Civil Rights Leaders Accuse Republican of ‘Blatant Political Posturing” in Lynch Opposition by Hazel Trice Edney

Feb. 10, 2015

Civil Rights Leaders Accuse Republican of ‘Blatant Political Posturing” in Lynch Opposition
Late February Vote is Expected

By Hazel Trice Edney

loretta lynch
Loretta Lynch, candidate for U. S. Attorney General

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Dozens of civil rights leaders have signed a letter appealing to Republican Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) to end his opposition to the candidacy of Loretta Lynch, being vetted as America’s next attorney general. Nominated by President Obama to replace the resigning Attorney General Eric Holder, Lynch would be the first Black woman to serve in the office.

A group, led by Wade Henderson, president/CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and Marc Morial, President/CEO of the National Urban League, has sent a letter, pushing to influence Vitter, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to drop what the rights leaders describe as political opposition to Lynch.

“Your opposition appears to be based wholly on politics unrelated to the nomination and fails to consider the outstanding merits of this exceptional nominee for this historic nomination,” the letter states. “As Ms. Lynch clearly demonstrated at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 28, and as some of your Republican colleagues as well as those who testified or submitted letters on her behalf confirmed, she is extraordinarily qualified for the job.”

The letter continues, “This blatant political posturing is inappropriate in general but especially so in this case because it involves a presidential cabinet nominee. Your behavior raises questions about your ability to serve fairly on the Senate Judiciary Committee… Ms. Lynch is a strong, independent prosecutor, who has twice headed one of the most important U.S. Attorney offices in the country, and who has decades of experience as a lawyer and leader.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Lynch’s nomination is slated for the last week in February. Lynch will need all Democrats and at least three Republican votes to survive the committee hearings and be considered by the whole Senate, where another battle awaits. So far, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) is the only Republican on the Committee who says he will vote for her. He says she is qualified and committed to working with Congress.

Vitter has declared his opposition to Lynch, claiming she "has established a clear anti-gun record".  Republicans are largely supported by the National Rifle Association; therefore gun ownership and usage are staple issues for right wingers. Recalling confirmation hearings, Vitter said he "didn't get any clear answers" on whether the Second Amendment and gun industries would be attacked under her leadership.

But, the letter, signed by dozens of leaders of non-partisan organizations from multiple racial backgrounds, is adamant about Lynch’s qualifications. Among other leading signers are Cornell William Brooks, NAACP; Lee A. Saunders, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees; Barbara Arnwine, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Sherrilyn Ifill, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.; Jo Ann Jenkins, AARP; Jacqueline Pata, National Congress of American Indians; Thomas A. Saenz, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund; Marcia D. Greenberger, National Women's Law Center; Michael B. Keegan, People for the American Way; Priscilla Ouchida, Japanese American Citizens League; Mark Perriello, American Association of People with Disabilities; and Michael Lieberman, Anti-Defamation League.

The adamant opposition to Lynch is somewhat unexpected. Lynch has received bi-partisan approval in her appointments as U. S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, where she has served since 2010. However, the current political climate is unique given rampant Republican opposition to President Obama’s policies, including immigration issues, where rancorous disagreements continue. However the organizational leaders, who represent thousands of voters, have vowed to continue fighting for a full Senate vote for Lynch.

The letter also accuses Vitter of political posturing for a campaign for Louisiana governor.

“Your use of this responsibility for political gain is shameless and leads us to question the integrity of your decisions. It appears that your overtly political action is connected to your effort to run for Governor of the State of Louisiana. In fact, the website set up for your gubernatorial run includes a page asking visitors to sign a petition to oppose the nomination of the Attorney General because of the President’s executive actions. We urge you to take down this and similar posts and to rethink your blanket opposition to this truly qualified nominee.”