Sen. Hatch to back Eric Holder for AG

[BlueJessamine]

Source: The Hill

The former Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee will support Eric Holder's nomination for attorney general, giving him a major boost toward confirmation.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah), who chaired the panel for a decade beginning in 1995, told The Hill that he will support Holder.

“I intend to,” said Hatch.

His decision could undermine GOP efforts to stall or block the confirmation. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said Friday that Holder would be the only Cabinet nominee to face a tough confirmation fight.

Hatch said that Republicans should try to strike a cooperative tone with President-elect Obama during the first days of his administration.

“I start with the premise that the president deserves the benefit of the doubt. I don’t think politics should be played with the attorney general,” he said.

“I like Barack Obama and want to help him if I can.”

Other Republicans on the Judiciary Committee, however, have vowed to grill Holder about his time as deputy attorney general under President Bill Clinton.




Read more: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/sen.-hatch-to-back-...

[babylonsister]

1. I hate to be cynical, but I'll believe it when I actually see it. nt

[tom_paine]

2. I hate to be cynical, also, but I think Hatch's support of Holder means no prosecution

of Felonious Bushies.

I hope I am wrong.

[babylonsister]

3. Specter's not supporting Holder, but that could be

about a 2010 run more than anything. I don't know, and hope you're wrong.

[tom_paine]

5. I always try to remember that it's easy to fall down the rabbit hole of speculations.

I didn't know Specter wasn't supporting Holder.

Of course, we live in a political world which SEEMS full of sham opposition and a media world that mostly consists of cacophonous corporate clowns, it's hard to know what to trust.

That's not an intellectual atmosphere I ever thought I'd be living in. Thanks, Bushies. Thanks, Fox News.

P.S Paging babylonsister, paging bablyonsister, you have a message...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[w4rma]

8. Hatch has always struck me as having an independent streak. Maybe in this case a horse is just a

horse.

[tom_paine]

11. Agreed.

I hope this message finds you and yours well.

[w4rma]

14. Thanks, tom_paine! It did!

[FiveGoodMen]

4. In my book, that automatically makes Holder a bad choice

[UrbScotty]

6. Holder will be confirmed.

I mean, seven Dems would have to oppose him along with every Repub and independent.

[Cha]

7. Whatever happens I know this..mitch mcconnell

better be careful what he wishes for.

[lonestarnot]

9. Guess that would be a hatchback then. Doh.

[GentryDixon]

10. This is a good thing.

It may bring the "Flock" in Utah into line.

[pmorlan1]

12. Orin wants to be chairman again

Sounds like Orin just wants to undercut Specter. lol

[NewJeffCT]

13. His one vote would break a potential filibuster then

if I'm not mistaken...