Civil rights leaders condemn Holder contempt vote

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Guy says the house of represented -- He is nothing more than a clumsy.

Net kid politically motivated.

Witch -- When I was a president.

Of the National Urban League one of a number of civil rights leaders yesterday defending attorney general Eric Holder as the clock ticks down now.

To a critical contempt of congress vote against him.

The group suggesting this fast and furious investigation has little to do with how the DOJ actually handled -- gun running operation.

That may have led to the death of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry.

Instead saying this challenge to mr.

holder is really about Reese and voting rights.

One of the leaders supporting the attorney general he saw moments ago mark -- Allen he is the president of the national urban -- week.

-- you very much for being here thanks for having register.

So we watched that -- press conference yesterday with interest first let me ask you -- now coming out in mr.

holder's defense because couple weeks ago we covered up.

Lanny Davis is a top Democrat who was.

Outrage that -- Democrats hadn't come forward earlier.

It more advocates of mr.

holder earlier to defend.

I think there's been a sense that the cooler heads would prevail.

And that the Justice Department in congress will be able to work out their differences over these documents to avert.

A contempt vote by the house tomorrow which I expect.

Will take place and I certainly expected to pass -- let me give you my take.

My take is that there are -- inspector general investigations that have been ongoing.

And I think -- congress should do is stand aside and allow both inspector general investigation to run their course.

Because.

Obviously we have great sympathy.

For the death of Brian Terry and certainly -- family members no doubt.

But however.

The idea that congress should involve itself so deeply in this.

Without allowing these investigations run their course because they may find.

Things that could be referred to the criminal division of the Justice Department they may find.

The correct answers to this I think it's.

Too many parallel investigations.

Taking place at one time so I think congress.

Why you suspend -- say it's it's it's naked political move I think in the history of our great republic.

No attorney general has ever been held in contempt of court.

The end there -- certainly great questions about the conduct of attorney generals in the past.

Great concerns that congress had about their actions in the past but it's never ever come to this these actions of fast and furious took place.

Within the ATF.

In an agency which is certainly part of the damning and telling develop questions about exactly what role the DOJ -- -- -- played some well well let me say this in the end.

I think the questions are certainly not illegitimate but I think.

This is so charged in this political year.

You've got Darrell ice out there he's getting a lot of attention a lot of political attention a lot of press attention.

The Indy for what he's doing.

And you've got an attorney general whose reputation for integrity honesty for fresh for professionalism.

Has -- wants.

In question what do you think about the suggestion by some that this is about.

Suppressing it mr.

holder's efforts to challenge these voter ID laws because that effort began about a year after the fast and furious congressional probe began.

-- to John Cornyn.

Let it slip out the back.

His statements were something to the effect that.

Attorney general holder was preventing states.

From pursuing.

Voting fraud when in fact -- attorney general holder has done is uphold his obligation.

To enforce the constitution.

And the voting but -- -- My -- -- -- separate fight you got hold a challenging mr.

holder challenging states that are putting in place voter ID laws and then parties are split on that right and the Republicans like those laws Democrats -- do.

-- for the most prime generalize and but get my point is that he mr.

holder didn't actively get involved in challenging those laws until about a year after.

The fast and furious investigation began so it seems like a stretch to say the -- -- investigation is all about stopping we're that effort by the -- Not the fast and furious investigation negative said the idea that you would now insist.

On a contempt vote against C attorney general of the United States.

The idea that congress has the right and duty to investigate.

I do not question that I don't think any of -- question that what I do question however.

Is congress in distance while there are parallel investigations is that they're displaced by the inspector generals to not allow them to run their course.

And then congress can certainly do his job remember.

Congress is investigation can find facts Congress's investigation is not gonna lead.

Perhaps to charges if any parties work but what are responsible.

In any way.

For the unfortunate death of Brian -- so if it's about.

Brian Terry I think cooler heads.

But why you are -- well the Republicans responsible for that because when this thing first began Elijah Cummings who is -- the Democrat the top Democrat on this committee.

Made a promise to the Terry family.

And that the Terry family does not feel that promise has yet been met let me just devious and watch here.

We will not rest.

Until every single person responsible for all of -- no matter where they are.

But what do justice.

-- you -- -- right to my face and tell me that.

You would do everything and bring anybody did justice no matter how high up but what to do it let's.

And what happened which.

Don't both parties owe it to the Terry family to do everything we can in congress -- a congressman.

Mr.

Cummings now they just don't get to Nazi do but my take he has is that justice for Brian Terry.

Will not necessarily come through holding attorney general holder in contempt.

That justice for the Terry -- will come by allowing the inspector general -- justice and Homeland Security.

To do their job a -- -- clinicians and follow report to think that.

Race is in any way behind at the motivation the Republicans are still pursuing this I think it's like politics is like funder.

And race may be like.

Like lightning and and I tell you why.

It's clear that there's a great deal of push back from people on the right to attorney general holder's efforts.

To stand up for immigrants to stand up for the voting rights act of citizens in states all across the nation.

And perhaps it's anxiety about his efforts to stand up for those folks many of whom are African American.

Many of whom are -- Latino not exclusively and not completely.

And so I think that we have to recognize in this country that race is many times an element.

Within public policy debate so you don't think it's it has anything to do with mr.

holder's race.

I think it's more the race of the people he stood up for that's why I think yesterday reverend Sharpton made a point that if it war that an attorney general doing ads.

Mr.

holder is done.

If -- white if you black if you polka dot -- still have the same sense attorney general holder has stood up.

To enforce the voting rights act and civil rights laws in a way.

That's been admirable.

I want to ask you about an opinion piece that.

Al Sharpton road that you mention mr.

Sharpton here's what he wrote in part.

-- -- -- at that wouldn't have this on the -- -- the viewers can read along.

With me stand by associate myself Obama -- of that except -- mid sentence here.

There we go AG holder was reminded that despite his esteemed position he can and would be profiled.

He was an essence stopped and frisked without probable cause.

What -- it just showed us is that no matter -- our stature in this world someone can easily try to put us in our place.

What could be more outrageous you agree with Iraq and that.

Tell you what I think is so interest and that is that this attorney general.

Whose reputation has been sterling.

In this highly charged election year is about to become the first attorney general in the history of the -- -- To be held in contempt by the house -- represented.

He's suggesting he suggesting there that it does have to do with mr.

holder's race.

That he's been profile.

I think you agree on that that's an incendiary turn.

You say this I think that in this discussion.

Race as a factor somewhere even if it's subtle.

I think it's a factor might take power as I said earlier is that it's the race for the people he stood up to protect.

That's a factor we're in an election there.

I got I got it and that's might remain at at odds over that as we await clearer -- now should prevail and I hope that they would work it out I don't think.

That they will in this saga continues so far no cool -- and Washington take you sir on this you have to thank you thought your basement.

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Civil rights leaders condemn Holder contempt vote

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