While President Bush has only been in power for 2 1/2 weeks, he has already begun to put his new agenda into action, thus changing the tone in Washington. Before his cabinet was even in place we witnessed heated debates, partisan politics and a Senate divided.

All throughout his campaign for the presidency, Bush emphasized the fact that he would bring both Democrats and Republicans together to reform such pressing issues as education, tax relief and our nation’s defense. While he promised to be a “uniter and not a divider,” Bush’s selection of John Ashcroft for U.S Attorney General infuriated enough Democrats to warrant a filibuster on the Senate floor.

So, the question remains, if Bush has chosen such conservative leaders as Ashcroft and Gale Norton (his nominee for Interior Secretary, who shares his vision of using wildlife refuge in Alaska for oil exploration), can Bush truly achieve bipartisanship in Washington? Is Bush living up to his vow of being a uniter and not a divider?

Here are some points to consider:

• Many Democrats opposed Ashcroft because of his extreme conservative views. For instance, Ashcroft spoke out against a voluntary school desegregation plan as Missouri’s State Attorney General. In your opinion, is Ashcroft as conservative as Democrats are making him out to be? If so, do you feel that the President should have made more moderate choices for his cabinet, or are you happy with more conservative choices?



• During his testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Ashcroft testified that he would enforce the law, regardless of his personal beliefs on controversial issues like abortion. In fact, Ashcroft cited the case of Roe v. Wade as the “settled law” despite his own personal objections to the ruling. Do you think Ashcroft can uphold the laws of the land without letting his personal opinions sway his judgment?



• While those to the political left disagree with Ashcroft’s conservative position on such controversial issues as abortion, gay rights and the death penalty, politicians on both sides of the political spectrum recognize him as a man of integrity. Senator Robert G. Torricelli, a Democrat from New Jersey, said recently in the New York Times, “there aren’t a lot of issues on which he and I agree. But it is difficult to make an argument that he is not a person of great ability and integrity”. Do you agree with Torricelli?



• How do you feel about Bush’s nomination of Gale Norton as Secretary of the Interior? Do you agree with her position on using wildlife refuge in Alaska for oil exploration?



• How do you feel about Bush’s cabinet nominations in general? Will they set a precedent for what will occur in Washington over the next four years? Will President Bush be able to reach across party lines to realize his vision for America?