WASHINGTON (CNN) -- During his confirmation hearing Thursday, Attorney General-designate Eric Holder conceded that he "made mistakes" during the Marc Rich pardon incident that were "not typical" of his conduct over the bulk of his career. Attorney General-designate Eric Holder told senators Thursday that he learned from the Rich pardon incident. Holder said he "made assumptions that turned out not to be true" during the Rich pardon process, which became the "most intense" and "searing" experience he "ever had as a lawyer." Holder's willingness as deputy attorney general to go along with the pardon over the objections of Justice Department career prosecutors has continued to haunt Holder. The pardon came in the last days of President Clinton's term.NEW: Former GOP senator testifies on behalf of Attorney General-designate HolderHolder admits "mistakes" in Rich pardon incident, defends FALN pardonsSen. Patrick Leahy urges Judiciary Committee to put partisanship asideSen. Arlen Specter says there are questions about AG designate
_ told the committee Thursday that President Clinton's 1999 decision to grant clemency to the 16 FALN prisoners "was reasonable." Holder told the committee Thursday that President Clinton's 1999 decision to grant clemency to the 16 _ prisoners "was reasonable."