Eric Holder's challenge

When Eric H. Holder Jr. comes before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday for confirmation as U.S. attorney general, he needn't worry about a challenge to his qualifications. The panel has been deluged with testimonials to his intellect, integrity and experience. The harder question for Holder is whether his role as an advisor to Barack Obama's presidential campaign will hamper him in restoring trust to the Justice Department after its politicization by the Bush administration.

January 14, 2009