Wherein just this once, I respond to rumors

I've been studiously avoiding posting on media speculation over potential Obama administration appointments, but the rumored rise of Eric Holder as AG seems worth mentioning, not only because he would be the first black man to hold the office, but because the reaction has been so mixed.

I have to admit, having made it a point to ignore the many pseudo-scandals of the Clinton years, I don't remember much about him, but Steve Benen gives him high marks and this certainly sounds promising.

He became deputy attorney general in 1997 under Janet Reno and was viewed as a centrist on most law enforcement issues, though he has sharply criticized the secrecy and the expansive views of executive power advanced by the Bush Justice Department.

Steve also has a lot of background links supporting that view in his post. Additionally, he piques my interest in the rumors about Peter Orszag as budget director.

Orszag, who will turn 40 on Dec. 16, has been praised by lawmakers from both parties as an objective analyst with deep knowledge of the most pressing fiscal issues of the day, including health care policy, Social Security, pensions, and global climate change. He is the unusual economist who blends an understanding of politics, policy and communications in ways that wrap zesty quotes around complex ideas.

Sounds good to me but then again, pretty much anyone sounds great after eight years of incompetent cronies whose job performance was based solely on GOP loyalty.