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Morning News

Ashcroft Nomination: Fmr. Ambassador Hormel, Gay Community Express Opposition to Attorney General-Designate

Aired January 25, 2001 - 11:01 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Little by little, President Bush has been getting his Cabinet together, but the Senate vote for his attorney general nominee has been delayed. A new story now is emerging concerning John Ashcroft.

The latest now from CNN national correspondent Bob Franken.

Bob, good morning.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

And what is being discussed is opposition to Ashcroft by various groups that represent the gay community in the United States. And a news conference has just been completed in which James Hormel appeared.

Now, James Hormel was the first openly gay U.S. ambassador. He was the ambassador to Luxembourg. But when he was up for Senate confirmation, John Ashcroft opposed him. And when the Ashcroft hearings occurred last week, Ashcroft said it was not because Hormel was gay, but because he had known him for a very long time, since they were both at the University of Chicago, as a matter of fact, and that the opposition had to do with Hormel's record.

Hormel says, quote, "Let me be very clear about the facts. I cannot recall ever in my life having a conversation with Mr. Ashcroft."

Hormel, as a result, as drawn some very strong feelings about the fitness of Ashcroft to be attorney general.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES HORMEL, FORMER AMBASSADOR: What brings me before you today is my very deep concern, based upon my own experience, that Mr. Ashcroft will use the power of his office to impose his beliefs upon others and to deny equal protection of the law to those Americans who do not share his personal and political beliefs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: Now, Ashcroft's response has been consistent, that, in fact, while he does have strong beliefs, that as the person who administers the laws, he would ignore those beliefs when necessary because he believes that the law is supreme.

There was a news conference, was a group of the organizations who oppose Ashcroft still trying to whip up opposition to him as it looks like Ashcroft's confirmation is likely. The committee confirmation of him has been delayed a week so the opponents can have as much time as they feel they need to try and cause something to stop what looks like a certain confirmation -- Daryn.

KAGAN: So, Bob, Janet Reno's gone. Who's running the Justice Department?

FRANKEN: As a matter of fact, a fellow by the name of Eric Holder. He was the deputy attorney general. He's somebody who was highly regarded on both sides of the political aisle. And the way that the law is set up, it had to be somebody who had been, in fact, confirmed by the Senate. Holder, as deputy attorney general, had been, so he is the one in charge until the new attorney general gets there.

KAGAN: Very good. Bob Franken on Capitol Hill, thank you very much.

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