>>"According to a top official, Ashcroft asked aloud after one meeting: "Why are we talking about this in the White House? History will not judge this kindly." <<

"Ashcroft was troubled by the discussions. He agreed with the general policy decision to allow aggressive tactics and had repeatedly advised that they were legal. But he argued that senior White House advisers should not be involved in the grim details of interrogations, sources said."

They all signed off on it. Ashcroft managed to get this quote of his into the national media. He wanted it done, but he wanted plausible deniability and/or distance from detailed allegations. Rice took charge of the issue, stayed involved, and took responsibility off of the CIA and onto herself.

Which of the two deserves a warmer room in Hades?