CNN

The GOP donkey show continues.

@ beth

There's a difference between realistic fear and prudent preparation based thereon, and the excessive perseveration of fear employed by the GOP to cow the public. The moment you've started living in fear every moment, is the moment the terrorists have won. The GOP doesn't care because it sees the fear as an opportunity to get votes. What they don't get is taht this is an ideological war and he who abandons his ideology first is the one who has lost: so far, in light of fear jsutifying our abuse of prisoners' human rights and the Constitutional rights of our citizenry, WE'RE THE ONES LOSING.

@ beth

There's a difference between realistic fear and prudent preparation based thereon, and the excessive perseveration of fear employed by the GOP to cow the public.

Look, I wasn't happy with the Mark Rich pardon, and this FALN thing doesn't sound so great either. Not that I (or any of you) have all the facts . . .

But these were Bill Clinton's decisions. And, guess what? Bill Clinton is no longer President.

I do not think everyone that was in Clinton's chain of command should be precluded from future appointments.

BIG PICTURE: Eric Holder is a superb attorney who was a superb federal judge and will be a superb Attorney General.

Look at Iraq, now that is 'playing Russian roulette' with American lives. I am sure the GOP found this citizen to testify at the confirmation hearing. Give it up Repugs!

KENM – YOU SAID IT!

It's pretty amazing the R's are talking as much as they are considering how badly they are falling apart.

I'm fine with the repubs talking – keep digging that grave....just keep digging.....

@KJ: you should indeed "know how the beltway works", because you and your ilk have been milking it for so long now.....where was your disdain for its workings while the [R]s were in charge, and they were picking people with much more egregious backrounds than EH? Many of you neo-tards who voted for Bush, and then went for the trifecta of failure by voting for McCain, are now actually routing for Obama to fail as part of an apoplectic, hyper-partisan spin-game to promote fairytales that might help you justify the abject failure of Bush and the entire [R] party. What pathetic rightwing hypocrisy, to have cheered on the egregious malfeasence we were all subjected to for the last 8 years, and then to dare comment on other peoples' backgrounds as they come in to fix YOUR mess. You neo-tards have no standing to comment on EH.

Of course the son of a victim shouldnt be at the hearing. From everything Ive read I find holder the be qualified. There's never going to be pleasing everyone.

Matt, I am afraid of another 9/11 everyday, and its not because of the GOP shoving it down our necks. It's because the threat is real. Hundreds of plots to attack us have been broken up. I hope that people are constantly reminded of it so no one forgets what happened to 3,000 innocent people that day.

@ nom deplume, esq.

Gonzalez twisted the interpretation of the Constitution and other operative legal documents to aid and abet Bush and Cheney in torturing prisoners, wiretapping the american public without warrants and firing Us attorneys for political reasons WHILE HE WAS AG. All Holder has done is admit he interpreted the 2nd Amendment differently the the recent Supreme Court decision (which was, btw, 5-4 along political lines), but acknowledged he would abide by the ruling. He twisted nothing. And this nonsense about FALN is total garbage. The presidential power to pardon or grant clemency is absolute. NOTHING Holder could have done would have stopped it, nor was he even necessary for making it happen.

vic, Clinton pardoned them because Hillary was running for NY senate and they wanted the PR vote.
Clinton pardoned Rich because he wanted the money from his wife.
It's called politics.

Susan wrote

January 16th, 2009 12:44 pm ET

As usual, CNN has failed to report the entire story. How could anyone make a reasonable decision based on how little this story gives us? The "news is not the news anymore–it's speculation and spin. Can't trust FOX and can't trust CNN. Too bad.

I AGREE 100% SUSAN! CNN has been spreading lies just like FOX News ever since Hillary screwed up her campaign!

"Look, these FALN people were a minor group of miscreants who saw their movement fizzle after the 70's, so releasing them twenty years later was not the end of the world."

So if Al Qaeda fizzles, we should just forget about them?

No confirmation for Holder!

He'll become the AG, he is the perfect Democrat to fill the job. Soft on crime, soft on terrorism. He fits well with the rest of the plank.

He is the most qualified cabinet appointee ... by far and he will be confirmed.

So glad to see the GOP has stuck to it's Fear & Smear tactics ... did they learn NOTHING from the election.

Eric Holder will be confirmed. I guarantee it. The Republicans better look out because as America's top cop, they've got way too many skeletons in their closet to be pissing him off.

@ Larry, spend 5 minutes reading the whole story on google before you spout this 'they are reformed' nonsense. They wouldn't even support solving other unsolved FALN bombings. Doesn't sound too 'reformed' to me.

vic January 16th, 2009 12:35 pm ET
So, why did Clinton pardon them?? Whats the rest of the story?

Vic, Hillary was running for US Seante in NY where there are 1.4 million Hispanic voters. Hispanic groups favored the pardon. Get it now? Clemency for votes.

He will be confirmed and we all know why.

Some people are wrapped a little too tight.

A politician playing Russian Roulette with American lives....hmmm.

In 4 days we will be getting rid of one of those....

Connor hardly seems to hold an unbiased opinion. There is a difference between rashly demanding people pay for a loved one's death and a considered decision based upon the letter of the law. Similar reasons rationalize the American system of an impartial jury.

It would really be a welcomed CHANGE if for once during a confirmation hearing that Senators could stick to the issues of policy, instead of rehashing decades old incidents that have no bearing on today. Republicans seem to only want to play politics on the road to proving what hypocrites they truly are.

@Blame Clinton! January 16th, 2009 12:35 pm ET
Why the heck are they blaming Holder? Correct me if I'm wrong but the Deputy Attorney General CAN NOT issue a pardon! That decision and therefore BLAME lies with the President: Bill Clinton!
They are afraid of this man because they know he will find where the bodies are burried in the Justice Department and that has them scared sh**less!*****you are SOOOOO RIGHT !!!!!

Man are there some stupid people in this country. Get over it right wingers. Holder is extremely qualified and should be confirmed. If you have a problem with the clemency or pardon (take your pick) take it up with Bill Clinton. While you are at it, talk the the other ex presidents too.

ALBERTO GONZALES THATS ALL WE HAVE TO SAY, HOLDER IS 1000 TIMES BETTER THAT HIM OR ANYBODY ELSE THOSE CROOKED REPUBLICANS CAN COME UP WITH HOLDER WILL BE CONFIRMED !!!!

After raising the bar to ridiculous heights for republicans, the Dems want a mulligan on their own picks. Tax mistakes by Kerik=bad; tax mistakes by Geithner=okay. Bad calls by Gonzales=bad; bad calls by Holder=okay. Twisting constitution by Gonzales=bad; twisting constitution by Holder=okay.
The best argument that the dems can muster is that their screwups aren't as bad as your screwups, so we really didn't screw up and don't have to hold ourselves to the rhetoric we hurled at the administration for the last 7 years. Or they can do what they do best and resort to calling anyone that disagrees with them a "hater."

As Fran Drescher said "talk to the hand."

As usual, CNN has failed to report the entire story. How could anyone make a reasonable decision based on how little this story gives us? The "news is not the news anymore–it's speculation and spin. Can't trust FOX and can't trust CNN. Too bad.

BTW, he WILL be confirmed. I guarantee. What I suggest to the sore losers on here is to focus on Bush and Cheney and Wolfowitz and Rove and let's see how long it is before they are held accountable for their war crimes.

He is a Democrat, and works for Bill Clinton, what do you expect?

RLE, We don't prosecute people (yet) for imaginary "war crimes". But if it does get to that then we will prosecute almost all of congress who voted to go to war.

this guy has more baggage than hillarys' pant suits

Holder is a very dangerous man for this country.
Obama knows this.

Obama's change stinks to high heaven.

You know what...we really need somone with some backbone and a better track record that we can count on. PE Obama should really consider someone else for this job. Soft on crime is not a qualificatin for US Attorney General

Gee, I thought Holder said the clemency was okay because no one was actually hurt when these terrorists bombed buildings. Let me guess – he thinks it's the victims' fault for being in the buildings?
Give me a break.

Obama's cabinet has problems – Clinton's husband is going to keep on taking money from governments she has to negotiate with. Geithnerd signs paperwork with the IMF stating he knows he has to pay separate taxes, 'forgets' and then says it was an innocent mistake or oversight. Richardson dropped out. Panetta, smart, nice man that he is, has absolutely no intelligence background and is going to be thrown in at the deep end. And we have people in charge of military/intelligence who have stated that those budgets should be slashed by 25%.

God help us all.

Why the heck are they blaming Holder? Correct me if I'm wrong but the Deputy Attorney General CAN NOT issue a pardon! That decision and therefore BLAME lies with the President: Bill Clinton!

They are afraid of this man because they know he will find where the bodies are burried in the Justice Department and that has them scared sh**less!

So, why did Clinton pardon them?? Whats the rest of the story?

TOP RANKING MEN OF THE CLOTH LOBBIED FOR THIS CLEMENCY, NOT JUST TARGETS OF GOP HATRED LIKE CARTER AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS.

At this point, I think the ones who are really trying to terrorize the American public are the Republicans with their fear tactics and "be scared of muslims and terrorism so we can control what you think more easily" nonsense. It's a real concern for sure, but the 9/11-terrorism card is so overused you can spot it in the deck at this point.

Umm.... how about a little more info CNN? I mean, I know these people were convicted on bomb-making charges, but were they really guilty? Why were they offered a pardon? Nice that you left that part out of your "story"...

It's difficult for me to be in favor of Holder's appointment. His recommendation to release terrorists isn't what I would be looking for in an attorney general. Claiming those in the Bush administration who violated the Constitution shouldn't be investigated and/or brought to justice because it's just a "policy difference" is a huge problem. That's a willingness to play word games and ignore the law of the land. Not good for an attorney general. Surely there is another qualified candidate.

eric holder is unfit to hold any position in this government and so is obama.

Puerto Rico.....Puerto Rico

It's difficult for me to be in favor of Holder's appointment. His public service is littered with severe flaws. Recommendation to release terrorists because popular names say so isn't what I would be looking for in an attorney general. Claiming those in the Bush administration who violated the Constitution shouldn't be investigated and/or brought to justice because it's just a "policy difference" are red flags. That is a willingness to play more word games and ignore the law of the land. Not good for an attorney general. Surely there is another qualified candidate.

Sounds like another person that can't think for his/herself.

I only hope he will prosecute the Bush admin for their war crimes.

How about his connection to terriorist when defending Chiquita Banana Corp. in Columbia. The MSM is not writing a word about that.

Are you people so blind that you can't see where obama is taking this country.

Let's see, a group that crossed the line in protest of an action they deem illegal committed by their government (ahhh, something the US funds groups in other countries to do all the time). Years (many years later), the group members have reformed and are producted members of society and they are given a pardon....Decision made, not everyone is going to happy about it...but it was a decision. Instead of looking at this in such a narrow view, how about looking at what these members have done since and use that to judge was this a good or bad decision.

Holder was manipulated by the powers to be.......he is not "his own man." And if you can be "used once,"--you can be used again.

Carter in general condemned Clinton's infamous 'pardongate' at the end of his term. He only supported the FALN clemency if the terrorists renounced violence, which they failed to do until weeks of negotiations with the Clinton administration. They also refused to help solve other unsolved FALN bombings, which is standard in any pardon or clemency situation. The FBI was on record as beiing against it too, and the Senate and House voted overwhelmingly in condemning it.

Eric Holder is very quallified for the job and the GOP bringing in people from random events opposing him shows that they want to be percieved as tough and thinking of the country first when the last 2 attorney generals they appointed were a disgrace to their position.

Joseph.....My thoughts and prayers are with you. It would be ashame if this worthless man got the appointment. Look how well the cCinton administration did fighting terror. Tanzania, Khobar Towers, USS Cole, Trade Center 1 and the list goes on.

Liberals are nieve and there only response 'We were respected in the world" "The economy was great" (only because of the .com boom they dont get it check the economy when Bill was leaving) during the Clinton times.

Also, when you liberals refer to a useless war from bush what about Somalia and Kosovo????

Do the neo-cons ever deal with issues that are not 33 years old? Maybe they should deal in issues that took place in say the last decade?

Clemency is NOT the same as a pardon and of course Holder did not believe in "the cause". While I sympathize for his loss this is a stupid accusation.

What was Holder's job and responsibility relative to Clinton's?

`

"Holder also noted that there were "a lot of people in support of that clemency request," including former President Jimmy Carter and Coretta Scott King, the wife of Martin Luther King, Jr."

A thinking man, y'know, would have taken a look, y'know, at that crowd & thought twice, y'know, about granting those murders and, 'y'know, thugs, clemency. Y'know?

But after all, y'know, he was just doing his, y'know, master Bill Clinton's, bidding. By the way, y'know, I wonder how high the bidding got, y'know, on clemency for this bunch? follow the money. Y'know?

'

This is why victims' families aren't allowed to sit on juries – they're not objective. Vengeance does not equal justice. Having this man testify is an absurd and shameless stunt. "Soft on terror?" What a joke. Nobody's soft on terror.

Come on Obama apologists, time to come out and answer for your "messiahs" choice here by hammering someone who was affected by HOLDERS POOR JUDGEMENT one Joseph Connor, the son of a victim of a 1975 New York City restaurant bombing by the FALN or Armed Forces of National Liberation.

He is simply a human being (not a Republican truth teller) who testified during the second day of confirmation hearings for Holder that the former federal judge and prosecutor was "soft on terror" and, as a result, should be "disqualified" for the position of attorney general.

Time to bash this poor VICTIM in the name of fawning over everything that is Obambi in 1, 2, 3...........

Army field manual for the CIA ???? I'm just glad I don't live in NY, LA, Chicago or Miami......

Ah, the grand old fear factor. It can be used to derail even the best of them.

I see, so the AG's only qualifications now should be his ability to act as an internment officer with a huge appetite for punishment? Look, these FALN people were a minor group of miscreants who saw their movement fizzle after the 70's, so releasing them twenty years later was not the end of the world. By this Connor guy's logic captured soldiers during wartime should be imprisoned forever. Most people who are up in arms over this issue don't even know who FALN was as of last week, so shut your mouth.

Playing Russian Roulette with American lives eh??

Hmm....what does that remind me of?? Seems like something not too long ago....

Something about a war we didnt have to wage........?

I'm sorry, but Eric Holder isn't a war criminal......but our entire current administration is full of them, so let's put a little focus over there, shall we?

This is the change we have been promised, this guy should be in jail for the pardens like Timothy Gietner not getting promotions. Change from honorable president to a person who does not know somebody who is not a criminal.

This guy is soft and was a horrible pick, move on to someone qualified. He has made too many mistaskes in the past.

Mr. Holder, you only granted clemency to the FALN members because of how much you were paid. Am I'm not just talking about $$. Do you actually believe that ALL of us Americans are naive??

Your record speaks for itself and it's not great either...you were a terrible Attorney and you'll make an even worse Attorney General. Of course, you will eventually be sworn in as Attorney General because we know how the beltway works......

Cardinal of NY and Archbishop of PR both lobbied for clemency, not just people GOPers hate, like Jimmy Carter and black people.

The cabinet select & vetting proces have been disappointing. However, this complaint is a stretch.

So Holder's response is "all the cool kids are doing it."

There is no way that you are going to find a nominee that everyone is happy with. Every attorney is going to have some families that are disappointed with a decision that the attorney made during some point in their career. I believe that we need to look at the attorney's overall record – not just one case as Mr. Connor is.

Hey CNN, stop failing to mention the cardinal of NY and the archbishop of PR, who both lobbied for clemency. You're only leaving it out so the GOP bible-thumpers will be as angry as possible in the blog.

Must of been competing with Bill Ayers, Obama's friend. Not saying Obama has any ties to Ayers during that era, but they are friendly today.

Wow...I see the GOP jsut can't loosen it's grasping stranglehold over the 9/11-style fear tactics. Who's really terrorizing the country with it at this point? That's right. The GOP is.

i hope he's not confirmed. his views on marijuana laws is too draconian.

Individual citizens are allowed to testify at a confirmation hearing?