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Memories of Eric Holder loomed over Loretta Lynchs confirmation hearing as Republicans reminded the nominee for attorney general over and over that one of her most appealing qualities is that shes not him.

The departing attorney generals name was mentioned more than two dozen times at Wednesdays Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, leading Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) toprotest that Holder wasnt there to defend himself.

But Wednesdays Holder-bashing was but a warm-up for Thursdays second-day hearing, where the GOP has a series of anti-Holder witnesses on tap, including former CBS News reporter Sharyl Attkisson, who is suing the Justice Department claiming the government illegally tapped her phones and laptops.

For now, weve assembled the top Holder-as-punching-bag moments.

1. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) asked Lynch if she would uphold and defend the Constitution. Absolutely, sir, she said.

Im glad you said that. Attorney General Holder answered that same question in the same way, Hatch said, adding that Holder broke his promise and so he cast doubt about others who make the same commitment as you did today.

2. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.): Let me just stipulate, youre not Eric Holder, are you? Lynch replied, No, Im not, sir.

3. Cornyn, noting that Holder was heavy on our minds now, wondered if Lynch would consider herself a political arm of the White House as attorney general.

No, Senator, that would be a totally inappropriate view of the position of attorney general, Lynch said.

4. Cornyn couldnt quite let it go: So how do we know youre not going to perform your duties of office as attorney general the way Eric Holder has performed his duties? How are you going to be different?

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In the Loop: Loretta Lynch knows her name and its not Holder