So when Bush appointed John Ashcroft, a staunch conservative from Missouri (and by staunch I mean really damn conservative), attorney general, he seemingly rescinded his commitment to healing the nation.
Most remember Ashcroft for losing to the dead Gov. Mel Carnahan in a close race for the Senate in Missouri in November. Many also recognize Ashcroft as an extreme right-wing Republican, and his voting record reflects it. A poster boy for the Christian Coalition, Ashcroft opposes all forms of birth control and in 1999 received an honorary degree from Bob Jones University, a Christian university with a controversial doctrine.
Already, there have been protests against Ashcroft, and polls show the country is split on his appointment. Democratic senators have more than hinted that Ashcroft will be the brunt of much resistance in the Senate.
Ashcroft's opponents wonder whether a man with such extreme political beliefs can fairly enforce laws without bias or prejudice. They point to his voting record and racial insensitivity as evidence that Ashcroft cannot.
But before becoming a senator, Ashcroft served as Missouri attorney general for two terms. And for both of those terms he was elected, not appointed. The issue of his voting record is a moot one. As a senator, Ashcroft was free to vote however his political desires warranted.
On the case of racial insensitivity, John Ashcroft has made serious political errors. Many black people revile him, but there are also many who support him. By many accounts, from both sides of the Senate aisle, Ashcroft is an upstanding and ethical man who would follow the law, not his own wants if appointed.
What seems to be the real issue here has nothing to do with Ashcroft serving as a fair and impartial attorney general. The real issue has more to do with the campaign promises of George W. Bush - campaign promises that he has failed to keep so far.
He ran on healing, moderation and unity. Apparently, Bush failed to mention that his concept of unity hinged upon the opposition rolling over, wetting their pants and dying.
During the 2000 presidential race, Bush constantly fielded questions concerning the Supreme Court and abortion by assuring Americans that he would appoint moderate justices. He pointed to his nominees for the Texas Supreme Court as evidence that he was a moderate Republican who would sweep away the liberal excesses of the Clinton years with temperance.
