THE LEAHY STANDARD

‘Senator Ashcroft has often taken aggressively activist positions on a number of issues that deeply divide the American people. He had a right to take these activist positions. We have a right to evaluate how those positions would affect his conduct as attorney general.’ – Senator Patrick Leahy. Well let’s take two areas fraught with controversy: abortion and the death penalty. Ashcroft wants to save every fetus and kill every criminal convicted of a capital offense. Both positions are certainly controversial and divisive. But the current attorney-general has similarly divisive views – just diametrically opposed. She supports abortion at any time and any place for any reason, including that of partially-born infants. She has said that she thinks the only purpose of the death penalty is ‘vengeance.’ Both positions are also controversial. What was the Senate vote on Reno’s confirmation? National Review Online reminds me that it was 98 – 0. Leahy is full of it.