Like U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., Wellstone is one of the few genuine progressives in the Senate. And, like Feingold, he surprised liberal constituents by declaring in December that he was sympathetic to Ashcroft’s nomination to serve in George W. Bush’s Cabinet.

A shared belief that presidents have a right to name ideological allies to their Cabinets, in combination with their personal ties developed during the years when Ashcroft served in the Senate, caused Wellstone and Feingold to view the Missourian’s nomination in a different light than did liberals who knew Ashcroft only by his record as a right-winger with a shocking penchant for opposing the nominations of qualified African-American nominees for federal positions, playing the race card in political campaigns, and praising the defenders of slavery.

But, on Friday, Wellstone confided that he had decided to oppose Ashcroft’s nomination. After placing a difficult call to his former colleague, Wellstone publicly explained his position this week.

"I’ve known John Ashcroft for some time and I consider him a friend," Wellstone said. "As I’ve said elsewhere, that such a friend can hold such harsh views has been difficult. But while I strongly disagree with him on many issues, it is his record of insensitivity to minority rights, including those of racial minorities, and his mishandling of certain nominations that is most troubling.

"There is possibly no issue more important to our future than that of racial reconciliation. But John Ashcroft’s relentless defiance of voluntary school desegregation plans in St. Louis, which prompted repeated rebukes from federal courts; his associations with Bob Jones University and Southern Partisan Magazine; and other similar incidents in his record raise serious questions about his judgment on matters related to race. In my mind, his insensitivity casts doubt on his ability to serve our nation, which must make healing our racial divide a priority, in this role."

Noting the "gross distortions" by Ashcroft of the records of qualified African-American and gay nominees for federal positions, Wellstone added, "(The) attorney general’s advisory role in the selection of federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, and the right of the Justice Department to intervene before the Supreme Court, means the influence of the attorney general will extend far beyond the president whom he serves. It is crucial, therefore, that this person be independent and fair-minded, open to arguments from opposing sides, able to take into account the experiences and views of others. I regret that John Ashcroft, despite his many admirable personal qualities, is not the right person for this position."

In deciding to oppose the nomination of a friend out of a sense of responsibility to do what is right for the nation, Wellstone made the sort of tough but unavoidable decision that is required of a U.S. senator. He also set a standard that Russ Feingold can, and should, follow.

Copyright 2001 The Capital Times

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