" Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), Van Hollen's Republican counterpart, acknowledged that the "political environment is such that voters remain pessimistic about the direction of the country and the Republican Party in general.

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He and most other Oklahoma Republicans voted against January's disaster relief bill, though Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.

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The latest volley started with a 13-page letter from Holder's deputy, James Cole, to committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-California, arguing against contempt.

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