While Democrats Launch Smears Targeting Senator Jeff Sessions As Attorney General, The Senator Racks Up Major Endorsements

TOP TAKEAWAYS

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice endorsed Senator Jeff Sessions' nomination to be Attorney General and praised his commitment to "ensure that every person here in the United States is given the voice that is deserved."

Former ONDCP Directors William J. Bennet and John P. Walter called Sessions "an outstanding choice for attorney general" and called for his swift confirmation.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz said Sessions' nomination is "fantastic news" for those who believe in the rule of law.

Law enforcement groups praise Sessions as a prosecutor their members "pray for."

CNN highlighted Jeff Sessions' impressive civil rights record.

AS THE SENATE PREPARES TO VOTE ON TRUMP'S CABINET NOMINEES, SENATOR JEFF SESSIONS IS PRAISED FOR HIS INTEGRITY AND COMMITMENT TO THE LAW

Former Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice: "Sessions Will Uphold The Laws Of Our Great Country And Will Work To Ensure That Every Person Here In The United States Is Given The Voice That Is Deserved"

Former Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice "Endorsed Former Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions Monday To Be President-Elect Donald Trump's Attorney General." (Dana Bash and Daniella Diaz, "First On CNN: Condoleezza Rice Endorses Sessions For Attorney General," CNN , 1/9/17)

Condoleezza Rice: Sessions "Is A Man Who Is Committed To Justice And Knows That Law And Order Are Necessary To Guarantee Freedom And Liberty." (Dana Bash and Daniella Diaz, "First On CNN: Condoleezza Rice Endorses Sessions For Attorney General," CNN , 1/9/17)

Condoleezza Rice: Sessions "Has Worked Hard To Heal The Wounds In Alabama Brought On By The 'Prejudice And Injustice Against The Descendents Of Slaves.'" " Rice, the first African-American woman to serve as secretary of state, also said that Sessions has worked hard to heal the wounds in Alabama brought on by the 'prejudice and injustice against the descendents of slaves.'" (Dana Bash and Daniella Diaz, "First On CNN: Condoleezza Rice Endorses Sessions For Attorney General," CNN , 1/9/17)

Condoleezza Rice: "I Know That Sen. Sessions Will Uphold The Laws Of Our Great Country And Will Work To Ensure That Every Person Here In The United States Is Given The Voice That Is Deserved." (Dana Bash and Daniella Diaz, "First On CNN: Condoleezza Rice Endorses Sessions For Attorney General," CNN , 1/9/17)

Former ONDCP Directors William J. Bennet And John P. Walter: Sessions "Is An Outstanding Choice For Attorney General, And He Deserves To Be Confirmed Swiftly"

Former Directors Of The Office Of National Drug Control Policy William J. Bennet And John P. Walters: Sessions "Is An Outstanding Choice For Attorney General, And He Deserves To Be Confirmed Swiftly." (William J. Bennett and John P. Walters, "Why Sessions Is Right Pick For Attorney General," CNN , 1/9/17)

William J. Bennet And John P. Walters: Sessions Will "Instantly" Help "Restore Confidence In Our Institutions Of Justice And The Noble Individuals Who Dutifully Enforce Our Laws And Protect Our Citizenry." " The incoming Trump administration has taken seriously the task of assembling the best individuals to push back against the threats facing our country. Foremost among those threats is the pressing need to restore confidence in our institutions of justice and the noble individuals who dutifully enforce our laws and protect our citizenry. President-elect Trump's selection of Sen. Jeff Sessions to serve as our nation's 84th attorney general instantly answers that need." (William J. Bennett and John P. Walters, "Why Sessions Is Right Pick For Attorney General," CNN , 1/9/17)

William J. Bennet And John P. Walters: "Sessions' Experience, Perspective And Leadership Are Sorely Needed." (William J. Bennett and John P. Walters, "Why Sessions Is Right Pick For Attorney General," CNN , 1/9/17)

William J. Bennet And John P. Walters: "As An Effective Former Prosecutor, Sessions Is Familiar With The Important Tools Law Enforcement Needs To Break Up Violent Drug Gangs And Trafficking Networks." (William J. Bennett and John P. Walters, "Why Sessions Is Right Pick For Attorney General," CNN , 1/9/17)

William J. Bennet And John P. Walters: Sessions Is "The Right And Best Man" "And His Confirmation To Attorney General Cannot Come Soon Enough." "After eight difficult years, besieged communities and the unjustly maligned police who protect them deserve an attorney general of depth and experience who will enforce the laws of our nation equitably and impartially and restore Americans' faith in our criminal justice system. The right and best man for this critical task at this timorous time is Jeff Sessions, and his confirmation to attorney general cannot come soon enough." (William J. Bennett and John P. Walters, "Why Sessions Is Right Pick For Attorney General," CNN , 1/9/17)

Former U.S. Deputy Attorney Larry Thompson: Sessions' "Deep Experience As A Federal Prosecutor And Senator Will Bring Much-Needed, Strong Leadership To The Justice Department"

Former U.S. Deputy Attorney Larry Thompson: Sessions Has A "Clear Record Of Achievement In The Areas Of Strong Law Enforcement And Legislative Bipartisanship." (Larry Thompson, "Jeff Sessions Deserves To Be The Next U.S. Attorney General," The Washington Post , 1/9/17)

Larry Thompson: Sessions "Remarkable Accomplishments Demonstrate That [His] Deep Experience As A Federal Prosecutor And Senator Will Bring Much-Needed, Strong Leadership To The Justice Department." (Larry Thompson, "Jeff Sessions Deserves To Be The Next U.S. Attorney General," The Washington Post , 1/9/17)

Larry Thompson: "The Senate Should Reject The Cheap-Shot Accusations That Attempt To Brand The [Sessions] As Racially Insensitive Or, Worse, A Racist." (Larry Thompson, "Jeff Sessions Deserves To Be The Next U.S. Attorney General," The Washington Post , 1/9/17)

Larry Thompson: "Sen. Jeff Sessions, A Good Man, Deserves Confirmation As Our Nation's Next Attorney General." (Larry Thompson, "Jeff Sessions Deserves To Be The Next U.S. Attorney General," The Washington Post , 1/9/17)

Texas Senator Ted Cruz: Sessions' Nomination Is "Fantastic News" For Those Who Believe In The Rule Of Law

Senator Ted Cruz: Sessions' Nomination "Is Fantastic News For Those Who Revere In The Rule Of Law." "Senator Jeff Sessions' nomination to be the 84th attorney general of the United States is fantastic news for those who revere the rule of law." (Ted Cruz, "The Case For Jeff Sessions," Politico ¸1/9/17)

Senator Ted Cruz: "Having Witnessed His Integrity And Passion For Law Enforcement Firsthand, I Have Confidence That Sessions Will Be A Superb Attorney General." (Ted Cruz, "The Case For Jeff Sessions," Politico ¸1/9/17)

Senator Ted Cruz: "Sessions Undoubtedly Has The Integrity To Enforce Laws He Doesn't Personally Agree With And To Stay Within Proper Bounds On Laws He Does Agree With." (Ted Cruz, "The Case For Jeff Sessions," Politico ¸1/9/17)

Law Enforcement Groups Praise Sessions As A Prosecutor Their Members "Pray For"

Law Enforcement Groups: Sessions Will Bring A "Police-First" Mentality To The Justice Department. "Law enforcement groups view Sessions as someone who will bring a 'police-first' mentality to Justice that they say was absent during President Obama's eight years in office." (Jonathan Easley, "Law Enforcement Sees Sessions As 'Police-First' AG, " The Hill , 1/9/17)

The Fraternal Order Of Police, The Largest Police Union, Said The Union Had No Criticism Of Session's Nomination After A 20-Year Working Relationship With The Senator. "'We have about a 20-year relationship with Jeff Sessions from his time in the Senate on the Judiciary Committee and our members in Alabama who worked with him, both as state attorney general and a U.S. attorney, and the best way to sum it up is that we don't have anything bad to say about Jeff Sessions,' FOP executive director Jim Pasco told The Hill." (Jonathan Easley, "Law Enforcement Sees Sessions As 'Police-First' AG," The Hill , 1/9/17)

The Executive Director Of The Fraternal Order Of Police Said Sessions' Insights Into Police Officers' Lives Is Something "Our Members Pray For In A Prosecutor." "'We have about a 20-year relationship with Jeff Sessions from his time in the Senate on the Judiciary Committee and our members in Alabama who worked with him, both as state attorney general and a U.S. attorney, and the best way to sum it up is that we don't have anything bad to say about Jeff Sessions,' FOP executive director Jim Pasco told The Hill. 'He has extraordinary insight into the demands and stresses of a police officer's life and also has a real reverence for the rule of law. It sounds corny but it's true, and that's what our members pray for in a prosecutor.'" (Jonathan Easley, "Law Enforcement Sees Sessions As 'Police-First' AG," The Hill , 1/9/17)

CNN Highlights Jeff Sessions' Impressive Civil Rights Record

NTK Network Headline: "CNN Highlights Jeff Sessions Impressive Civil Rights Record." ("CNN Highlights Jeff Sessions Impressive Civil Rights Record," NTK Network , 1/9/17)

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