Richard Shelby: “Over the past 8 years, I believe our Justice Department has floundered dangerously, challenging our most basic…”

“Over the past 8 years, I believe our Justice Department has floundered dangerously, challenging our most basic understanding of the rule of law and starkly reminding us in America of the awesome power of the Federal Government and the dangers that the exercise of that power can present to a free society such as ours. I believe public confidence in our system of justice has been seriously damaged in the past 8 years and that our country has suffered as a consequence. I believe it is time to restore the public trust, and I do not believe there is a better qualified or more honorable man to do that job than Senator John Ashcroft, our former colleague. Indeed, he is one of the most, if not the most, experienced nominees for Attorney General we have ever had in our history. What is most outstanding about Senator Ashcroft is not his resume... It is the strength of that character that makes him so well suited to be Attorney General of the United States.”