney with no accountability given to them for the mess the country is in right now.

[annabanana]

29. That a big Repug is giving glowing intro is good...

Maybe the picking to come won't be too fierce... OR.. Warner knows that Holder won't be asked the "Is waterboarding torture?" question. . .

[cali]

35. it is good, but I think we can depend on Snarlin' and Oren to

go after Holder.

[bdamomma]

38. if they ask him that and he says yes, that will be on Cheney and Bush

that they are war criminals.

[canadianbeaver]

32. K&R.......Keep us rats up to date please...and thanks

[ThomWV]

36. It would seem that Warner is pre-forgiving Holder for the Clinton Pardons

[cali]

37. yep. that seems to be exactly what he's doing

not a bad move. not bad at all.

[bdamomma]

40. I think Warner is tired of all the BS too.

radio feed is better if anyone is having problems.

http://c-span.org/Listen/C-SPAN-Radio_wm.aspx

[ThomWV]

39. Wait a minute - what the hell is Warner doing there? Didn't he resign

Effective last friday?

[cali]

41. yes.

he's speaking as an Ex-Senator.

[ThomWV]

43. They have a right to sit with their former Committees?

I'm just saying it looks to me like he's on the wrong side of the bench.

[cali]

47. Well, he's not sitting with his former colleagues. He's

appearing before them in the capacity of introducing Holder to the Committee.

[bicentennial_baby]

55. As Bob Dole did for Daschle

:)

[bdamomma]

44. not bad having him pitch hitting for Holder.

[ThomWV]

46. Wonder why? I doubt very seriously its because of a respect for the good of the nation

[cali]

42. Leahy speaking

call on Eleanor Holmes-Norton. Bad feedback on Leahy's mike.

[bdamomma]

45. who is this Representative Norton is it?

[ThomWV]

48. DC Representative - Holder lives in DC I believe.

Not out in the Suburbs.

[annabanana]

49. The Rep without a vote.. Eleanor Norton (D) DC - and friend of Colbert Nation

[cali]

50. She's wonderful. She's the non-voting House member from D.C.

[Hepburn]

54. Rep of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Speaking on behalf of Holder.

[madokie]

51. Thanks for the link Alyce

:hi:

[annabanana]

52. She cites his ealier nomination by Reagan to District Court - smart move

[spanone]

53. thanks alyce

[mikelgb]

56. holmes norton is kinda dry

still like her though

[annabanana]

57. He'd be first to rise all the way through the Justice Dept ranks... Norton says

how good this would be for the moral of the Department!

[annabanana]

58. Swearing in Holder now

[annabanana]

59. Holder to start opening statement (after introducing family)

[bdamomma]

61. WoW the whole Holder family is there.

oh geez, are there any Code Pinkers there, they maybe, they were at Hillary's hearings.

[Hepburn]

63. Great looking family....

....and Holder's introductions of them ~~ very charming, especially about his son's name.

Now he is speaking about how successfull his wife is ~~ inside and outside of the home.

[bdamomma]

65. WoW Barbados that is pretty cool.

[cali]

66. I would be surprised if they weren't there.

[cali]

62. Holder introcucing family

Now giving his introductory remarks. Describes AG is being the guardian of the Constitution. Says he will adhere to the precepts and principles of that document, etc. Will fight terrorism, blah, blah. Protect civil rights. Will lead a strong independent agency.

[Hepburn]

64. His wife is very beautiful. n/t

[cali]

67. She certainly is.

amazing profile.

[Hepburn]

68. Now the info on his late sister in law.....

...another WOW on this.

What an accomplished man with a totally outstanding family! :applause:

[bdamomma]

72. he is no slouch.

Obama knows how to pick them!!!!

[Hepburn]

78. Amen to that! n/t

[bdamomma]

69. well finally someone knows about upholding the Constitution.

[annabanana]

70. Goals (1-3)

1)Strenthen Gov't against terrorism, use every available tool.. "within letter & spirit of the law"

2)Restore credibility, shaken by charges of partisanship

3)Reinivorate traditional mission (crime fighting , civil rights, fairness in marketplace)

[annabanana]

71. #3.. anti-monoply statement

[annabanana]

73. checks & balances are out of balance... Respect of Congress

[annabanana]

74. cites his taking on of powerful interests

[Hepburn]

75. Holder comes across, IMO, with a great deal of presence....

...and he has a great speaking voice.

Good appearance, IMO. He looks like he should represent the U.S.

[bdamomma]

76. I think I will start another thread after he finishes talking.

[Hepburn]

80. Thanks....

...when the threads get too long, it is a bit of a pain to keep up.

[cali]

88. good idea! Thanks.

[cali]

77. Stressing the importance of Congressional oversight

and judicial review. "My decisions were not always perfect. I made mistakes. With the benefit of hindsight, I can see my mistakes clearly".

[annabanana]

79. "Represents the People.. not one Presiden, not one party.. The People"

[annabanana]

81. WATERBOARDING FIRST OUT OF LEAHEY'S MOUTH

[annabanana]

82. iS IT TORTURE & ILLEGAL?

[annabanana]

83. He says yes.

[annabanana]

84. wowowowowow.. Can a commander in cheif immunize against charges?

[annabanana]

87. "no one is above the law"

[bdamomma]

85. THREAD 2 HERE

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4832812

[Hepburn]

86. Leahy questioning ~~ Holder responds, "Waterboarding is torture."

Holder cited prior facts on the history of this being held to be illegal and to be torture.

[Hope And Change]

89. K & R!