The past four years haven't been easy for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. In addition to having to deal with new laws that aimed to make it more difficult for certain demographics to vote and other voting rights issues, Holder has been the poster child — and to some a scapegoat — of the House Oversight Committee's investigation into the controversial Fast and Furious gun-walking program.

He hasn't signed up for four more years, but Holder has said that he would continue in his role for at least another year. The announcement came as President Obama prepares for the exodus of several high-profile cabinet members, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, as well as the unexpected resignation of Central Intelligence Agency director David Petraeus.

In a recent discussion with students at the University of Baltimore, Holder said that he had to consult with President Obama and his family before finalizing a decision about staying on for a second term. Perhaps more important, he needed to ask himself, "Do I have some gas left in the tank?"

Holder is the nation's first African-American attorney general. The names of possible replacements floating around included Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, who has said he plans to complete his term as governor, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who reportedly would love to take over where Holder leaves off.

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