CNN: Eric Holder Tapped As Attorney General

by Todd Beeton, Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 12:10:19 PM EST

The Situation Room reported the breaking news that Eric Holder is Barack Obama's choice for Attorney General.

Washington attorney Eric Holder is President-elect Barack Obama's top choice to be the next attorney general and aides have gone so far as to ask senators whether he would be confirmed, an Obama official and people close to the matter said Tuesday.
Holder, a former U.S. attorney who served as the No. 2 official in the Justice Department under President Bill Clinton, would be the nation's first black attorney general.

Update [2008-11-18 17:53:30 by Todd Beeton]:CNN.com reports that "Holder has accepted the position but must still undergo a vetting process by the Obama transition team."

Tags: attorney general, Barack Obama, Eric Holder (all tags)

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Bekich lead now 2,374

as of 1:15PM Alaska Time

by fatbear 2008-11-18 12:25PM | 0 recs

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Re: Bekich lead now 2,374

helps if I could spell - that's Begich

by fatbear 2008-11-18 12:26PM | 0 recs

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Re: CNN: Eric Holder Tapped As Attorney General

Anyone find it odd that the job was offered and accepted AND made public without a vetting first?

It should be the opposite, the vetting should come first, the offer made, and then accepted or refused.

This is really strange.

by need some wood 2008-11-18 02:03PM | 0 recs

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Re: CNN: Eric Holder Tapped As Attorney General

Hasn't Sen. Clinton reportedly been offered the SoS position pending the vetting process? What's the difference?

by rfahey22 2008-11-18 02:34PM | 0 recs

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Re: CNN: Eric Holder Tapped As Attorney General

Holder has been vetted in the past and confirmed by the Senate at least twice before - once as US Attorney for DC and once for Dep AG. I'd be surprised if there is anything to worry about.

by jmnyc 2008-11-18 06:44PM | 0 recs

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Re: CNN: Eric Holder Tapped As Attorney General

I'm extremely happy that finally an AG has been chosen who opposes the death penalty, and unequivocally opposes torture.

by mady 2008-11-18 02:15PM | 0 recs

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Re: CNN: Eric Holder Tapped As Attorney General

Holder will be a good AG, and one we in the netroots can get behind.

by Sandwich Repairman 2008-11-18 04:19PM | 0 recs

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Re: CNN: Eric Holder Tapped As Attorney General

I think they rushed the announcement to put out some more positive news, fresh on the tail of the Lieberman vote, to distract angry Democrats and change the subject right away.

But it's too late. The Senate ruined my week, and it's going to take me quite a while to get over this latest insult to my loyalty. No money for a long time, that's for sure.

by Dan Kervick 2008-11-18 06:11PM | 0 recs

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Re: CNN: Eric Holder Tapped As Attorney General

I've followed Holder's career since he was appointed U.S. Attorney for DC, he always impressed me. I don't have the legal background to critique his skill but I think he will be an excellent AG. He is reported to be friends with Obama but I think his record as deputy AG during the Clinton administration showed that he can maintain the independence required to be an effective AG.

by souvarine 2008-11-18 06:44PM | 0 recs

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Re: CNN: Eric Holder Tapped As Attorney General

Completely agree. I lived in the DC area when he was US Attorney and he was very well regarded. I think he will do an excellent job as AG.

by jmnyc 2008-11-18 06:52PM | 0 recs

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Re: CNN: Eric Holder Tapped As Attorney General

Anyone else expect a torrent of "Here we go again, a black guy picking a black guy" uproars from conservatives? The nice thing is, we don't really have to care what they think. :-)

And if Mady is right, I'm also excited to have an AG that is against the death penalty.

by ProgressiveDL 2008-11-19 01:53AM | 0 recs