Lawmakers reject Obama logic: Defending despicable cop-killer doesn't make one qualified to lead Justice Department’s civil rights division

If President Obama had a son, he would not look like Daniel Faulkner, the Philadelphia police officer who was brutally murdered in 1981 by Mumia Abu-Jamal. Hence, not surprisingly,the President expressed shock on Wednesday when Republican and Democratic lawmakers were unable to stomach his nominee to head the Justice Department’s civil rights division - a fellow by the name of Debo Adegbile - who just happened [by mere coincidence, of course] to serve as defense attorney for Abu-Jamal.

President Obama's choice for the civil rights division post was blocked in congress by a 52-47 vote, as seven Democratic lawmakers had the good conscience to join their Republican counterparts in rejecting Obama's nominee.

The Washington Examiner noted that, "Senate Democrats [previously] killed the filibuster for nominations because they wanted to be able to confirm the president's choices for top administration positions even if Republicans were united in opposition. From now on, Democrats ruled, nominations would be confirmed by a simple majority vote. With 55 Democrats in the Senate, and as few as 51 required for confirmation, the change virtually guaranteed success for the president's nominees. But even a rule change was not enough to save the nomination" of the notorious cop-killer's defense attorney.

President Obama, no doubt, believes that defending the notorious, heinous and brutal cop-killer is precisely what makes Mr. Adegbile highly qualified to lead the Justice Department's civil rights division, but, ultimately both Republicans and Democrats were unable to stomach the President's choice and his logic.

Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday recounted the details of Mr. Faulkner's brutal murder.

The policeman was "conducting a routine traffic stop when Wesley Cook — also known as Mumia Abu-Jamal — shot him in the back," McConell said. "[Abu-Jamal} then stood over Officer Faulkner and shot him several more times in the chest.

"As Officer Faulkner lay dying in the street, defenseless, Abu-Jamal shot him in the face, killing him. At the hospital, Abu-Jamal bragged that he had shot Officer Faulkner and expressed his hope that he would die."

However, President Obama, whose son - if the President were to have a son - would not look like Daniel Faulkner, called the vote a "travesty", and asserted that, "Those who voted against [Adegbile's] nomination, denied the American people an outstanding public servant.”

However, in a letter that was read on the senate floor shortly before the vote, Mauren Faulkner, the widow of the slain police officer, wrote that, "Today, as my husband lies 33 years in his grave..., old wounds have once again been ripped open, and additional insult is brought upon our law enforcement community in this country by President Obama's nomination of Debo Adegbile."

According to the Washington Examiner, "Vice President Joe Biden arrived in the Senate chamber to break a possible tie -- a clear indication that the White House knew the nomination was in trouble. But there was no tie. Seven Democrats voted "no," joined by 44 Republicans... The vote was a clear defeat for President Obama, who himself practiced civil rights law before taking up politics."

Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat from the state of Pennsylvania - where the brutal murder occurred - issued a statement on Friday saying:

"It is important that we ensure that Pennsylvanians and citizens across the country have full confidence in their public representatives - both elected and appointed. The vicious murder of Officer Faulkner in the line of duty and the events that followed in the 30 years since his death have left open wounds for Maureen Faulkner and her family as well as the City of Philadelphia. After carefully considering this nomination and having met with both Mr. Adegbile as well as the Fraternal Order of Police, I will not vote to confirm the nominee."

Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey issued a statement after the vote saying:

“Today is a good day for Pennsylvania, for America, and for those who believe in justice... I appreciate the bipartisan support of my [Democratic] colleagues... and from Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams in opposing the confirmation of Mr. Adegbile.

“Today the Senate affirmed that our criminal justice system must never be abused to propagate a dishonest, radical agenda. The American people, especially law enforcement and Maureen Faulkner, deserve better.”

Indeed. For contrary to the President's twisted ideology - defending a despicable cop-killer does not make one qualified to lead the Justice Department’s civil rights division; if anything, it makes him totally unqualified and unfit for the job.