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Shelby Drops Holds on Obama Nominees

Alabama Republican says he was just trying to get the president's attention

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 9, 2010 7:00 AM CST

(AP) – Richard Shelby has decided to release the holds he's been using to block more than 70 Obama nominees in hopes of scoring two lucrative projects for his home state. The Alabama senator, who was hammered by Democrats for obstructionism, said he used the holds "to get the White House's attention on two issues that are critical to our national security—the Air Force's aerial refueling tanker acquisition and the FBI's Terrorist Device Analytical Center."

Now that Shelby has Obama's attention, he's releasing his holds "on all but a few nominees directly related to the Air Force tanker acquisition," a spokesman said. Robert Gibbs on Friday said, "If you needed one example of what's wrong with this town, it might be that one senator can hold up 70 qualified individuals ... because he didn't get his earmarks."

Richard Shelby speaks during an interview with George Stephanopoulos in this April 20, 2008 file photo.
Richard Shelby speaks during an interview with George Stephanopoulos in this April 20, 2008 file photo.   (AP Photo/ABC News, Fred Watkins)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 21 comments
Non-deep-thinker
Feb 10, 2010 2:14 AM CST
Yeah, it's a pity they're not all back in the 1860's, where they belong, when politicians openly admitted they were thieves and scoundrels and it was just common knowledge.
outoforder345
Feb 9, 2010 11:05 AM CST
and to america is answer is I WANT THE MONEY!!!
Snowleopard
Feb 9, 2010 7:35 AM CST
both parties should agree on this much. both parties have done it in the past (although not to this degree), but it's clearly wrong.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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