Republicans Obstruct Holder's Path to Justice Dept.

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012102364.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter


Republicans put new obstacles in the path of Eric H. Holder Jr.'s quest to become attorney general, raising concerns that he would prosecute intelligence agents who engaged in potentially illegal interrogation techniques and postponing consideration of his nomination.

The Senate easily confirmed Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state yesterday on a 94 to 2 vote after Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) dropped his request for more information about foreign donations to former president Bill Clinton's charitable foundation. Cornyn said yesterday that he had been swayed by a private conversation with Clinton, and he was among those supporting her nomination. Republican Sens. Jim DeMint (S.C.) and David Vitter (La.) cast the dissenting votes.

But even as Cornyn was getting out of the way of one appointee to President Obama's Cabinet, he raised new questions about another. The Senate Judiciary Committee decided yesterday morning to delay a vote to send Holder's nomination to the full Senate while lawmakers attended the morning National Prayer Service with Obama. The hearing was rescheduled for yesterday, but Republicans then requested a one-week delay on the nomination that Democrats were required to grant under committee rules.

Holder has generated more controversy than any other Obama nominee and was sharply questioned in an appearance before the committee last week. Many senators, including some Democrats, said they were troubled by his role in the pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich in the final days of the Clinton administration.

MORE at the link above --

[Captain Hilts]

1. They should just ask 'why' Rich got the pardon. Hell, ask Ehud Barak of Israel 'why' he asked for it

And such ended the closest we've been to peace in the Middle East in decades.

[cali]

2. They're scared as hell of Holder.

They want a weak and inexperienced AG who'll take years just to learn the ropes at Justice.

[Captain Hilts]

3. Yes, he will know where to look, be able to tell what was vestigial, etc.

For example, a friend of mine explained to me - with links - how the FLRB was GUTTED to enable the govt. to screw over its own employees. Holder will know to look for that kind of thing in addition to violations of our rights.

[Old and In the Way]

7. Odd, isn't it. The Law and Order Party dragging their feet on the DoJ nominee.

I couldn't agree with you more...the last thing they want is a AG who is willing and able to do his job.

[merh]

4. They oppose a US Attorney who might enforce the law?

Fuck them and their obstruction - no one is above the law and they need to realize that.

[endarkenment]

5. And this is the story that is being buried

The Republicans are attempting to obstruct investigations into war crimes committed by the cabal and we are off discussing if a bible is required to take the oath of office.

[ThomWV]

6. They may or may not stop Holder but they can not stop prosecutions

Laws have been broken and the entire world is watching to see if we are indeed a nation under the rule of law. We will prove we are no matter if the Republican Party is successfully temporally in protecting their own or not.

[cali]

10. No, they really can't stop Holder.

and it won't even be terribly close on the floor. They invoked a rule imposing an automatic 1 week delay. Once that's over, they have no more stalling options that Leahy can't contravene.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

8. Obama needs his AG nominee to get to work

Why are the Republicans preventing Obama from having his AG nominee confirmed so that he can get to work? Where's the outrage among Republicans that our country doesn't have an AG at his desk right now working to protect us?* It's an outrage that partisan politics are being played with our nation's security!

*Of course, I know the answer: Republicans - the biggest hypocrites on Planet Earth.
:argh:

[PVnRT]

9. Jon-boy needs to get over Bill Clinton

I know that's hard for him, but it's time to move on.