Liberal Democrats Send a Signal

The confirmation of John Ashcroft as attorney general ends a contentious battle between liberal and moderate Democrats. Eight of the more moderate and fair-minded Democrats joined all 50 Senate Republicans to confirm Ashcroft last Thursday.

The presumption of the left, which includes the media, is that only pro-choice and pro-gay rights candidates need apply in this administration. In other words, if you're a Republican, you have to behave and believe like a liberal Democrat in order to get a job or win favor among liberals.

That much of the media does not even question these assumptions is outrageous. As Sen. Orrin Hatch said on the Senate floor, what's the point of having two parties if one must always agree with the other?

This was just a warm up for the Supreme Court. Liberals sent President Bush a signal that if he nominates anyone who is remotely pro-life, they and their left wing organizations will try to smear that candidate as they smeared John Ashcroft.

I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.