GregF,

you're probably right. Although his office was high-profile, the whole "Homeland Security" office was underfunded (probably deliberately) by the Bush administration. And although I despise everything this office stands for, I got the impression Ashcroft himself is not a selfish prat mouthing stuff he doesn't believe in (like, say, Rice or Cheney is).

DougR,

I hope you're right about the confirmation process....

Doug (darkriver)