Holder blasts Issa's conduct as 'shameful'

[babylonsister]

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/15/18279156-holder-blasts-issas-conduct-as-shameful?lite

Holder blasts Issa's conduct as 'shameful'
By Steve Benen
-
Wed May 15, 2013 3:42 PM EDT


Attorney General Eric Holder has faced aggressive questioning in congressional hearings many times, especially from Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) who has accused the nation's chief law-enforcement official of all kinds of misdeeds, but today was the first time I can recall Holder taking offense to unfounded allegations.

At House Judiciary Committee hearing, Issa inquired about communications with Labor Secretary nominee Tom Perez, and stated without proof that the Attorney General was deliberately hiding information from Congress and violating the Federal Records Act.

When Holder tried to respond, Issa tried to cut him off. The A.G. was not pleased.

"No, no, I'm not going to stop talking now," Holer said, adding, "It is inappropriate and too consistent with the way in which you conduct yourself as a member of Congress. It is unacceptable. It is shameful."

For those who marvel at Issa's everyday brazenness, it was a welcome sight to see someone tell the far-right lawmaker what he hears too infrequently.

[BlueStreak]

1. Another response could have been ...

"This body is welcome to set its own rules, but here are my rules. You ask fair questions that don't include sister insinuations that are not supported by any fact in evidence, give me a fair opportunity to answer the question and I will do my best to be completely responsive. But if you are just going to grandstand with your time, you can do that without me. I will not be party to that. So sir, if you are able to be fair-minded, please proceed."