Posted on 11/18/2008 6:30:49 PM PST by DBCJR
Obama's top choice for attorney general is Eric Holder, a former No. 2 Justice Department official in the Clinton administration ...would become the first African American to serve as the nation's chief lawyer.
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But the Obama official said the decision has not been finalized, and transition spokesmen said no decision has been made.
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In the past week, Obama aides have asked Senate Republicans whether they would support Holder. In particular, the aides questioned whether Holder's confirmation would be delayed because of his involvement in the 2001 pardon of Rich.
...Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the pardon "would be a factor to consider."
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Asked if Holder would be a good choice for attorney general, Specter said it was too soon to say.
...On the last day of Clinton's term, Holder, then the deputy attorney general, was asked whether Clinton should pardon Rich, a wealthy commodities dealer who had spent years running from tax charges. Holder said he was "neutral, leaning toward favorable" on the pardon. Clinton later cited that as among the factors that persuaded him to issue the pardon.
Holder has publicly apologized for what he said was a snap decision that he should have paid more attention to. Had he taken more time to review the case, he would have advised against a pardon, he said.
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(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
No mention in this obvoiously partisan AP story of Holder’s involvement, as Deputy AG, in the kidnapping and deportation back to Cuba of 6 year-old Elian Gonzalez in 2000.
They asked Senators about his pardoning of the tax-evading billionaire, because they knew this was a Clinton sell-out and he totally rubber stamped the pardon without thinking. They didn’t ask about Elian Gonzalez because Dems never saw that as being an issue. Holder was a hasty pick. Wonder why?
there is something else about Holder I remember from the Toon days, but I can’t recall it....I have the impression that he is very crooked.....more than just Elian and the pardons...
Yes, photos don’t lie. Glad you had that one in your file. Perhaps the most disgraceful moment in American history!
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