Anonymous Republican Senator Places Hold On Top Justice Department Nominees
Anonymous Republican Senator Places Hold On Top Justice Department Nominees
The Bush administration has repeatedly attacked the Democratic Congress for stalling on the President’s executive nominees. In January, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said it was unfortunate the Democratic leadership “has not moved forward on its obligation to have hearings and to hold votes.” Last month, Bush said the Senate is treating his nominees as “political pawns.”
Yet as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) revealed in a letter to Bush on Thursday, an anonymous Republican is now actually holding up two of the President’s top Justice Department nominees. From Leahy’s letter:
I regret to inform you that we were stalled last week in our efforts to fill two other critical positions at the Department, when an anonymous Republican hold blocked confirmation of Kevin O’Connor to be the Associate Attorney General, and Gregory Katsas to be the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Division. I was particularly disappointed with this unexpected development. … They were set for confirmation before the Easter recess, until the last-minute Republican objection stalled them.
The longest-stalled nominee is Michael Sullivan, Bush’s choice to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). He, in fact, is being blocked by conservative “gun-rights champions” — including Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) — who believe the ATF has been overzealous in enforcing requirements that dealers keep detailed gun-sale records.”
So far, however, the White House has refused to criticize these conservatives blocking the President’s nominees, instead continuing to attack Democrats. But in reality, Bush has had 90 percent of his nominations confirmed to lifetime appointments — far better than President Clinton fared.
In addition to congressional conservatives, Bush is also responsible for the hold-up on many of his nominees. In December, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) met with the White House and agreed to allow more than 84 of the President’s nominees to go through. Bush, however, insisted that unless the Senate agreed to torture advocate Steven Bradbury’s recess appointment, “he wouldn’t make a deal.” “It’s Brabury, or nobody,” said Bush.
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Hagel ?
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:59 amBush has had 90 percent of his nominations confirmed to lifetime appointments
A war criminal has a 90 percent success rate in having his nominations confirmed to lifetime appointments.
This is America.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:03 am9 out of 10 is not good enough for the CHIMP. Well, I say to bad. Thomas Paine said”It is an affront to treat falsehood with complaisance”.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:04 amLord, sounds like a college frat-house instead of government.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:04 amhypocrite and republican are synonyms.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:36 am.
As far as I’m concerned, put a hold on everything this lame brain, lame duck wants done for the rest of his time in office. He certainly isn’t going to act in the best interest of Americans who must pay for his oversized ego. He has shown contempt for the most basic of American values so he deserves to be ignored.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:43 amIt looks as though the dem Senate is looking for ways to cave to w’s ridiculous demands. What was the 2006 election for? I guess it is obvious that the WH has pictures, the dems are constantly quietly reminded of Paul Wellstone’s fate, or the dem “leadership” is composed of DINOs.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 amDoes anyone believe that MSM will report “holds” on bills or appointments by repukes? All that will be reported is that with the Dems in charge, little got done. A flat out lie that will be repeated over and over until everyone believes it is true. Again, the losers are the American citizens who have repeatedly been turned into campaign talking points.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 amsounds to me like leahy is trying to get ahead of the next bushco talking point
that continues to blame the dems for “holding up” nominees…
so, if the SCMSM won’t spread this news it’s up to you, us…
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:41 pmpass it on…
norm coleman.
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:46 pmSo these nominations are being held up by a Republican hold?
Yeah, like reality matters to Chimpy and Faux News. They’ll just keep on claiming that it’s “Democrat obstructionism”. “Cause it feels good.
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:58 pmI’m more interested in wondering if the RepubliCONs were in charge and an anonymous Democratic Senator were managing to place a hold on a nomination just how quickly would his name be uncovered and publicly revealed?
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:30 pm(How, exactly, is it that someone can “place a hold” under cover of anonymity anyway?)
Every single thing these criminals do is by design. EVERYTHING.
March 22nd, 2008 at 4:10 pmIt’s time for the Democrats to join their Republican colleagues and stop giving Bush what he wants until they get EVERYTHING they’ve subpoenaed!
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:46 pmIt is high time that the practice of “anonymous” holds be banned. If any federal legislator wants to block a piece of legislation for valid reasons he or she should at least have enough gonads to support their position openly without having to hide behind the cloak of anonyminity.
That is, quite simply,the way a coward does things. Of course, considering the example Bush has set, I guess this shouldn’t be such a surprise.
My god these so-called “representatives” of We, the People make me sick. It’s no wonder our country is so screwed up.
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 am