In Transition

Specter said Holder's role in the 2001 pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich and the decision not to appoint an independent counsel to probe the allegations of fund-raising abuses by Vice President Al Gore during the 1996 presidential campaign "raised concerns about his ability to maintain his independence from the president."

Specter said any attorney general must possess the "critical qualification of character in upholding principles when tempted to yield to expediency by being a 'yes man' to please a superior or to accommodate a friend."

Holder's confirmation is shaping up to be perhaps the most contentious of any Obama cabinet nominee and several Judiciary Committee Republicans have said they intend to question him closely during his hearings scheduled to begin Jan. 15.

In a statement, committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont said "any effort to question his character is unfounded." Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., said "there is a powerful record beyond Eric Holder of political independence" including his tenure prosecuting public corruption cases at the Justice Department and recommending the investigation or prosecution of officials in both parties.

Wade Henderson, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, said the criticism of Holder by Republicans has a "tit-for-tat quality" that is an "offense" and "unseemly" response to Democrats' past opposition to the nominations of Republicans John Ashcroft and Alberto R. Gonzales as attorney general.

Holder is likely to attract at least one Republican backer on the Judiciary Committee. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who has expressed support of Holder since Obama announced his selection, on Tuesday called him "an excellent choice."

-- Seth Stern