Leahy, GOP Endorsers Stump for Holder

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) highlighted attorney general nominee Eric Holder’s bipartisan support today, along with two of Holder’s GOP endorsers, on a conference call with reporters.

Former Sen. John Danforth (R-Mo.) and former Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.) both expressed support for Holder’s nomination on the call, which was part of Leahy’s push to confirm Holder as the nation’s top law enforcement officer.

“I want to make it clear that he is supported by both Republicans and Democrats law enforcement and victims rights groups,” Leahy said.

“I am very positive about Eric Holder’s nomination,” Danforth said, stressing that he formed good impressions of Holder while serving as special counsel to investigate the FBI’s siege of David Koresh’s Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas.

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), the committee’s top Republican and a friend of Leahy, has raised concerns and hinted that Holder’s confirmation process will be contentious. Last week, Leahy rolled out a list of 93 groups and individuals who endorse Holder’s nomination, seeking to combat GOP opposition.

Holder’s first confirmation hearing will be held Thursday.

On today’s call, Leahy drew an offhand parallel between Specter’s concerns and GOP adviser Karl Rove’s opposition to Holder’s nomination.

“I think Senator Specter has always portrayed himself as a very independent person, and it may just be coincidence that his positions are those of Karl Rove, and I believe it is just coincidence,” Leahy said after mentioning Rove’s opposition.

Leahy said he will speak with Holder, presumably about the confirmation process, later today or tomorrow.