John Ashcroft Beats Democrats' Partisan Attacks

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John Ashcroft Beats Democrats' Partisan Attacks

On February 1, by a vote of 58 to 42, the Senate confirmed the nomination of John Ashcroft to attorney general of the United States. The viciously partisan attack by liberal special-interest groups and bombastic Democratic senators focussed on Ashcroft's ligion, his conservative record in three elective offices, and his opposition to two of President Clinton's nominees.

Ashcroft was elected twice as Missouri's attorney general, and served as the president of the National Association, of Attorneys General. Ashcroft served two terms as Missouri's governor, during which his 49 colleagues elected him president of the National …