Stenberg Says Bruning Cannot Be Trusted to Vigorously Support Gun Rights, Supported Holder as US AG

March 9, 2012 - PRLog -- “Eric Holder is turning out to be every bit as controversial as conservatives and gun rights supporters warned he would be. Nebraska voters should know that Jon Bruning strongly supported Holder’s nomination as President Obama’s Attorney General,” Stenberg said.

According to a January 14, 2009 letter addressed to Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy and signed by Jon Bruning and some other state Attorneys General:

"Throughout his career, Mr. Holder has displayed the fairness and balance which is so important in a person who will wield such vast power and authority.. Therefore, we urge you to confirm the nomination of Eric H. Holder, Jr. for Attorney General."

Read the letter here: http://www.jonbruningfactcheck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/BruningHOLDERletterJan14_20091.pdf

“Conservatives voiced loud objections during Holder’s nomination process, citing his role in the Clinton White House and the pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich, and his strident views opposing the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution,” Stenberg said.

“Holder’s opposition to gun rights was well known and documented during his nomination process. For example, after leaving the Clinton administration, Holder joined a friend of the court brief in District of Columbia v. Heller arguing that the Second Amendment does not guarantee individual rights and supporting a ban on handguns,” Stenberg said.

After the Supreme Court rendered its pro-individual-rights decision in that case, Holder objected saying the case: "opens the door to more people having more access to guns and putting guns on the streets."

“All of this information was available at the time Bruning endorsed Eric Holder to be the top law enforcement officer in the land. Nebraskans deserve to know why Bruning put his stamp of approval on someone who so clearly threatens the basic Second Amendment rights of Americans, Stenberg said.

“The congressional investigation into the Fast and Furious gun-running scandal has revealed enough for us to know that Attorney General Holder was either aware and in approval of the program or incompetent and negligent. Either way, President Obama should ask for Holder’s resignation,” Stenberg said

“It is clear from Jon Bruning's letter supporting Eric Holder that if Bruning had been in the United States Senate he would have voted to confirm Eric Holder as Attorney General of the United States. If I had been in the United States Senate, I would have voted with the 21 pro-gun senators, including Senators Johanns, Cornyn, DeMint and Coburn who voted no," Stenberg said.

“Nebraskans who want a United States Senator who will be a strong defender of the Second Amendment will want to vote for Don Stenberg. Jon Bruning’s support of Eric Holder shows that he cannot be trusted to vigorously support our gun rights in the United States Senate," Stenberg said.

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Mr. Stenberg served as Nebraska Attorney General from 1990-2002 and was elected Nebraska State Treasurer in 2010. GOP U.S. Senate nominee in 2000 against Ben Nelson. Genuine, lifelong conservative. Supports 2nd Amendment, pro-life, balanced budget.