Orrin Hatch: Another useless idiot, last seen insisting via ballad that we “honor” Ted Kennedy. Why does he support the appointment of a guy who forcefully removed Elian Gonzalez and helped to get FALN terrorists pardoned? Supposedly because he “likes” Obama. *Barf*

The former Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee will support Eric Holder’s nomination for attorney general, giving him a major boost toward confirmation.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah), who chaired the panel for a decade beginning in 1995, told The Hill that he will support Holder.

“I intend to,” said Hatch.

His decision could undermine GOP efforts to stall or block the confirmation. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said Friday that Holder would be the only Cabinet nominee to face a tough confirmation fight.

Hatch said that Republicans should try to strike a cooperative tone with President-elect Obama during the first days of his administration.

“I start with the premise that the president deserves the benefit of the doubt. I don’t think politics should be played with the attorney general,” he said.

“I like Barack Obama and want to help him if I can.”

Hatch then proceeded to pick up a guitar, join the prayer circle, and sing Kumbaya.

Seriously, why should Republicans be “cooperative” with Obama? Did Democrats take back Congress and the White House by striking a “cooperative” tone? Or did they capture both by blaming everything on Republicans and attempting to stop the Bush Administration as often as possible?

And what’s this nonsense about politics not being played with the attorney general? Did Hatch sleep through Alberto Gonzales’ time at the Justice Department? Perhaps he was too busy composing another ode to a liberal Democrat who’s been in Congress far too long.

The GOP will be in the wilderness until it returns to its conservative ideals and becomes more concerned with winning than what Democrats think of them or whether they’re acting in a bipartisan manner. If Americans have a choice between a faux Democrat and a real one, they’ll choose the authentic one time after time. It’s time that our leadership realizes that.

Maybe we’ll get lucky and Hatch will be too busy ordering his Obama playing cards and commemorative plates to attend Congress on the day of the confirmation.