Sources: Holder to Be Attorney General
Eric Holder, the man charged with vetting Barack Obama's vice presidential picks, is almost certain to be the attorney general in the Obama Administration, according to knowledgeable Democratic sources.
Newsweek's Michael Isikoff first reported the news of Holder's likely selection. The Obama transition team, however, is not confirming the report.
It's worth noting that in his item, Isikoff writes that Holder has yet to go through the formal vetting process that would be expected before the decision is finalized and announced publicly.
Holder did not return a series of emails seeking confirmation of the Newsweek report. If he is named to the post, he would be the first African American to head the Justice Department.
Holder, like many of Obama's early appointments, has long ties to former President Bill Clinton. Clinton named Holder U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in 1993 and four years later the former president appointed Holder deputy attorney general -- the second-ranking position in the Justice Department. Holder also found himself in the middle of the controversial pardon of financier Marc Rich issued just before Clinton left office.
Holder is currently a "litigation partner" with the firm Covington & Burling and, over the summer, served as the semi-public face of Obama's vetting process.
Initially Holder was part of a three-person vetting team but Jim Johnson was forced to step aside due to his ties to Countrywide -- the mortgage lending giant. And, Caroline Kennedy, the other member of the trio, played an almost entirely behind the scenes role -- leaving Holder to deal (albeit it rarely) with the press on the vice presidential issue.
The Obama campaign has been extremely tight-lipped about the individuals the president-elect is considering for the top Cabinet slots in his White House. The most far-advanced selection process appears to be for secretary of State where Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) is considered the frontrunner for the job.
By
Chris Cillizza
|
November 18, 2008; 3:14 PM ET
Categories:
White House
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Posted by: Realbrother0003 | November 18, 2008 9:50 PM | Report abuse
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Someone else should have the guts to say this however Eric Holder's performance during the Clinton administration was not held in very high regard. In fact, it was pretty much a joke that he was appointed to the position he was.
Seriously folks, are we kidding here?
This transition is becoming a parade of alternation unqualified and underqualified people intertwined with the Clinton administration, including a Clinton herself !
Is this a joke, or complete insanity.
This is quickly becoming a circus.
Does anyone remember the Clinton administration?
I know who does - the Superdelegates.
They voted to get the Clintons and their cronies OUT.
Obviously these people have NO IDEA what they are doing beyond the smoke and mirrors of the campaign.
What are they going to do - call Joe Biden from the 7 - 11 ???
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Posted by: 37thandOStreetRules | November 18, 2008 8:21 PM | Report abuse
This was heavily speculated; Holder's got all the right credentials to hopefully start restoring some dignity to the Justice Department.
Posted by: SeanC1 | November 18, 2008 5:31 PM | Report abuse
Nice to see the Dept of Justice return to the business of justice.
Real change has come.
Posted by: wpost4112 | November 18, 2008 5:18 PM | Report abuse
very nice pick for A.G., lots of rebuilding. Gosh, compared to the Rodham Clinton bum rush of State it actually seems presidential with a sprinkling of change in the air.
Posted by: angriestdogintheworld | November 18, 2008 5:00 PM | Report abuse
CONGRATULATIONS, MR. HOLDER. THE INNOCENT VICTIMS OF EXTRAJUDICIAL TARGETING AND ORGANIZED "COMMUNITY/GANG STALKING" LOOK TO YOU TO FINALLY END DOMESTIC TERRORISM DIRECTED AGAINST AMERICAN CITIZENS:
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/government-agencies-support-domestic-torture-and-gang-stalking-says-targeted-u-s-journalist
OR
http://members.nowpublic.com/scrivener
Posted by: scrivener50 | November 18, 2008 4:44 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
Real Brother here.
So they want to make the same claims about Holder that they said about Obama. What these Racists, White Supremacists and Black man hating lesbians just don't get is that Obama and the rest of us are using a diffrent criteria for those who would govern then the criteria that Racists, White Supremacists and Black man hating lesbians would.
I know you Idiots want to see Tom Metzger as the Attorny General but still.
TKCAL