Why Loretta Lynch’s confirmation as AG took so long

Maybe the 179 days it took to confirm North Carolina native Loretta Lynch as Attorney General of the United States, replacing Eric Holder, took too long, but don’t blame just the Republicans who have been accused of holding up the nomination. Also fault Harry Reid, the Democratic majority leader at the time of the nomination. Reid was a non-negotiator with the Republicans. He disallowed debate; he disallowed amendments; he disallowed Republican participation in the United States Senate where Presidential nominations go for confirmation.

When Lynch was nominated last November, the minority Republican Party was able to filibuster the vote and saw it as an opening to publicly object to many of President Obama’s policies. When the Republicans gained control of the Senate earlier this year, the GOPers saw the nomination as a card to play when negotiating other policy. In this case, the Republicans received concessions on specific issues, not eliminating desires of the Obama Administration but negotiating policy, giving a little, gaining a little. This is the way our legislative bodies are supposed to work.

With Senator Reid, the Republicans had little voice except to stop legislation and appointments cold with various rules maneuvers. Reid disallowed Republican amendments and debate. He was very much a dictator over the legislative process. Under Senator Mitch McConnell, the US Senate has been more open to bills being filed, debated, amended and passed. The two parties actually talk to each other and are working together a lot better than under the direction of Reid. McConnell worked the process the way it should have been worked months ago. If Reid had done this, Lynch would have been confirmed under his leadership. Like him or not, McConnell has reopened the Senate for business, and that’s good for the country. The NC General Assembly leaders should take note.

It remains a little disappointing that Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, our representatives from North Carolina, refused to join the majority voters in the approval of Lynch. They have their reasons, much which has to do with Obama’s Justice Department going after laws passed by our General Assembly. Neither Burr not Tillis brought “shame to themselves and their offices,” as some have said. While Lynch is a native of the state they represent, they seem to be voting their conviction, and that’s okay as well; neither will have to worry about this vote in their next election.

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culturati (noun) [kuhn-chuh-rah-tee]: people deeply interested in cultural and artistic matters