Holder Gets Support From Specter on Judiciary

[tekisui]

Source: Bloomberg

Jan. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Eric Holder’s nomination to be U.S. attorney general received a boost when his confirmation was endorsed by Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The panel meets tomorrow to vote on Holder’s nomination by President Barack Obama to be the first black to lead the Justice Department. The committee’s approval would clear the way for full Senate confirmation later this week. The panel put off the vote for a week as Republicans demanded fuller responses from Holder on some issues.

Specter had grilled Holder during Jan. 15 confirmation hearings about his role in President Bill Clinton’s 2001 pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich. The senator told reporters today that Holder “was candid in conceding” that “he made a mistake” in acquiescing to the pardon when Holder was deputy attorney general.

He “is entitled to the benefit of the doubt in the context of the excellent record that he has,” Specter said. He also said he was influenced by the endorsement of Holder by former FBI Director Louis Freeh.

Specter noted that Freeh called the pardon of Rich “a corrupt act” yet supported Holder because his role was minimal. Freeh headed the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Clinton.

more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aS0Jmh951Aus&refer=us

[spanone]

1. you sure that's not from the onion?

[tekisui]

2. It's for real. I hope no 'deals' were made.

Specter will vote for his approval on Wednesday morning.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/specter-says-he-will-back-holder/

[mdavies013]

3. That's what I worry about...if not they can take a page for Bush...Promise then don't deliver.

[sam sarrha]

4. Holder was being 'Extorted" to not investigate Bu$hitCo for war crimes..and worse, for endorsement

if holder Agreed... then he can be charged with Obstruction of justice and conspiracy.. and becomes dirty himself as the ReThuglicans