As a decision on the confirmation of Attorney General-designate John Ashcroft lurks around the corner, two campus groups are trying to block the confirmation in their own way.
The College Democrats and Students for Choice have begun a campaign aimed at influencing the two people in Oregon who can make a difference: Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Gordon Smith, R-Ore.
Since Thursday, the groups have been asking students to sign postcards requesting that the senators oppose Ashcroft’s confirmation. The cards say that Ashcroft is “out of touch” with Oregonians’ views and that his own views are too extreme.
The groups are also encouraging students to write the senators themselves.
Ashcroft’s nomination has encountered a wave of controversy, as many Democrats contend that Ashcroft — who has taken stances against gay rights, civil rights, gun control, environmental protection and abortion — will not enforce federal laws as they are written.
Some believe he will even try to change them.
“I would have a hard time believing that anyone, myself included, could go into that position and disconnect from pre-existing views,” said Arlie Adkins, a member of the College Democrats.
Sara Poynter, Students for Choice director, said her group is worried about Ashcroft’s taking the post of attorney general because of his far-right stance on abortion issues.
“He’s an anti-choice activist who doesn’t trust women to make their own choices about child-bearing,” she said.
Poynter added that not only is Ashcroft against exceptions for abortions in the case of rape or incest, he also wants to ban common forms of contraception.
“We really feel that John Ashcroft is way too conservative for this country,” said Jed McGuire, co-chairman of the College Democrats. “And we really don’t believe that he will enforce the laws.”
Some members of the College Republicans said they understand Democratic complaints that Ashcroft will not enforce federal laws as they are written.
“That’s a valid concern,” junior sociology major Chris Fosnight said. “But that’s not going to happen.”
The College Democrats are not so sure.
“If we did have faith in him,” McGuire said, “we wouldn’t be mounting this campaign against him.”
With confirmation likely — several Democrats and Republicans in Congress have already pledged to endorse Ashcroft as attorney general — the campaign might not have the ultimate effect of keeping Ashcroft out of office.
However, McGuire said, “it’s never over.”
But the campaign is also touching upon another political level.
Adkins said he hopes the postcards and letters will make some public officials, including Ashcroft and Smith, aware that they are being monitored.
Smith is up for re-election in two years, Adkins said, which means his vote on Ashcroft will impact the outcome of his own election.
Senior English major Scott Austin, a member of the College Republicans, said Smith needs to pay attention to his Republican base.
“Let Wyden not vote for Ashcroft,” he said. “Smith can’t afford to.”
Adkins and Poynter said that most of all, they want to make students aware of what is coming their way.
“The real tragedy wouldn’t be so much that Ashcroft were confirmed,” Adkins said. “More than anything, we want to inform students about what’s going on.”
Their efforts will continue until a final decision has been made, which could happen as early as this week.
Students initiate postcard campaign to reject Ashcroft
Daily Emerald
January 21, 2001
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