The attorney general plays a role in bringing people together, ... But Senator Ashcroft has often taken aggressively activist positions on a number of issues that deeply divide the American people. He had a right to take these positions, but we also have a right and duty to evaluate how these position will affect his conduct as attorney general.

Senator Patrick Leahy
245

A train wreck in slow motion.

Senator Patrick Leahy
213
Has gone way beyond anything that the United States said it would tolerate. -Senator Patrick Leahy
195

I think what is troubling is not John Ashcroft as a person.

Senator Patrick Leahy
176

When terrorists strike, first responders are the first people we turn to.

Senator Patrick Leahy
167
This man is a proverbial bull in the china shop. -Senator Patrick Leahy
151

You get fifteen democrats in a room, and you get twenty opinions.

Senator Patrick Leahy
144

The President and Vice-President have been consistent alright-consistently wrong. There is no value in that.

Senator Patrick Leahy
144
The position of attorney general is of extreme importance, ... The attorney general needs the full confidence of the president, and needs the full confidence and trust of the American people. -Senator Patrick Leahy
137

I would hope they would look at the record that was made during the last Congress going over his background, the number of times he was reversed on cases, the number of times he did not follow the law as laid down in his own circuit, and that they would say they could probably do a better choice than that.

Senator Patrick Leahy
86