Ashcroft Discussed Faith at Bob Jones

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (AP) - Attorney General-designate John Ashcroft spoke about his faith, not issues, when he received an honorary degree from Bob Jones University in 1999, a congressman recalled Friday.

Rep. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was on the stage during Ashcroft's commencement remarks, which have been sought by the Senate Judiciary Committee in preparation for confirmation hearings next week.

Ashcroft's conservative views have drawn opposition from liberal organizations and some Democrats, but the woman whose husband posthumously defeated Ashcroft said she would introduce him Tuesday.

While she did not commit to support him, Sen. Jean Carnahan, D-Mo., agreed to the introduction at Ashcroft's request, her top aide told The Associated Press. Ashcroft's allies contended this was a favorable signal to other Democrats.

Graham, who also was presented an honorary degree at the 1999 commencement, commented that Ashcroft said nothing about race, sexual orientation or other issues of the day. Rather, he spoke "about faith and how it affected him in his life," Graham said.

"It was consistent with the moment," he said.

He described Ashcroft's critics as "a group (of people) that has an agenda of making sure government leans to the left and not to the right. They feel threatened by religious conservatism."

President-elect Bush's nominee to head the Justice Department is his most controversial Cabinet choice, with much of the criticism raised by Senate Democrats. The GOP will have a one-vote majority in the Senate following inauguration Jan. 20.

Carnahan will reserve judgment on the nomination until hearings have concluded, she said in a letter to Ashcroft. "However, I am glad to extend the home-state courtesy of introducing you at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday," she wrote.

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