After the troubled downfall of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who resigned a few weeks ago, President Barack Obama’s decision for who to fill the post with has been under a stunning level of scrutiny. But news released Friday reveals that there is one woman who is a top candidate to take his place: Loretta E. Lynch, the top federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, according to the New York Times .
The recent heavy hit Obama has taken because of the midterm elections could be soften by what the New York Times says is relatively low-risk nomination for him because of several special factors — namely a lack of close ties with his administration. Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez and Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. have already been tarnished as nominees because of a perceived cozy relationship with Barack.
“A Lynch nomination might carry substantial political benefits for a White House recalibrating its strategy after Republicans took over the Senate. Indeed, Ms. Lynch is a two-time United States attorney who has twice been confirmed by the Senate by acclamation – in 2000 and again in 2010. She has no personal ties to Mr. Obama or his policies, freeing her of the political baggage that has weighed down other candidates once thought to have an edge in the process… The nomination would also allow the president, questioned in recent days about what he might do differently after the electoral thrashing by Republicans, to bring a fresh face into an administration many have criticized as too insular.”
Senator Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican who will now be majority leader after Tuesday’s elections, has already stated that he will not be fastidious, and will make sure any possible nomination for the Attorney General post is up to his satisfaction after what he calls a disastrous term with Holder, an opinion openly held by many conservatives.
“I will be scrutinizing the president’s replacement nominee to ensure the Justice Department finally returns to prioritizing law enforcement over partisan concerns.”
However, Obama has continued to extol Holder even after his resignation, saying that he is a man who uses the law to improve the lives of Americans.
“I chose him to serve as attorney general because he believes, as I do, that justice is not just an abstract theory — it’s a living and breathing principle,That’s why I made him America’s lawyer, the people’s lawyer.”
What do you think of Loretta Lynch as the next Attorney General?
[Image via Wikipedia]