Holder to face tough confirmation hearings

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General-designate Eric Holder is facing growing opposition from Republicans as his confirmation hearings approach, observers say.

A vocal chorus of GOP lawmakers see Holder's confirmation hearings, set to start next week, as an opportunity to warn U.S. President-elect Barack Obama not to move the country too far to the left on national security and judicial nominations, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

Holder supporters say they fear grueling confirmation hearings picking apart episodes from his past while serving in the administration of former U.S. President Bill Clinton could interfere with Obama's effort to restore confidence in the Justice Department, shaken by accusations of political cronyism leveled at former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who resigned 16 months ago and was replaced by Michael Mukasey.

Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., this week in a floor speech said Holder may be guilty of the same thing, saying that under Clinton, Holder "appeared to be serving the interest of his superiors" rather than heeding recommendations from career Justice Department lawyers, the Post said.

Holder's role in approving the legality of a presidential pardon granted by Clinton to fugitive financier Marc Rich in 2001 is sure to be examined, the newspaper said.