Specter: "I Have An Open Mind" On Holder

After weeks of criticizing Barack Obama's choice for Attorney General, Sen. Arlen Specter may be softening.

"I have an open mind" when it comes to Eric Holder's nomination, the Pennsylvania Republican said outside the Republican Conference lunch on Tuesday.

The remarks come just hours after Specter went on MSNBC's Morning Joe to raise concerns about Holder's role in the pardoning of Marc Rich and his political independence from Obama. The Senator has never explicitly said that he would vote against Holder's nomination, which seems extremely likely to pass through the Judiciary Committee. But his opposition has, critics claim, appeared more politically motivated than based on substantive concerns.

Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy suggested as much when asked about GOP opposition to Holder during a conference call Tuesday. The Vermont Democrat replied:

"Normally I would have just expected this to be an easy nomination because everyone knows Eric Holder and how qualified he is. And after the other side had a unanimous vote for Alberto Gonzales, I thought they might want to redeem themselves with a vote for Eric Holder. But several weeks ago a former official in the Bush White House [Karl Rove] went on the Today Show and said they should go and attack Eric Holder. And a day later or so, they all went out with the same talking points that Mr. Rove had said."

Comments

[Truby]

A politician with an open mind, ha!

[uglyhumanbeing]

holder is too dark a shade of grey for spectator.

[1murillo]

This is Specter's "The fundamentals of the economy are strong/they are at great risk" moment.

Spector has once again demonstrated that he's lost whatever touch he's had with our reality. His attempted backtrack is an apparent admission that he has neither the capability nor strength to challenge Obama and the existing national environment.

[GeoLee]

I am embarrassed to know this man was born in Kansas (Russell, home also of Bob Dole). I hope someone has reminded him of his role in the development of the patriot act and how it will be used against him in his next race...assuming he lives that long or wants to run again.

[mcantwell]

Changed his mind since this morning, huh?

[PKSSK]

Specter really needs to retire or be replaced by a dem, and from what I hear from family and friends in PA, he's done and his time is up!

[sherrzinpa]

Yeah without a doubt... 2010 couldn't come soon enough

[obamagirl1968]

His retirement has been long overdue.

[Leon72]

Arlen "magic bullet" Specter is a clown.

[chicagoike]

What this really means is that he couldn't get any other senator to go along with his sinister plot. You loose Spector.

[NCYvonne]

OMG, this is why I {heart} Pat Leahy!

[PoliticalAmazon]

Well you didn't expect a conservative not to go along with everyone else in his flock, did you?

[PallinAround]

Ha! Didn't take you long to roll over did it, Arlen? You're an old dog and you need to be put down, figuratively, of course.

[Chlowina]

Arlen Arlen Arlen.... too late. We PA peeps have your number. Too late to back down. Damage done.

[basschakra]

yeah, they are going after HOLDER 'cause they know HOLDER is coming after them!!!!

[Catothemuchyounger]

Have you considered that they are now backing off going after Holder because they have been reassured that he is NOT going after them?

[LucieLee]

Clearly this GOPer opposition has the mark of Karl Rove. Then again Sen. Specter has the reputation of saying one thing then doing another.....

[dbdzen]

Ha! Where's the wind blowing Senator Specter?