Reid Vows to Block Olson as AG Pick

Majority leader blasts reported Bush favorite as Gonzales 2.0

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 13, 2007 5:46 AM CDT

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Reid Vows to Block Olson as AG Pick — Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid of Nev., attends a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sep. 12, 2007. Senate Democratic leaders on Wednesday rejected the call by Gen. David Petraeus for a reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq by next summer, saying it does not go far enough.... (Associated Press)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pledged to stop conservative attorney Ted Olson from becoming attorney general if he's nominated, Reuters reports. The former solicitor general is thought to be President Bush's first choice, but faces stiff opposition from Dems who are pushing for a less partisan figure after Alberto Gonzales' stormy term. "Ted Olson will not be confirmed," Reid vowed.

Olson represented Bush in the Supreme Court battle over the 2000 presidential election, defended the administration's controversial legal strategy for the war on terror, and was believed to be behind GOP efforts to dig up scandals involving the Clintons. "I will do everything within my power to stop him," Reid promised. (More Harry Reid stories.)

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