President Obama is being urged to make outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder the head of a commission to make Washington, D.C., the 51st state.
“No one would be better suited to promote fresh thinking on how to give his fellow Washingtonians the rights to which they are entitled,” cheered the Washington Postin a Tuesday editorial.
Washington has sought statehood — and the resulting full votes in the House and Senate — for years, but been blocked by Republicans and critics of the city’s sloppy finances. Some instead have suggested that it be annexed by Maryland.
The Post chose Holder because he is a city resident and had warm words for statehood on the day he announced his plans to depart the Justice Department. “It is long past time for every citizen to be afford his or her full responsibilities and full rights,” he said.
The paper said that President Obama should “kick-start” the issue in his final two years and make Holder the head of a commission formed to add the 51st state. “Soon he will have a bit more free time,” said the Post. “Why not hame him to lead a presidential commission?”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
