Ashcroft, Evans resign from Cabinet

[KingPK 0]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/09/...ions/index.html

 

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In the first signs of a second-term shakeup for the Bush administration, Attorney General John Ashcroft and Commerce Secretary Don Evans have resigned, the White House announced Tuesday evening.

 

Ashcroft's resignation will become effective upon confirmation of a successor, Justice Department officials said. There were no immediate details on when Evans' resignation would take effect.

 

Ashcroft, a former senator and two-term governor of Missouri, has garnered criticism during his nearly four years as attorney general on issues like the Patriot Act, which backers say helps the government in its fight against terrorism and critics say infringes on civil liberties.

 

In July, Ashcroft released a progress report and said the Patriot Act "saves lives" and was "al Qaeda's worst nightmare." Portions of the law are set to expire in December 2005.

 

His confirmation hearing in January 2000 was filled with sharply divided debate. Ashcroft's critics highlighted his longstanding conservative political and religious views -- especially his anti-abortion stance.

 

Yet those views have also made him a favorite of many on the right, especially religious conservatives.

 

Eventually the Senate voted 58-42 for his confirmation -- an usually narrow margin for confirming a Cabinet official.

 

Ashcroft was treated for gallstone pancreatitis in March, and his recovery kept him out of the office for nearly a month. In his handwritten resignation letter, dated November 2, he told Bush the job has been "both rewarding and depleting."

 

"I believe that the Department of Justice would be well served by new leadership and fresh inspiration," he said. "I believe that my energies and talents should be directed toward other challenging horizons."

 

In a statement from the White House, Bush said Ashcroft "has worked tirelessly to help make our country safer" and "served our nation with honor, distinction, and integrity."

 

"During his four years at the Department of Justice, John has transformed the department to make combating terrorism the top priority, including making sure our law enforcement officials have the tools they need to disrupt and prevent attacks," Bush said.

 

Evans, who served as Bush's campaign chairman in 2000, is a longtime friend and one of the president's closest advisers. In his resignation, dated Tuesday, he congratulated Bush on last week's election results but said he concluded "with deep regret that it is time for me to return home."

 

"It is a blessing to have served America with such an extraordinary leader and a true friend," he said.

 

In response, Bush called Evans "one of my most trusted friends and advisers" and "a valuable member of my economic team."

 

"Don has worked to advance economic security and prosperity for all Americans. He has worked steadfastly to make sure America continues to be the best place in the world to do business," the president said.

 

President Bush met with his Cabinet on Thursday and held a news conference later that day. At that time Bush said he had yet to make any decisions about replacements for any people who resigned.

 

"I don't know who they'll be," he said. "It's inevitable. There'll be some changes. It happens in every administration."

 

Bush said Thursday that he was proud of every member of the Cabinet and his staff, and that he understood that they had exhausting jobs and made many family sacrifices.

[Guest Cerebus]

Well expected that Ashcroft would go. Good-bye and good riddance.

[Guest JMA]

Well, this certainly is good news. I just hope whoever replaces Ashcroft isn't a religious fanatic.

[DerangedHermit 0]

And the angels sing...

[Mole 0]

Atleast something good came out of Bush winning.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Atleast something good came out of Bush winning.

Something tells me Kerry wouldn't have kept Ashcroft on, either.

[NoCalMike 0]

It can't get much worse then Ashcroft. Here is hoping Bush makes sure there is an improvement in that area.

[Mole 0]

Atleast something good came out of Bush winning.

Something tells me Kerry wouldn't have kept Ashcroft on, either.

Really?

[The Czech Republic 0]

Giuliani would be a fine replacement

[NoCalMike 0]

Giuliani would be a fine replacement

ermm, no.

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

It can't get much worse then Ashcroft.

[Guest UncleKimmyGibler]

KIMMY GIBBLER FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

At least we could all laugh at Keyes.

[Guest UncleKimmyGibler]

KIMMY GIBBLER FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

[Guest keelebasa]

The next devil may well be worse than the last one. Can it get worse than the guy who lost to a dead guy? Sure, it can. Chances are it will.

 

Plus, I wouldn't be at all surprised if President Bush nominates John Ashcroft to fill a U.S. Supreme Court vacancy, if and when Justice Thomas replaces Chief Justice Rehnquist on it.

 

What do you all think of the above scenario?

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

The next devil may well be worse than the last one. Can it get worse than the guy who lost to a dead guy? Sure, it can. Chances are it will.

 

Plus, I wouldn't be at all surprised if President Bush nominates John Ashcroft to fill a U.S. Supreme Court vacancy, if and when Justice Thomas replaces Chief Justice Rehnquist on it.

 

What do you all think of the above scenario?

No way does Ashcroft survive a fillibuster in the Senate. He's about the least likely Supreme Court justice I can think of.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Ashcroft is too old to be nominated to the Supreme Court. President Bush will look for someone in their late 40's to early 50's who can around for 30 years.

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

At least we could all laugh at Keyes.

True.