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Holder Endorsement Could Backfire
December 22, 2008 12:59 PM
ABC's Ariane de Vogue reports: Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, released several letters of support today from parties supporting the nomination of Attorney General Nominee Eric Holder. But one of the letters might backfire and serve as ammunition for those opposed to Holder's confirmation.
Former Attorney General James Comey writes in support of Holder but does not mince words when it comes to Holder's participation in the controversial pardon of financial fugitive Marc Rich. Comey says that Holder, who was then serving as Deputy Attorney General, made a "huge misjudgment" in his role in the pardon and that Holder has "learned a hard lesson."
Comey says in the letter that he has "unique perspective" into the matter because he served as the prosecutor in charge of the Marc Rich case from 1987-1993 and then after the pardons he, as US Attorney, supervised a criminal investigation into the pardons.
The Southern District of New York's investigation into the pardons received little attention. Comey's letter could well ignite some harsh questions from Republicans on the committee about that chapter in Holder's career.
Comey says that he had been "stunned" when Clinton pardoned Rich. Comey's investigation into the matter, however, never lead to any prosecutions.
"I know a lot of people who have made significant mistakes," writes Comey. But he adds that Holder's mistake for his role in the pardon might make Holder an even "better steward" of DOJ because he has "learned a hard lesson about protecting the integrity" of DOJ from "political fixes."
In a statement released today describing Comey's letter, Leahy left out any criticism of Holder and instead focuses on Comey's endorsement:
"The prosecutor in charge of the Marc Rich case and the criminal investigation into the Marc Rich pardon, described Holder as 'a smart, decent, humble man, who knows and loves the Department and has demonstrated his commitment to the rule of law across an entire career.'”
Mary Jo White, who held Comey's job as US Attorney in New York when the pardons were announced, and was reportedly furious at the time, is refusing any comment on Holder's nomination.
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary committee have succeeded in having Holder's hearing delayed a week, so they cam go through voluminous documents to prepare for the hearing.
December 22, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (14)
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Klien
Give me a BREAK. I would bet a thousand bucks that Holder will not be an issue. But I guess if you are carrying water for the GOP, skepticism will flourish in this new Administration.
You are suppose to serve ButterBall turkey for the holidays, not NeoCon Red Meat.
Get in the holiday spirit will you!!
Posted by: Omentum | Dec 22, 2008 1:07:55 PM
So.. Obama gets him to pardon Rezko about a week after he takes office? You've got to take care of the people who take care of you.
Posted by: howwouldiknow | Dec 22, 2008 2:09:31 PM
So.. Obama gets him to pardon Rezko about a week after he takes office? You've got to take care of the people who take care of you.
Posted by: howwouldiknow | Dec 22, 2008 2:09:31 PM
============================
howwouldyouknow?
simple
you would ask sean hannity as you always do.
Posted by: Omentum | Dec 22, 2008 2:46:07 PM
Wheeeww Omentum, that was a close one. I thought for a moment I had maybe asked a question that couldn't be answered by one of the 3 or 4 catch phrases that you're allowed to repeat. God only knows what would happen if you're forced to think up something on your own. I promise, I'll be more careful next time.
Posted by: howwouldiknow | Dec 22, 2008 3:10:33 PM
Washington is now the repository for Chicago politicians who made their way up through the same thuggery and palm greasing cesspool! Of course, this includes PEBO :(
Posted by: aware2u | Dec 22, 2008 3:12:13 PM
From article:"Comey's investigation....never LEAD to any prosecutions." Why can't you ABC journalists ever get the grammar correct? The word is LED. "LEAD" is a metal. What do your editors do to earn their paychecks? They don't seem to edit.
Posted by: Bayou947 | Dec 22, 2008 3:18:27 PM
Rezko has nothing to do with anything except in the pea-brained minds of Neo-Cons.
The dead issues just keep swirling around you don't they howwouldiknow?
Posted by: seansatx | Dec 22, 2008 3:42:23 PM
The PRESIDENT, then Clinton, has the CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT & POWER to pardong even the devil!
What was EMPLOYEE, Holder, supposed to do; dictate to Clinton as to whom he should pardon?
Don't like the pardon?
Then GO AFTER THE CLINTONS, if you dare!
It's like the failure to go bush, the 'decider', and instead sending 'lowly' soldiers to jail FOR FOLLOWING ORDERS from the destructive bush White House.
The rabid attack upon Holder is merely racism as raw as it gets!
Posted by: Patriot | Dec 22, 2008 5:33:16 PM
Holder did not pardon anyone!
The President (WITH DA POWER) did!
Remember the outing of CIA operative, Valery Plame, and the pardoning of Scooter Libby by the Constitution-busting bush and the GOPEE?
The outing of a CIA operative IS TREASON!
And no one was ever directly charged, fired or disciplined for another of the bush expression of GROSS INCOMPETENCE!
When will SLEEPING Americans get their priorities right, by the next 911? Geesh!
Holder DID NOT pardon anyone!
The then United States President did!
No one is fooled this is not about a pardon.
This is just another excuse to exhibit some more of America's good old fashion racism!
Posted by: Patriot | Dec 22, 2008 5:47:07 PM
Dear patriot, dog barf.
Posted by: jtyler@ftmojave.com | Dec 22, 2008 6:22:46 PM
It's my understanding, Sean Hannity, and Fox News and friends......it's my understanding that president Clinton pardoned Rich.....And Janet Reno was the atty general at the time.....Are you suggesting that Rich would not have been pardoned if Holder were not serving as deputy AJ? Give me a break all you folks who would say anything to try and deny the first African American to be the highest law enforcement officer in the nation...Wow!!!
A Black man as the Attorney General!!! Now that's progress!!!
America and world should be proud and hold their heads just a little higher...
Fox News and Company....mainly Sean Hannity....I got two words for you all concerning Eric Holder:
Back Off!!!!
Posted by: shalom | Dec 22, 2008 7:16:00 PM
Hey shalom...I bet Hannity is real scared...LOL
Posted by: MBNA Joe | Dec 22, 2008 7:48:37 PM
Eric holder has too many skeletons in his closet. Those lousy demonrats should nominate someone else for the post.
Posted by: demonrats | Dec 23, 2008 7:37:54 AM
The know-nothings, vicious neocons and the plain old fashioned sickos are out on this subject as is to be expected.
Posted by: Herb Gray | Dec 23, 2008 11:38:29 PM
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