Eric Holder Scares the Crap out of Rethugs with Three Little Words

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas)* this afternoon led the Republican charge to delay Holder’s confirmation vote before the Senate Judiciary Committee for at least a week. His reason:
Cornyn said he was concerned about Holder’s definition of waterboarding as illegal torture at his confirmation hearing last week.
Cornyn also expressed concern that Holder’s view of the issue could open intelligence officials to prosecution. Intelligence officials used what they called “enhanced interrogation” during the Bush administration to obtain information about national security threats.
Intelligence officials? Possibly that’s his main concern. But I suspect he’s a lot more worried about people who were farther up the chain of command.
Cornyn has been double teaming with Arlen Specter to try and derail Holder’s nomination if possible, to the point of Specter absurdly comparing Holder unfavorably to Alberto Gonzales (!!!!) and dredging up the Clinton pardon of Marc Rich.
Given the Democratic majority and the prevailing approval by the American public of Holder’s position on torture, not to mention his stated intention to remove politics from the Justice Department and bring back the rule of law, Holder will eventually be confirmed. But the Repubs aren’t happy about it. Or should I say they’re crapping their pants about it?
* Yes, that John Cornyn, the one who needlessly delayed Hillary’s confirmation before the full Senate by a day apparently just for . . . spite!
Posted by marindenver on 01/21/09 at 07:50 PM • Permalink
Categories: Politics • Election '08 • Barack Obama • BushCo • Editorials • War In Error •

