Holder: I Can't Beat Obama On Basketball Court But I Can "Hang With Him"

A lighter moment during Eric Holder's confirmation came early on in the proceedings, when the Attorney General nominee compared his prowess on the basketball court to the much renowned skills of the president-elect.

Asked by the Senator Herb Kohl to beat Obama in a game of one-on-one (Holder played basketball in high school), the A.G.-nominee reminded the crowd in the Russell Senate Office building that he faced a pretty large age and experience gap.

"Senator Kohl, he's ten years younger than me," said Holder. "He plays a lot more frequently than I do. Having said that, I got a New York City game. I come from the city that produced Connie Hawkins, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and Tiny Archibald. I learned how to play ball at P.S. 127 in Queens. If you give me a little time and space to get back in shape, I think I can hang with him. I don't think I will ever be in the position to defeat him, nor do I think it would be wise to do so."

At which point, Chairman Patrick Leahy jumped in to declare: "That is the first time that question has ever been asked."

Comments

[eahce]

Did anyone mention that he represented Chaquita in Latin America who it is known used death squads against peasants. I find that fact morally reprehensible.

[Ajegunle]

AND DID ANYONE MENTION THAT THE REPUBS THAT PRACTISED TORTUR ARE ALL GOING TO JAIL????

[eahce]

When?????????

[SayLessDoMore]

So, . . . you're saying he should put a baseball team together to challenge Obama?

[eahce]

Guess your good with death squads.

[GranE]

LOVE Eric Holder. Smart, good looking, and funny. Great combination, but don't ever underestimate the man. His plate is full with rebuilding the Justice Dept. and it will be an interesting time for us as we try to salvage what is left of our Constitution; deal with Gitmo; deal with Wall Steet looters; deal with Gonzales; on and on we go America!

[plymkr]

WHAAAAT?

Come on now, this is a serious position and this kind of questioning is only going to give people reasons to question the credibility and seriousness of the Confirmation process.

This question could have been asked in private!

[AsianAfricanAMERICAN]

John Kerry joked with Senator Clinton about their failed attempts at the Presidency. This lack of seriousness did not cause one ounce of drama...why should this?

[CaliTLC]

Eric Holder brought his "A" game to Sen. Specter, who was clearly outmatched by Judge Holder. On a lighter note: Eric Holder is F-O-I-N-E. Love the mustache. Another tall, handsome, brilliant black man to gaze upon for the next 8 years. (Forgive my digression but he and President Elect Obama are BOTH so easy on the eyes AND ears.)

[gcallaghan]

I'd gladly gaze upon even a hogbutt-looking AG all day long provided he understands the constitution and believes in the rule of law. What an imporovement.

[AsianAfricanAMERICAN]

To the writer of this blog:

Maybe you should mention in your headline that Senator Kohl is the owner of the NBA Franchise Milwaukee Bucks, so that people will stop coming up with their own theories as to why this simple light-hearted question was asked.

Or was it your intention to stir the pot a little bit?

[AsianAfricanAMERICAN]

Matter-of-fact...you didn't mention it at all in your article. Hmmmm

[robXdion]

So. . . . . he's trying to recruit talent in case this confirmation doesn't work out for Holder? Regardless of what he owns or does posing the question in this situation can seem patronizing and stereotypical. Holder is an intelligent and capable black man. He should be questioned if he has any desire to OWN a franchise himself rather than facetious hints implying he can play for one.

[AsianAfricanAMERICAN]

Sorry...IMHO I don't see it that way.

I see it as a physically blind Senator that has a passion for basketball asking a personal friend of the President Elect, who also has a passion for basketball, a simple light hearted question, that's it. There was plenty of time to get to more serious matters.

It's obvious Senator Holder is intelligent. Everybody in that room knew it. Big0ts are going to have there fun anyways, so why feed the stereotype? If he asked about his golf game woulud that cause a stir? Doubt it. By the way, even being asked to OWN a franchise can be taken the wrong way. As if he has to like Basketball.

Anyways, I do hear you. I'm not immune to facetious hints; I just don't think this was a Barrack-the-magic-negr0 moment.

[Beachrunner]

Let the beard grow, and we have Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

[HC4BO]

Who you talkin' about Willis ? ...

Shrub ? ...

[iswideopen]

Posted to wrong story; my bad.

[iswideopen]

Arlen Spector; I had instant flashbacks to the Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas hearings. I can not stand this man and his "matter of fact" arrogance. He is making a mountain out of a molehill. As I understood it, Eric Holder answered most of these questions in some previous hearing under oath. What's up with you, Spector? Don't make this into a mess you can't take the heat for. It won't be pretty.

[jean22]

"Arlen Spector; I had instant flashbacks to the Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas hearings. I can not stand this man and his "matter of fact" arrogance."

My sentiments exactly!

[obamagal]

It was a great moment of levity and put a smile on my face.

[BarackstarObama]

Holder could be the twin of Warren Moon. LOL

[CaliTLC]

Both are very handsome but they don't really look alike.

[BarackstarObama]

I'm sure he's good at hoops, but Holder is a dead-ringer for former hall of fame QB Warren Moon. LOL

[Lemmy]

Glad to see the important questions are being asked.

[AsianAfricanAMERICAN]

Herb Kohl is the owner of the NBA Franchise Milwaukee Bucks. I think it's pretty natural he would ask that question.

[gene2kelly]

Will be nice to have a President whose a baller, not just a wanna-be.

[LITNUP]

Didn't we have one who was impeached?

[HC4BO]

Wrong balls dude ...

[flymic]

this is NOT a big deal. and maybe be somewhat appropriate depending on past conversations or whatever.

Whats really intersting is that Many White americans do not know about proper race atticut (eg Barck the magic Negr0) its going to be an intersting four years of sensity training and growing a tougher skin. It should be fun.

Anyways, does anybody know where the party is going to be on Sunday/Monday/Tuesday night??

[redhot200822]

And you do not know grammar and spelling. Is that a black thing or just a black thing. Skip the parties and read a book.

[Jaxy]

"And you do not know grammar and spelling. Is that a black thing or just a black thing. Skip the parties and read a book."

And what kind of racial "thing" describes you, oh erudite, genius homebody that you presume to be?

[CaliTLC]

In case you haven't noticed, there is a lot to celebrate this weekend. The celebrations will take place around the GLOBE, not just in the black community. Perhaps YOU should read a book.

[AsianAfricanAMERICAN]

LMAO

It's a black thing, huh? Pot calling the blogger black.

Take it from this black guy: Your grammar and punctuation skills are lacking.

[Opt1musPr1me]

Oh my! I hope your keyboard was malfunctioning! Why do you say our Caucasian brothers and sisters have no race Etiquette? Your example left me puzzled?

[robXdion]

Because many don't. And you know very well that's true.

[CaliTLC]

Where's the party? OVER HERE!!

[Darthwave]

Nothing wrong with a little light hearted humor. I'm black and I can't a lick of basketball. No offense to our future AG but the Prez at least looks about 10 years younger. Holder looks like he probably would get winded pretty fast.

[JMBrodie]

I can't wait for the White House v (fill in the blank) basketball game. The senators are too old, but I am thinking the House might give them a game.

But one question: Will the Secret Service take down anyone who throes 'bows at BHO?

[AsianAfricanAMERICAN]

I posted this above too:

Herb Kohl is the owner of the NBA Franchise Milwaukee Bucks. I think it's pretty natural he would ask that question