Ashcroft Clears Judiciary Committee
W A S H I N G T O N, Jan. 31 -- Attorney general nominee John Ashcroft's confirmation hangs in the balance, as he awaits for the confirmation vote in the Senate Thursday.
Senate confirmation debate continued late into the night, where Ashcroft is facing his most organized and feverant opposition, and congenial support.
Ashcroft supporters say opponents have distorted the former senator's record on issues like abortion. But Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-MA, said that the nation deserves someone better, citing Ashcroft's record on civil rights as the largest area of concern.
"Civil rights is the unfinished business of America, and the people of this country deserve an attorney general who is sensitive to the needs and rights of all Americans regardless of color," Kennedy said on the Senate floor today. "Neither Senator Ashcroft, nor his supporters have been able to provide that assurance."
Other Senate Democrats were equally as vehement in their attacks of Ashcroft.
"What did John Ashcroft say about moderates, he said, quote, there are two things you find in the middle of the road, a moderate and a dead skunk and I don't want to be either," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-CA. "Mr. President, I've looked into the heart of John Ashcroft, I don't think he's the right person for this job."
Organized Opposition
Sen. Thomas Daschle, D-S.D., told reporters he hoped 41 of hisparty's 50 senators would oppose Ashcroft to signal the Bushadministration that Democrats have the clout to block futurenominations.
Daschle commented as senators debated the nomination, withsupporters calling Ashcroft a man of integrity and opponentsquestioning whether his conservative positions on civil rights,abortion and other issues would influence his decisions in theJustice Department.
Despite the Democratic rally cries in the Senate and in the House, not all Democrats were against confirming Ashcroft. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-CT, said he would vote to confirm him, but with reservations.
"Listen well, John Ashcroft. There are those of us here today who could easily vote against your confirmation," Dodd said. "The temptation and the politics are certainly complelling, but have decided to give you a second chance… and an opportunity that you denied Ronnie White, Bill Lann Lee, James Hormel and others."
