Ashcroft’s Promises on the Record

During three days of Senate hearings on his nomination as attorney general, John Ashcroft seemed eager to establish that, once in office, he intends to conduct himself differently than he did as a U.S. senator, Missouri attorney general or governor. For a man hailed by his supporters as duty-bound to follow conscience and principle, Ashcroft’s confirmation promises to defend U.S. laws despite principles he holds to the contrary generated understandable skepticism and concern.

That Ashcroft will be confirmed as the nation’s top law enforcement official seems likely. Wednesday, Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia became the first Democrat to announce publicly that he will vote for his former colleague.

Ashcroft has ardently backed a constitutional amendment outlawing abortion, which he opposes even in cases of rape and incest. As state attorney general, he argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in an unsuccessful defense of a Missouri law that would have severely restricted abortions. Yet in testimony this week, Ashcroft characterized Roe vs. Wade and its successor cases establishing a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion as “settled law.” He insisted he would enforce federal laws protecting a woman’s right to choose and pledged not to use abortion as a litmus test in recommending potential Supreme Court justices to the president.

Similarly, in the area of civil rights, Ashcroft had resisted efforts to voluntarily desegregate St. Louis schools while Missouri attorney general. As a senator, Ashcroft led a humiliating and baseless campaign to sink the nomination of Missouri Judge Ronnie White, an African American, to the federal bench. Yet, this week, Ashcroft struck a conciliatory tone on race and promised to study possible racial disparities in federal death sentences. Ashcroft tried hard this week to reassure Americans he understands that, as attorney general, he will be the lawyer for all the people of this country, not just those who share his views. He has left a clear record against which all of the people should judge him as he does his job.