Washington, D.C. (Feb. 1) – Following is a statement from Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.) regarding the Senate confirmation vote of Sen. John Ashcroft for U.S. Attorney General:

"On the whole, I believe that any president's choice for Cabinet positions deserves a degree of deference. Cabinet nominees should not be subject to ideological litmus tests, nor should they be rejected purely for partisan reasons. They most certainly should not be disapproved due to strongly held religious convictions. As a matter of fact, I believe that Sen. Ashcroft's strong religious beliefs are an asset. However, his words and his record as Missouri Attorney General and as U.S. Senator will make it difficult for him to adhere to the promise that President Bush made in his inaugural address, to unite the nation and not divide it.

"The U.S. Attorney General is not the president's lawyer. He is a lawyer for all of us, regardless of race, religion or political stripe. The Attorney General is the people's lawyer. Therefore, the Attorney General should be a person who has a history of bridging ideological spectrums to build consensus and bring unity. Not only does Sen. Ashcroft's record reject that notion, he has often stated that compromise is not good for America.

"Now that he has been confirmed, however, I hope he will take care to listen to the voices of those who supported him as well as those who opposed him, to embrace moderation and compromise. Our nation will be better and stronger for it.

"I join with Sen. Breaux in urging President Bush to appoint an Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights who has a strong background in that area and who would serve as a signal to those who opposed Sen. Ashcroft that the President is sincere in his efforts to reach across the ideological divide."