Democratic campaigners zero in on Ashcroft

Mercury News ^ | 5/27/03 | David Goldstein - Kansas City Star

[opus86]

Exactly. Not only that, but didn't the Ashcroft Justice Dept. (contrary to Reno, et al) recognize the 2nd Amendment as an individual right? It would seem difficult to enforce a police state if you believe everyone has the right to own a gun.

[winner3000]

I think the Dem strategy may alienate women. Their biggest issue seems to be the ability of the administration to keep them safe from terrorists (Americans and especially women never felt as vulnerable as they did right after Sept 11). John Ashcroft is an important reason why the terrorists have not been able yet to strike us on American soil.

[BlkConserv]

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

I consider Ashcroft a big dissapointment. But he hasn't burned any churches, kidnapped any children or murdered any reclusive congregations.

[opus86]

Agreed. Makes me wonder what a Reno Justice Dept. would've done post-9/11. My guess is, not much.

[CFC__VRWC]

LAgreed. Makes me wonder what a Reno Justice Dept. would've done post-9/11. My guess is, not much.

Maybe not much against the actual terrorists, but the Reno Justice Dept. would have been VERY busy nonetheless. Remember in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, when the Democrats and the media were foaming and spluttering with rage because the president wouldn't meet with Planned Parenthood and the other baby-killing groups to discuss anti-terrorism techniques? The excuse given - the baby-killers had all this "experience" in dealing with terrorism.

This little incident, though it has been lost in all else that has come post-9/11, to me spoke volumes about just exactly what we would be facing if the Rats had successfully stolen the 2000 election. Their idea of a "war on terrorism" would be (and continues to be) to round up and/or harrass every single conservative and religious group in this country. Even though conservative groups had nothing to do with the attacks. And the media wouldn't be whining about "civil rights violations", either - they would be loudly cheering on the Reno Justice department.

[opus86]

I'd not heard about the Dems/media suggesting that GWB collaborate with Planned Parenthood...Which begs the question, What advice could they give?..."First crush the terrorist's head, then suck out his brain."

[Attillathehon]

At the risk of sounding like Dasshole, I have to say that I'm concerned. The Rats have used this strategy before to great advantage. Remember Ken Starr and Newt Gingrich?

[CFC__VRWC]

I'd not heard about the Dems/media suggesting that GWB collaborate with Planned Parenthood...

They were in a terrible snit about this right after 9/11 - the "reasoning" went, "Well, the abortion clinics have dealt with terror threats from the right-wing nuts for years, so they have lots of practical experience in dealing with terrorism and the president is just being irresponsible for not consulting them!" It was so divorced from reality as to be laughable, but that's just another day at the office for liberalism/socialism any more.

Which begs the question, What advice could they give?..."First crush the terrorist's head, then suck out his brain."

They would never advocate such a violent approach toward a terrorist - the fact that terrorists kill thousands of our people is just evidence that we have to shower them with love and compassion and government-funded day care centers. An unborn baby, OTOH, is just like a blob of fat you pay the liposuctionist to pump out of your ass. This is "enlightened" thinking we're discussing after all.

[G Larry]

This could make it real tough for them to criticize Bush's Homeland Security measures!
If they claim he's not doing enough, how can they answer the question "What would you do differently?", without supporting measures endorsed by Ashcroft?

[Dan from Michigan]

Smart move by the dems. I'm no liberal, and I'm VERY disapointed in him as AG. He's one of the big guns behind the UNpatriot Act after fighting a similar law as a senator back when Klinton was pushing it.

[CFC__VRWC]

At the risk of sounding like Dasshole, I have to say that I'm concerned. The Rats have used this strategy before to great advantage. Remember Ken Starr and Newt Gingrich?

I think you don't give enough credit to the effects of 9/11 on the voting public. This worked for the Rats back in the days when we had their pervert president, whose idea of "pursuing terrorists" was chasing the interns around the Oval Office with his pants around his ankles. Nowdays, it just sounds like more petulant, clueless whining by the Rats.

[RJCogburn]

Ashcroft is a sanctimonious fraud. I'd love to see him go.

I don't see attacking him as successful electoral strategy for the dems, though...maybe in some primaries at best.