Obama Blasts Republican Delay Of Loretta Lynch Confirmation Vote As 'Embarrassing,' 'Crazy'
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- President Barack Obama says it's "embarrassing" the way Republican senators have delayed confirmation of his attorney general nominee for what he calls "political gamesmanship."
Obama says nearly all Republicans agree that Loretta Lynch is qualified to be the nation's top law officer. Yet he says the five months she's been waiting is longer than the previous seven attorney general nominees combined. Obama calls that "a crazy situation."
His message to senators? "Enough. Enough. Call Loretta Lynch for a vote. Get her confirmed."
Lynch is the U.S. attorney for New York's Eastern District and would succeed Eric Holder if confirmed.
Dozens of Senate Republicans have opposed her for various reasons, chiefly her support of Obama's immigration policies.
Obama spoke at a White House news conference with the visiting Italian prime minister.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said that if Lynch is not confirmed soon he will try to force a vote on her nomination, CBS2 reported.
If confirmed, Lynch would be the first African-American woman to be attorney general.
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