Ashcroft Taking Fire From GOP Stalwarts

Of course the Republican most quoted is Otter, who was one of three Republicans who voted against the Patriot Act. His recent amendment to the act passed 309-118 in the House.

One Republican who has discussed the matter with White House officials said that, at the very least, Ashcroft is taking the heat instead of Bush. "This gives Bush some distance, because this is an issue with liabilities," he said. The White House may be "sending [Ashcroft] out to see if it works, to test the waters, to see how mad people are," he added.

And if enough antipathy attaches itself to Ashcroft, can we expect his resignation letter some Friday afternoon?

Ashcroft Taking Fire From GOP Stalwarts (washingtonpost.com)

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