NPR: The Fall and Rise Of John Ashcroft

The Fall and Rise Of John Ashcroft

Jonah Goldberg has, as they say, hit the nail on the head. Goldberg, editor-at-large of National Review Online writes that he is amazed by the way former Attorney General John Ashcroft has been redeemed in the eyes of official Washington because of one simple act -- he said no to Alberto Gonzales.

In 2001, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) led the Democratic opposition to Ashcroft's nomination, casting Ashcroft as a terrifying religious zealot lacking the integrity, temperament and racial "sensitivity" to be attorney general. Last week, Schumer saluted Ashcroft's "fidelity to the rule of law." The liberal Web site Wonkette praised Ashcroft's "heroic stand." ... Ashcroft's rehabilitation was sealed by a Washington Post story about how the former AG was often the only firebreak against the Bush White House. Even Ralph Neas, the hyperpartisan president of People for the American Way, managed to mumble to the Washington Post that Gonzales had managed to make Ashcroft look like a "defender of the Constitution."

It made me think of my dad, who worked in politics for much of his life. He once told me about the "six-month rule" -- the public never remembers what happened more than six months ago. Anybody can be redeemed if they just wait long enough.

Richard Nixon did it ... twice. Barry Goldwater. Jimmy Carter. Bill Clinton. Now John Ashcroft. It'll be interesting to see what people think about George W. Bush six months after he's left office.

5:08 PM ET | 05-23-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I find it intriguing that readers post more comments on "the five second rule" (May 22 item) than on weightier topics on this site. (Then again, what we eat certainly is more important than anything Jonah Goldberg thinks.)

As for political redemption in the mind of the public, Mr. Regan's father's "six month rule" is close to the truth (sometimes fairly so). George W. Bush, however, might have to wait a few years, or 50, and even then will have to have left behind previously undiscovered secret personal writings revealing an inspired wisdom behind his administration that no one ever suspected. With his diary, Ronald Reagan probably has won a bit of new admiration from critics. George W. Bush will need the social and political equivalent of a theory of gravity, something that causes us to slap our heads and say, "Of course! Why didn't we see it before!"

Now, where did that chocolate chip cookie land?

Sent by Dan Hortsch | 7:17 PM ET | 05-23-2007

Six months, six years, six decades... six centuries - Bush will still be seen as the worst. If the nation still stands 2607, he'll be seen as a horrible episode. If not, he'll be seen as the beginning of the end. One ethical act by John Ashcroft does not change the trajectory of this administration.

Sent by siobhan | 10:33 PM ET | 05-23-2007

Ashcroft's 'fall', supposedly requiring 'redemption' was strictly the function of the sensibility of Washington, a Democratic town. He was always, agree or disagree, a man of some character and integrity. The ideological blinkers of most MSM journalists subjected him to the usual loaded political/cultural litmus tests. Certainly, compared to his immediate predecessor - an inept public figure but (as an orthodox liberal Democrat) a media darling - Ashcroft's career in public office looks quite good. So I'm not clear about how the current episode (and I note that Ashcroft didn't leave office and start shooting off his mouth to MSM journalists in order to sell a book or curry favor with the Beltway media) can be seen as redemptive . . . he didn't do anything in the first place requiring redemption.

One is reminded again of just to what degree religious conservatives are playing an 'away' game, complete with hometown referees, when they engage in politics in their own nation's capital. They have to please bourgeois liberals in order to get respectful press coverage.

Sent by Mark Richard | 8:49 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Jimmy Carter "redeemed?" In whose eyes? He's an embarrassment that makes Bush 2 look like a towering figure.

Sent by Bruno | 12:23 PM ET | 05-24-2007

So, is Goldberg's "redemption" of Ashcroft a comment that the former Attorney General was better than the vast majority of Americans thought of him, or that Gonzalez was far worse than anyone thought possible? As for Carter, the latest polls suggest Bruno is somewhat wide of the mark. If he goes any lower, Bush 2 will have started the 'redemption' of Jimmy C. because the people have judged the shrubster as even worse.

Sent by John R. Otten | 5:18 PM ET | 05-27-2007

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:	» List of local stations (PDF)
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
May we contact you with information about NPR programming and services? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Tom Regan

Blogger

About Us

This year's election cycle has been one of the most exciting in memory. At the NPR News Blog we'll do our best to bring you interesting, informative -- and controversial -- stories from our own reporters and bloggers, as well as the rest of the best of the Internet and blogosphere. And we hope you'll let us know what you think as well.

Want to learn more? Be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions and our discussion guidelines.