Thursday, September 13, 2007

Senate Democrats to the Clown: Ted Olson will not be confirmed

And we shall see if they put their money where their mouth is...

From Truthout:

The Associated Press
Wednesday 12 September 2007

Washington - Senate Democrats will block Ted Olson from succeeding Alberto Gonzales as attorney general if President Bush nominates him, Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday.

"Ted Olson will not be confirmed," Reid, D-Nev., said in a written statement. "I intend to do everything I can to prevent him from being confirmed as the next attorney general."

The comment gave weight to Republican warnings that Olson, a former solicitor general, would face brutal confirmation hearings and that the White House can't afford a fight now over who will head the troubled federal law enforcement agency.

"It would be unfortunate to nominate someone who can't be confirmed," Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. and a member of the Judiciary Committee, said earlier in the day.

The White House said President Bush would send up an "exceptionally qualified nominee."

"The nominee will have expertise in the law, a commitment to fighting crime, and an understanding of the threats we face today and the legal tools needed to combat those threats," said deputy White House press secretary Tony Fratto. "We hope the Senate will set aside partisan politics long enough to confirm a nominee - for the good of the Justice Department and the country."

There had been no indication that Bush had settled on Olson to succeed Gonzales, whose last day on the job is Friday.


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