Attorney General John Ashcroft resigns

AP ^ | Nov. 9, 2004 | AP

[JoshuaPhillips]

Attorney General John Ashcroft resigns

(Washington-AP) Nov. 9, 2004 - The Cabinet reshuffling has already begun. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Commerce Secretary Don Evans have resigned.

They are the first members of President Bush's Cabinet to leave since he was re-elected to a second term last week.

In a handwritten, five-page letter to the president, Ashcroft wrote that "the objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved." But he goes on to say that the Justice Department would be "well served" by "new leadership and fresh inspiration."

Evans is a close friend of Bush's from Texas. He wrote that while "the promise" of Bush's second term "shines bright," he believes it's time to go home.

The resignations were announced by White House press secretary Scott McClellan, who said Bush had accepted the decisions of both secretaries.

[ClaudiusI]

B-b-but who are the liberals going to blame for "civil liberties abuses"?!

[JoshuaPhillips]

Bush seems to be having a problem with this. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Retired U.S. Army Gen. Tommy Franks, who ran the war in Afghanistan and Iraq after the Sept. 11 attacks, said on Tuesday he would not join the second Bush administration, ending speculation that he might be considered for a high-level post. "Absolutely not," Franks said when asked whether he might take a job with the administration. "I have no interest in being a politician," he replied to another question from reporters after speaking to a group that is raising money for wounded soldiers. Franks also said the location of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has not been pinned down since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. "No one has had a firm handle, a firm hand on the location of Osama bin Laden, because if we had he would either be captured or he'd be dead," Franks said.

[Patriot32]

Yeah, but he has FOUR more years to find him.

[Shermy]

Can anyone explain that to me?

How about a five page written resignation letter? Seems like he's "reaching out" but knows the love will be unrequited.

Patriot Act, Amerithrax, border, etc. Time to go.

[presidentbowen]

Ted Olsen for AG!

[FlJoePa]

My biggest problem with him was his putting Tommy Chong in jail for selling blown glass.

[Maceman]

B-b-but who are the liberals going to blame for "civil liberties abuses"?!

Whoever Bush nominates (that is, unless it's Janet Reno).

[headsonpikes]

Ashcroft gone?

Woo-hoo! Excellent.

[HitmanLV]

Sure, it's resignation letter fluff.

My last letter or resignation and public departure memo extended nice thoughts to people I didn't care for one way or another. It was insincere. It's common.

[RWRbestbyfar]

Ted Olson won't take it - I know him, he's happy being back at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.

[section9]

I suspect that Bush will nominate Rudy for the AG post. Time to start moving people into position who will be seen as reasonable alternatives to Hilly in '08.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Pinetop]

Ted Olsen won't be AG. Guiliani might like it. Also Racicot or Kyl are good possibilities. Also, Chris Cox of California would be good. There is some good talent out there.

Ashcroft had a very tough term. He was not selected with the idea that we would have a war on terror. Hopefully, the next AG will be more of a people person and more communicative.

I thought the Patriot Act was an amazingly well- tempered document under the circumstances. It could have been a whole lot worse

[HitmanLV]

Works for me!

[WoodstockCat]

Ted Olson won't take it - I know him, he's happy being back at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.

You think they can get Larry Thompson to leave Pepsi to take it?

[Right_in_Virginia]

There is some good talent out there.

Agree. The President has some good people to choose from.

[RWRbestbyfar]

I think it will be Thompson, yes. He left because he was not getting enough responsibility - heading the shop seems to take care of that.