Can it really be true? The initial signs from Bush would seem to indicate that he is in fact moving his administration closer to the center rather than further to the right. When I first heard the rumors that Ashcroft was probably on his way out I dismissed them. But lo and behold! And word is that he was sent unambiguous signals that his resignation would be accepted. And now today he is replaced by Alberto Gonzales. This will not make the Christian right happy. At all. As a replacement for Ashcroft it makes me very happy (the two were constantly at odds during the first four years). Gonzales is a good old fashioned Horatio Algeresque American success story: pulled himself up by his bootstraps rags to riches and all that. I know it is too much to hope for, but I am hoping nonetheless that Bush, now freed from the need to ensure his second term, is going to stop pandering to the most extreme elements of his party.
ADDENDUM: I want to be clear on this. I know that Gonzales brings problems of his own to the table (the enemy combatant business first of all), and I know that there could have been better choices. My happiness with his nomination for the post stems mostly from my extreme distaste for Ashcroft.
