Eric Holder Confirmation Hearing: Live Updates (VIDEO)

Eric Holder Jr. acknowledged past mistakes as he braced for a Republican grilling in his confirmation hearing, his path to becoming the nation's first African-American attorney general rockier than President-elect Barack Obama's other Cabinet choices.

Republicans saw the hearing as their best early forum for showing that as a minority party, they're still relevant despite a Democratic sweep in November.

Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, complained Thursday that Republicans had insufficient time to examine Holder's record before the hearing on his nomination to be attorney general.

Specter said the public had "understandable disdain for Washington's political bickering."

Holder sought to head off some of that criticism by picking retired Sen. John Warner, a well-known and popular Republican from Virginia, to introduce him to the Senate panel.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, called for Holder's swift confirmation, saying Holder has good character and a long history of service.

Holder also issued a clear answer to a question that two previous attorney generals have deftly avoided. He said unequivocally that waterboarding, used by the CIA in interrogations, is torture.

The LA Times reports that the GOP also plans to use Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich against Holder:

As Eric H. Holder Jr. gears up to go before the Senate Judiciary Committee today for his confirmation as attorney general, some Republicans say they will question him aggressively about whether his ties to Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich are more extensive than Holder has acknowledged.

Story continues below

advertisement

GOP staffers investigating Holder's background say that although he has downplayed his connections to Blagojevich, new information suggests Holder did legal work for Blagojevich on an investigation into the controversial award of a state casino gambling license by the Illinois Gaming Board.

Holder's opening statement did not address the specific issues of character and independence that Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee have raised.

But it does set a conciliatory tone, with Holder asserting he made more good decisions than bad ones.

"My decisions were not always perfect" while serving as the top deputy to Clinton administration Attorney General Janet Reno, Holder said. "I made mistakes. I hope that enough of my decisions were correct."

He continued, "But with the benefit of hindsight, I can see my errors clearly and I can tell you how I have learned from them."

Holder has apologized for not making sure he was better informed about the pardon of Rich, which had strong political overtones because his ex-wife was a major Democratic donor.

The committee scheduled the hearing in the ornate caucus room in Congress' Russell Office Building. It has been the site for many historic hearings, including investigations of the Watergate break-in and the Iran-Contra affair, and the Supreme Court nomination of Clarence Thomas.

Comments

[ritenow]

When will PA finally put Spector out to pasture.

His time is long, long pass.

I love the Repubs selective memory.

[FORLOMC]

An actual hearing with a witness that can answer a question while telling the Truth. Is waterboarding Torture? Answer: YES. Now that wasn't so hard was it.
Now that is change I can believe in.

[Jacqueline3]

I mean some of the questions are not even relevant. Eric holder is holding his own. Intelligence coming to the WH, I cannot wait!

[Jacqueline3]

These hearing are really stupid.

[oxygen]

dreams do come true

[brynnrose thorn]

Oh Gawd, my Senator, Cornyn, just tried to trap Holder with the hypothetical "ticking time b*mb" Jack Bauer scenario. Holder didn't bite.

[Abrafo]

smart answers to those tricky questions about waterboarding

[brynnrose thorn]

Holder just stated that he will not allow rendition on prisioners to other countries for torture.

[crazylady]

He's smart enough not to tell the terrorist by way of the media what the administration would really do when it comes down to it. That's why Obama picked him.
You really don't need to know what the goverment is doing to the guys and gals that are infiltrating the U.S. to kill our families.
He's got my vote!

[WyomingJack]

Spector complains that they "had insufficient time to examine Holder's record before the hearing on his nomination to be attorney general." And then says the public had "understandable disdain for Washington's political bickering.­" My question is, how much more time did Spector need to do more political bickering.

We're talking torture, war crimes, a President and Vice President who are obviously guilty and Spector is concerned about some decision Holder made years ago. Holden made a decision and whether you like it or not, whether you agree with it or not, he made it. It was legal. It is done with. It is trivial in light of all the troubles this nation faces and the challenges ahead.

But Spector has a talent for taking bickering to a new level of political pettiness. Arlen, it is time to grow up and stop embarrassing yourself.

[chopenhopper]

Sure hope this guy gets in. it's great. Obama doesn't have to say he'll go after or won't go after anybody. He can sit back and know that Holder will do it. Get this guy in so we can lock the others up.

[lafrance]

Talking Points memo says that Holder is being used as a pinata for Gonzales. His crimes still hang over them and they are taking it out on Holder.
Seems that the name of game in general.
The press, the congress, ect., is taking their failings for doing their jobs while Bush is in power out on the Obama administration and it holds true for both sides.
Beating up on Obama and his people is not going to erase the failures of the press and congress over the last 8 years and just tick off the voters for what they will see as unfair. Especially because they totally rolled over for Bush.

[vote-obama]

forget those old and slow senators..­.i'll go ahead and confirm your nomination sir and i dare those fools to say otherwise. yeah, watch them follow my lead.

[Abrafo]

LOL

[monicaangela]

Hey streak of rin tin tin, this one's for you :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woLQI8X2R6Y

[streak of rin tin tin]

I like MB...

Smart and sexy.

In a good way.

[loveobamas]

She's Smart,But I Don't Like Johnathan Capehart Most Of The Time He Don't Know What He's Talking About.

[streak of rin tin tin]

I think we're all a little guilty of that:-))

[MorningJoeMikaIsMarried]

Neither Michelle nor Capehart impresses me; they seem to say what ever think the host wants to hear.

[vshdst]

MB and JC are smarter than any of the AGs in the Bush admin.