If so, and Kelly is indeed nominated, this is a contemptible plan.

The jury in Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani’s trial for his role in the 1998 embassy bombings has found him guilty of conspiracy, but not the charges of terrorism he was accused of. With the one count, however, he may still face a life sentence.

This is a critical ruling and, while it should not be this way, a refreshingly positive one for the health and sanctity of the Constitution and federal Article III courts.

Not that anybody would know it, but there has been a terror trial going on all week in a real live Article III courtroom in the heart of Manhattan. Exactly like all the Republicans with vapors and trembling Democrats said could not be safely done.

Eric Holder came to NYC this week. He met with the NYPD, the FBI, the US Attorney’s Office and the US Marshals Service. Lower Manhattan in a post-9/11 world is a hardened target. Very hardened. I suspect he came away very impressed by the changes that have taken place in NYC in recent years.