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[Dave The Dov]

Ashcroft Resigns From Bush Cabinet


By SCOTT LINDLAW, AP White House Correspondent


WASHINGTON - Attorney General John Ashcroft the face of the administration's tough tactics against terrorism is leaving the president's team. He resigned Tuesday, the first of the Cabinet to leave as Bush heads from re-election into his second term.

The gospel-singing son of a minister, Ashcroft is a fierce conservative who doesn't drink, smoke or dance. His detractors said he gave religion too prominent a role at the Justice Department including optional prayer meetings with staff before each work day.

He has also been a willing lightning rod for critics who said his policies for thwarting terrorists infringed on the rights of innocent people.

Ashcroft championed many of the most controversial government actions following the Sept. 11 attacks, most notably the USA Patriot Act. It bolstered FBI surveillance powers, increased use of material witness warrants to hold suspects incommunicado for months and allowed secret proceedings in terrorist-related immigration cases. When there was a break in a terror case, he was the man at the lectern soberly informing the American people.

"The objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved," Ashcroft said in his handwritten resignation letter to the president, dated Nov. 2 — Election Day. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Bush had received the letter that same day, before the results of the election were known.

"I believe that the Department of Justice would be well served by new leadership and fresh inspiration," said Ashcroft, whose health problems earlier this year resulted in removal of his gall bladder. "I believe that my energies and talents should be directed toward other challenging horizons," he said.


Bush issued statements of praise for him, and for the policies he advanced.


"John Ashcroft has worked tirelessly to help make our country safer," the president said. "John has served our nation with honor, distinction and integrity."


Sen. Charles Schumer D-N.Y., was less flattering.


"We wish John Ashcroft good health and a good retirement, and we hope the president will choose a less polarizing attorney general as his successor," Schumer said.


Speculation about a successor to Ashcroft has centered on his former deputy, Larry Thompson, who recently took a job as general counsel at PepsiCo. If appointed, Thompson would be the nation's first black attorney general. Others prominently mentioned include Bush's 2004 campaign chairman, former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot, and White House general counsel Alberto Gonzales.





In my words I'm just glad to see him go!!!! Dave The Dov :^)
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grape ape pics

[hester_prynne]

Let the eagle soar! Like he never soared before...straight to hell.
draft him to iraq maybe? Tell him he wasn't "really" discharged, he was just discharged.

But the real bastard, besides cheney and bush, is rumsfield. He's the one that needs a "swift" boot in the ass to never neverland.......

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhgggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[Dave The Dov]

Your wish is my command!!!! BOOT and Rumsfeld goes right out of here!!!!
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Mercedes M Class