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from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/12/02/MN146068.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, December 2, 2001 (SF Chronicle) Matier & Ross Report by Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross SAY WHAT?: John Ashcroft for president? Make that "very possibly a future president of the United States," says ABC pundit and New Yorker magazine legal affairs writer Jeffrey Toobin. Toobin -- who was in town the other day promoting his new book, "Too Close to Call" -- sees it this way: If V.P. Dick Cheney's health keeps him from running for the White House when his boss George W. moves on, there will be a split between backers of Colin Powell and Tom Ridge -- leaving room for Attorney General Ashcroft with his new image as the country's tough top lawman. These days, Ashcroft has been at the center of a high-profile debate over the recently announced military tribunals for suspected terrorists. Toobin says that for all the congressional wailing, most members were actually relieved that the president ordered the detentions without first consulting them. "The issue is so hard -- especially for Democrats," Toobin said. "They don't want to be in the position of voting against any anti-terrorism legislation, but they also have constituencies who strongly believe in civil liberties, so Bush let them off the hook. This way the tribunals happen, but they didn't have to vote against it." Hmmmmmm. _____________________ Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. They can also be heard on KGO Radio on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Phil Matier can be seen regularly on KRON-TV. Got a tip? Call them at (415) 777-8815. Their e-mail address is [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------- Copyright 2001 SF Chronicle http://www.sfgate.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Buy the perfect holiday gifts at Yahoo! Shopping. http://shopping.yahoo.com ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
