Holder assures GOP "he won't prosecute CIA officers or political appointees" for torture

President Obama's choice to run the Justice Department has assured senior Republican senators that he won't prosecute CIA officers or political appointees who were involved in the Bush administration's policy of "enhanced interrogations."

Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, a Republican from Missouri and the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said in an interview with The Washington Times that he will support Eric H. Holder Jr.'s nomination for Attorney General because Mr. Holder assured him privately that Mr. Obama's Justice Department will not prosecute former Bush officials involved in the interrogations program.

Mr. Holder's promise apparently was key to moving his nomination forward. Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 17-2 to favorably recommend Holder for the post. He is likely to be confirmed by the Senate soon.

Sen. Bond also said that Mr. Holder told him in a private meeting Tuesday that he will not strip the telecommunications companies that cooperated with the National Security Agency after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks of retroactive legal immunity from civil lawsuits--removing another potential sticking point among GOP senators.

In the interview Wednesday, Mr. Bond said, "I made it clear that trying to prosecute political leaders would generate a political firestorm the Obama administration doesn't need."

He added, "I was concerned about previous statements he made and others had made. He gave me assurances that he would not take those steps that would cause major disruptions in our intelligence system or cause political warfare. We don't need that kind of political warfare. He gave me assurances he is looking forward."

Mr. Bond also said, "I believe he will look forward to keep the nation safe and not look backwards to prosecute intelligence operators who were fighting terror and kept our country safe since 9-11."

More: http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/28/exclusive-holder-assures-gop-torture-prosecution/

yes it is from the Moonie Times but they have a Senator on the record saying he held this conversation so one can assume it's legit.

Free clue.. we don't, others will

Torture has universal jurisdiction and NO limits

As long as they are alive...

those who ordered them to do the crimes.

There's no direct quote but that seems to be the gist of it.

I'd love for this to be made up but I think we should keep our expectations realistic.

Their reputation speaks for itself

Coleen Rowley for AG!

Surely, they aren't off the hook.

I see they also got the NSA wiretapping telecommunications companies off the hook. I give!

All I can do is hope the Moonie Rag has it wrong.

And I sure as hell don't believe anything the Moonie Times reports happened in private conversations.

Pukes lie and it's just as likely that Bond said this to push the President into a corner so if he did go after them the pukes could say he went back on his word. I don't trust the pukes and I don't trust the moonie times.

Of course, people can take the Washington Times at its word, but do not complain next time they slime Democrats of your liking, in this case.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/01/leahy-its-improper-for-a-senator-to-seek-torture-assurances-from-holder-in-exchange-for-vote.php