Holder: I 'made mistakes' in Marc Rich pardon incident
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/15/art.holder2.gi.jpg caption=" Holder is testifying on Capitol Hill."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - During his confirmation hearing Thursday, Attorney General designate Eric Holder conceded that he "made mistakes" during the Marc Rich pardon incident that were "not typical" of his conduct over the bulk of his career.
Holder said he "made assumptions that turned out not to be true" during the Rich pardon process, which turned out to be the "most intense" and "searing" experience he "ever had as a lawyer."
Watch: 'I've made mistakes,' Holder says
Holder said that he learned from the Rich pardon incident and will "be a better attorney general" as a result.
One of the lessons of the Rich case, Holder said, was the need for "full consultation with all lawyers in the pardon process." Holder said there was a need to improve the pardon process, which seems to experience a "deterioration... at the end of every administration."
Holder, in response to a question from Sen. Arlen Specter, said he did not recommend that former Clinton White House counsel Jack Quinn, who served as Rich's lawyer during the pardon process, circumvent the Justice Department and go "straight to the White House" with the pardon application.
Holder admitted he made a mistake by being inadequately informed about Rich's criminal background.
How can you hold it against him for admitting mistakes, when our outgoing President just did the same?
Holder admitted he made a mistake by being inadequately informed about Rich's criminal background."
I seem to remember hearing about someone else being "inadequately informed", but it was regarding the case for WMD's in Iraq. How soon we forget-is no one going to jump on this? He is making excuses for himself about his incompetence. But everyone in the Obama administration will overlook this "mistake" just like the "mistake" of the Treasury Secretary nominee. Give me a break–don't confirm this crook or any of the others Obama has nominated!
Eric Holder is a disgrace. I can't believe Obama picked him.
He "wasn't aware of Marc Rich's criminal background" – is he kidding?
Every federal agency knew of Rich's criminal background and every agency was against his pardon. That's why he had to go directly to the White House. Rich's wife Denise was/is a large donor to Clintons. Another quid pro quo deal.
Furthermore, it was Eric Holder's JOB to know the criminal background of the people he's recommending for pardons!
A,,,,,,,,,,,,,,BIG,,,,,,,,,,,,,,MISTAKE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,WHICH,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,LED,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
TO,,,,,,,,,,,,,,THE,,,,,,,,,,,,PARDON,,,,,,,,,,,,OF,,,,,,,,,,,,,A,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,SCAMMER,,,,,,,,,,,
SECOND,,,,,,,,,,,,,TO,,,,,,,,,,MADOFF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Hmmm. Comparing an ill-advised pardon to Bush going into a war. Yeah. Apples to apples. How many people died and how many trillions of dollars were caused by the Rich pardon?
Tim,
Its not about comparing Holder to Bush. Its about selecting the best AG for the job. The Rich pardon was a disgrace and Holder should never have allowed it to move forward. In my opinion the Marc Rich pardon set the tone for many of the corporate crimes we have seen in recent years from the likes of Ken Lay and Bernie Madoff. If we really want the CHANGE everyone keeps preaching then we must hold our leaders in Washington to a high standard, not a standard that is simply "not as bad as" the Bush administration.
REMEMBER JANET RENO WAS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND HOLDER WORKED FOR HER AND IS TAKING FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT PLACING ANY BLAME ON RENO.
I would rather see people in high governmental positiions who are willing to admit that they are capable of error rather than egomanics who can't or won't admit when they made a mistake.
Let he who is without sin among ye cast the first stone.
Viginia – Regarding your post....
"I seem to remember hearing about someone else being "inadequately informed", but it was regarding the case for WMD's in Iraq. How soon we forget—is no one going to jump on this? "
Have you taken your Meds this moming? You're comparing the acts of a guy convicted of tax evasion to that of a man who started an uncalled for war in which thousands of Americans (and countless Iraqis who we saought to liberate) died and our economy went in the toilet!!
And by the way, BUSH's answer to to his mistake is he's only sorry there were no WMDs!!!!! In other words, he's looking for a way to justify his reckless behavior.
I'm convinced that you are really not informed!!
Honest mistakes---well, we all make them. Holder's claims he made mistakes in the pardon of Mark Rich--those mistakes are not honest mistakes---he dropped the ball on the RIch pardon, however, he is not libable--if he was representing a client and practiced this kind of law--well you fill in the details.
Holder will be just great.... every criminal will get a fair shake, and maybe even freedom. That's what the left wing wants.....
After the way Bernie Madoff is being treated who cares about Mark Rich. The rich never pay anyway. It was the president not Holder that pardon him, after all we know form this prez he was not going to take advise from anyone anyway. GET OVER IT!
Don't blame Holder for the Rich pardon. Blame the man who pardoned him, Bill Clinton. Hello?
Nice to see the dittoheads here today. (Of course, they'll probably start calling themselves "Outraged Democrat" or whatever.)
My only hope is that, when he gets in there – as he will and should – Holder prosecutes Alberto Gonzales for politicizing the government and trampling on the rule of law.
and refreshing from the experience of the last 8 years
Holder was also part of the Clinton DoJ that resisted offers to capture or kill Osama bin Laden in the 1990s, fearing such an attack would upset our international allies. And we know how well THAT worked out.
Yeh, Yeh, Yeh , but as long as your a socialist democrat your absolved!
BUSH MADE 8 YEARS OF MISTAKES & WE
CAN'T GET HIM TO ADMIT A ONE OF THEM.
I GUESS WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES BUT BUSH.
So this is "Change"? Anybody want to buy a bridge?
In moderation again I see.
He may have made mistakes, but Obama never will make single mistake.
Like it or not, Article II, Sec. 2 creates an ABSOLUTE power in the Chief Executive to pardon convicted or accused criminals. While the AG's office can make recommendations, it can't stop it if the President wishes to grant it.
Those of you trying to turn this into a conspiracy should go back to watching your X-Files reruns.
If we are supposed to blame clinton for Marc Rich pardon, then where is the responsibility of an Attorney General? Is he going to be a rubber stamp of Obama? Do we need people like him to be Attorney General?
back during the democratic primaries i sent out several blogs regarding H.clintons corruption --SHE IS GUILTY OF THE RICO ACT BY CONSPIRING WITH JUDGE WILLIAMS OF VALATIE N.Y.(HE REFUSES TO DO A JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE BEATING (SEVERAL TIMES)BY THE DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS IN COLUMBIA CTY. NY) I . I HAD GONE TO CLINTONS OFFICE TO TRY TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST JUDGE WILLIAMS ,SGT BRIAN GARDNER
AND THE REST OF THE DEPUTIES .. BUT 45 MINUTES LATER I WAS SURROUNDED BY THE ALBANY POLICE AND HANDCUFFED AND BROUGHT TO ALBANY MED CENTER ................. AND SO THE FACTS REGARDING CLINTON'S CONSPIRICY INTO THE COVERUP OF 1ST DEGREE PREMEDITATED ATTEMPTED MURDER WILL CONTINUE ..... SHE ONCE SAID THAT IF SHE WERE ELECTED PRESIDENT SHE WOULD GET RID OF THE....EVIL ONES .... IN THE GOVERNMENT .... SHE IS QUITE BEWILDERED AS WHAT TO DO(DONT EXPECT TO MUCH FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AS MOST OF OUR CITIZENS ARE NOT A MEMBER OF ( " HER FAMILY$$$$$)
SHE OBIVIOUSLY DIDNT WIN THE PRESIDENTIAL SPOT ,GOOD THING,,AT LEAST BUSH LOOKS US INTHE EYES WHEN HE SCREWS US TO HELP HIS RICH C.E.O. FAMILY .. CLINTON IS DEVIOUS AND MORE DECEPTIVE THAN BUSH SHE HAS SOMEBODY DO HER DIRTY WORK AND LIES THROUGH HER TEETH WHILE QUIETLY SCREWING OUR COUNTRY
BILL
has he ever been to terrorist training camp with the FALN?