Bend over: Here comes Holder (Liveblogging Senate debate)

By Michelle Malkin  •  February 2, 2009 03:44 PM

I’m watching Sen. Arlen Specter on the Senate floor right now blithering about how he’ll vote for AG nominee Eric Holder despite the corrupt Marc Rich and FALN pardons.

Holder “deserves the benefit of the doubt” and deserves bipartisanship support since Sen. Leahy supported Chief Justice John Roberts.

The latest AP dispatch on Holder’s expected smooth sailing on the nomination vote today doesn’t even bother to mention Rich and FALN.

Sen. Vitter’s office just e-mailed his statement:

“I’m afraid Eric Holder just doesn’t pass the basic test of political independence. In the Clinton administration, he advanced the Marc Rich pardon, which FBI Director Louis Freeh correctly called a ‘corrupt act.’ And he bowed to leftist pressure in helping promote clemency for 16 members of Fuerzas Armadas de Liberation National (FALN) and Los Macheteros, terrorist organizations linked by the FBI to more than 130 bombings and six murders. That’s not grounds for a big promotion in my mind,” said Vitter.

3:48pm Eastern. GOP Sen. Tom Coburn has just taken to the floor to express his opposition to Holder based on the pardons and Holder’s views on the 2nd and 1st amendments.

He lacks judgment, independence, and candor necessary to be Attorney General.

On Rich pardon: He allowed his judgment to be overridden by political considerations.

On FALN pardons: Holder has embraced his role, unapologetic despite knowing little about the terrorists and their crimes before approving the commutations.

On Holder’s hostility to 2nd amendment: Despite Holder’s assurances on Heller, he is a zealous activist on anti-gun advocacy — age restrictions, bans, gun show loophole, state right-to-carry laws. (See David Kopel.) He has been a vocal anti-gun activist, but failed to be candid about those views during hearings. He will not adequately defend the Second Amendment.

On Fairness Doctrine: Coburn highlights Holder’s openness to Fairness Doctrine in 2004 and evasiveness in questioning.

Coburn recounts his vote for Alberto Gonzales, which he would not have cast in hindsight.

Coburn: I cannot in good conscience support this nomination.

4:08pm Eastern. Illinois Sen. Roland Burris makes his floor debut with a little race card-playing. Natch.

4:38pm Eastern. Sen. John Cornyn will vote no on Holder.

5:02pm Eastern. Bunning is a no.

Update here: Final vote 75-21.

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  2. Why Jim Tedisco Matters « JoHNBRoDiGaNDoTCoM
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Comments


  1. #609686
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 3:46 pm, Socky said:

    Just for gits and shiggles, what do you guys think the odds of a pardon for Mumia Jamal are?

  2. #609695
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 3:55 pm, bradley said:

    Don’t worry, Holder will just be another affirmative action hire. Experience, ability, intellect, none have anything to do with it.

  3. #609696
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 3:56 pm, JT said:

    On February 2nd, 2009 at 3:46 pm, Socky said:

    Just for gits and shiggles, what do you guys think the odds of a pardon for Mumia Jamal are?

    With the Obama administration it is entirely possible.

  4. #609703
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 4:07 pm, tettes said:

    repub demands for “political independence” of the next AG would hold more weight if they had held themselves to the same standards over the past 8 years.

  5. #609707
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 4:10 pm, taylork said:

    Specter needs to go. It’s a shame I’d be a year too young to run against him.

  6. #609708
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 4:10 pm, JDinTX said:

    I am sure my two RINO’s from TX will support him, too.

  7. #609709
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 4:11 pm, sonofdy said:

    tettes: So you are for a politicly active AG??? good to know.

  8. #609728
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 4:28 pm, James Felix said:

    repub demands for “political independence” of the next AG would hold more weight if they had held themselves to the same standards over the past 8 years.

    Really? Please describe the political activism of Bush’s AGs.

  9. #609739
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 4:36 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Geoffrey Holder: “Guaranteed to make your mouth water! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

  10. #609742
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 4:36 pm, vargas said:

    bradley–

    Disagree with Holder’s appointment based on his record, but he clearly has distinguished himself enough to be nominated. Calling him ‘just another affirmative action hire’ shows at best that you’re dumb, and at worst that you’re racist.

  11. #609748
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 4:44 pm, lottadawg said:

    Seems like a lot of appointees deserve a chance in this administration no matter what. I have trouble with that FALN thing.

  12. #609769
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 4:59 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On February 2nd, 2009 at 4:36 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:
    Geoffrey Holder: “Guaranteed to make your mouth water! think it’s being subjected to waterboarding Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

    Option 2.

  13. #609777
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 5:04 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Specter needs to go. It’s a shame I’d be a year too young to run against him.

    No need for birth certificates. After being elected – “Oops.”

  14. #609791
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 5:26 pm, conservativesRus said:

    On February 2nd, 2009 at 4:36 pm, vargas said:
    Disagree with Holder’s appointment based on his record, but he clearly has distinguished himself enough to be nominated

    ?distinguished? – what makes one distinguished? I take it that you don’t think good decision making (or even decision making period) is necessary. Maybe just “being in the public spotlight” makes one distinguished? Please explain. I’m confused.

  15. #609796
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 5:30 pm, arnold ziffel said:

    Does anyone find it ironic that 2nd. amendment haters Clinton,Clinton,Obama,and Holder have no problem with pardons of FLAN bombers, no problem with bombers Ayers and Dorhn, yet just about crapped their pants in excitement over the assault weapons/Brady bill?
    Even though there has been no uptick in gun crimes in the four years since its end,or reduction since the start of AWB legislation, the libs will pass another one—-this time w/no sunset clause.

  16. #609802
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 5:36 pm, Jamfish said:

    Good Lord; could Sessions sound any more divided?

    *sigh*

  17. #609826
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 5:51 pm, Jamfish said:

    Hutchinson expressed grave concern over 2nd Amendment rights and Holder’s interpretations… voting NO!

    Yay, Kay!

  18. #609828
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 5:52 pm, PersonalLiberty said:

    Holder is a 2A disaster. Vote NO!

  19. #609835
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 5:59 pm, Jamfish said:

    Fracking Hatch… was he in on that deal the GOP cut?

  20. #609840
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 6:04 pm, cngerms said:

    How much did taxpayers pay for Leahy’s 4-foot portrait of Holder?

  21. #609844
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 6:10 pm, old trooper said:

    Vargas, thanks for playing the race card.
    I was wondering when someone that is sadly ignorant of Holder’s record would blurt it out like a fart in Church.

    Holder’s lack of character, lack of judgment in the Clinton Pardons, involvement in Waco as Janet Reno’s #2,
    lack of respect for the Bill of Rights (2nd Amendment/Heller decision) makes him very “distinguished” indeed.

    Play the Race Card. It very clearly “distinguishes” you as a very ignorant
    and Racist individual.

  22. #609848
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 6:14 pm, Jamfish said:

    WTF is Specter doing talking about the stimulus?

    Leahy is spouting off about Holder’s alleged support of the 2nd Amendment.

    Leahy: “This man restores the luster of the Dept. of Justice”

    Hahahahaha…

  23. #609849
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 6:16 pm, Jamfish said:

    Leahy: “…come on the right side of history…”

    If Holder is the right side, then I want to be wrong, wrong, wrong!

  24. #609850
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 6:22 pm, cngerms said:

    Patrick Leahy was just extolling the virtues of Eric Holder, “Friend of the Second Amendment.” If I had hair, I’d ask someone to hold it back for me.

    America’s gun-owners are soon to be in a fight for their lives with the nomination of Holder and the introduction of bills such as HR45, Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009; a national registration scheme.

  25. #609857
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 6:31 pm, rightisright said:

    Doesn’t this guy know or appoint anyone to an office that isn’t a law breaker? This has to be the most corrupt, most unethical, administrations of all time. The Zero is making that other great socialist Pres. Nixon, look like a saint.

  26. #609865
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 6:42 pm, Jamfish said:

    Holder confirmed. Thanks for nothing, GOP.

  27. #609920
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 7:28 pm, txvet2 said:

    On February 2nd, 2009 at 6:22 pm, cngerms said:

    Patrick Leahy was just extolling the virtues of Eric Holder, “Friend of the Second Amendment.” If I had hair, I’d ask someone to hold it back for me.

    America’s gun-owners are soon to be in a fight for their lives with the nomination of Holder and the introduction of bills such as HR45, Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009; a national registration scheme.

    That’s why the lines in the gun shops down here. I’ve stocked up, but I was thinking about another ammo run just in case.

  28. #609922
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm, txvet2 said:

    On February 2nd, 2009 at 6:31 pm, rightisright said:

    Doesn’t this guy know or appoint anyone to an office that isn’t a law breaker? This has to be the most corrupt, most unethical, administrations of all time

    They’re already the most corrupt administration in history, and they aren’t even all confirmed yet. They got pre-corrupted under Clinton and Carter.

  29. #609935
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 7:40 pm, cngerms said:

    That’s why the lines in the gun shops down here. I’ve stocked up, but I was thinking about another ammo run just in case.

    I hear you, txvet2. I just hope we’ve all got firearms in which to use that ammo in 4 years; registration precedes confiscation 100% of the time.

  30. #609938
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 7:45 pm, cngerms said:

    Hard to believe Sessions voted FOR Holder. Is there not one who can consistently hold the line and not compromise his principles?

  31. #609975
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 8:28 pm, zyzzyg said:

    Sen Vitter said, ” . . . just doesn’t pass the basic test of political independence . . .”

    I would like to know what he said about AG Al Gonzalez?

  32. #609976
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 8:28 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Surely there’s a place for Marc Rich in this Administration.

  33. #610001
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 pm, vargas said:

    old trooper:

    Clearly, I did not ‘play’ anything. Actually, as I specifically stated, I think it’s fine to disagree with his appointment based on a variety of reasons.
    Saying he is ‘just an affirmative action hire’ is indeed racist, and it’s a dumb statement. My response was directed solely to that statement. If you’re opposed to him based on his character, based on the Clinton pardons, etc., then that’s fine, and you’re entitled to your opinion on that. But don’t make a comment about him based solely on his race, as Bradley did.

  34. #610067
    On February 2nd, 2009 at 10:38 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    vargas, quite a few of us are opposed to the man for his opinions, actions and character and we need no one’s permission to hold such views.

    Saying he is ‘just an affirmative action hire’ is indeed racist

    Bull, he was just one more Clinton affirmative action photo.Sorry lad but the “racist” card is so overplayed that we can no longer act when racism does rise up for no one believes us.
    But hell, what does a former field worker Coconut know? Just a Credit to My Race here boss vargas.

  35. #610100
    On February 3rd, 2009 at 12:31 am, Wellsy said:

    The Attorney General can be one of the most dangerous and damaging positions in government. Just look at all of Janet Reno’s tenure. And even she didn’t have all this baggage going into her position.

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