Loretta Lynch: Attorney General Post Would Be My Honor

As promised, President Obama nominated Loretta Lynch today to replace Eric Holder as attorney general. He introduced his choice as an accomplished prosecutor from New York City who will carry on a "fierce commitment to equal justice." Obama argued at a White House ceremony that it's "pretty hard to be more qualified" for the job than Lynch. "Loretta might be the only lawyer in America who battles mobsters and drug lords and terrorists, and still has the reputation for being a charming people person," the president said to laughter from those who packed the Roosevelt Room for the announcement. The 55-year-old Lynch would be the first African-American woman to serve as attorney general.

She would replace outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, who also was at today's announcement and was the first black head of the Justice Department. Lynch said she was humbled and thrilled at the prospect of leading "the only Cabinet department named for an ideal." "If I have the honor of being confirmed by the Senate, I will wake up every morning with the protection of the American people my first thought," she said. "And I will work every day to safeguard our citizens, our liberties, our rights, and this great nation which has given so much to me and my family." Still unclear is whether the current Senate will act on the confirmation or defer to the new GOP-led Senate in January, notes Politico. (More Loretta Lynch stories.)