What do you think of John Ashcroft as an attorney
general? Leslie Scarborough Fourth-year
Political Science "I guess I don’t feel that strongly about it
either way. President-elect George W. Bush has done a good job with
other cabinet members and appointments. I don’t think Janet Reno
was the best attorney general. It would be good to have a moderate
as an appointment; in that sense, I don’t believe Ashcroft would be
the best person. I tend to prefer more moderate people."
Stephanie Hsiung
Third-year
Business economics "He’s a little too conservative for my taste,
especially on the issue of abortion. He said he only supports it
when the mother’s life is in danger. But that’s not really giving
women a choice. I want an attorney general who can enforce the law
and not be prejudiced or biased. His viewpoints are just not
current with the times." Adrian Uribe Third-year
Sociology "I think he’s very hypocritical trying to come off as a
compassionate conservative when his record doesn’t indicate that he
has been one in the past. I feel strongly about a woman’s right to
choose, and I believe his personal views will make him biased. I
don’t believe he could do a good job." James
Rollins First-year Biochemistry "They should probably
confirm him since I don’t think he’s going to bring in his personal
views into the job. His job will be to enforce the law, not to
enforce the ones he agrees with. If he doesn’t he won’t be doing
his job and will garner a lot of criticism. I trust that he’ll do a
good job." Melissa Fong Third-year Physiological
science "I think that it’s a fine appointment. Abortion is just one
issue, and he said that he wasn’t going to be influenced by it.
He’s still qualified as a person; we don’t have to agree with all
his views. I’m not against him; I believe he’ll do a good job."
Joe Hunter Third-year Mechanical Engineering "I
think everyone has their own opinion on different people and on
what’s right and wrong. I personally don’t think he’ll make a good
attorney general from what he’s voiced and portrayed to the public.
If Ashcroft gets confirmed, I think civil rights will be an an
issue that will need to be addressed. People think everything is
all right, but I don’t think that’s correct." Speaks Out compiled
by Cuauhtemoc Ortega, Daily Bruin Senior Staff. Photos by Mike
Chien, Daily Bruin Contributor.