Great News: Al Sharpton is Helping Pick the Next Attorney General

Well, this will ensure nothing but peace and love, and perfectly fair coverage from NBC and MSNBC (where Sharpton still has a daily show).

The Rev. Al Sharpton said his civil rights organization, the National Action Network, is “engaged in immediate conversations” with the White House as they work to name a successor to Attorney General Eric Holder, who is set to announce his resignation Thursday afternoon.

“We are engaged in immediate conversations with the White House on deliberations over a successor whom we hope will continue in the general direction of Attorney General Holder,” Sharpton said in a statement.

Sharpton praised Holder, the first African-American attorney general, as the “best” one in history when it comes to civil rights.

Which tells us something we already knew — that Obama intends to pick a nasty fight over the nomination.

We may learn more about the reasons for Holder’s resignation later this afternoon, or we may not. Holder hasn’t been one to divulge much information at any point in his tenure.

At this stage, it looks like Holder resigned to pave the way for a nominations fight that Obama hopes will turn out the Democrats’ demoralized base. Sharpton’s involvment, which the White House hasn’t confirmed or denied, would be part of rallying the base.

When reached for comment, Sharpton’s NBC colleague shrugged,”Eh, it’s one non-political guy picking the back-up for another non-political guy. No big whoop.”