Senate confirms Holder as attorney general

by 158 | February 2, 2009 at 03:49 pm

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This was expected but it

is still good news. President

Obama needs to get his full

team in place as soon as

possible.

The Senate voted to confirm Eric Holder as attorney general Monday evening, making President Barack Obama's choice the nation's first African-American to hold the job.

Though debate quickly turned partisan when his chief supporter denounced Republicans who sought a pledge not to prosecute intelligence agents who participated in harsh interrogations, the Senate still confirmed Holder as expected.

It s good he got

a lot of republican

support.

Despite the partisan beginning, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, said Holder made mistakes but was well-qualified for the job and should be confirmed.

The Senate voted 75-21 for Holder's confirmation.

Holder's confirmation will trigger reviews — and changes — to the most controversial Bush administration policies, from interrogation tactics to terrorism trials and warrantless surveillance.