posted on Nov, 9 2004 @ 05:13 PM
United States Attorney General John Ashcroft and Commerce Secretary Don Evans have resigned today.
Attorney General John Ashcroft has been a focal subject of critics for his use of strong tactics to fight terrorism. His aides said on Thursday, he is
expected to step down. Now that he has stepped down, this makes him among the first Cabinet officials to depart after the recent election. It has been
said that Ashcroft was becoming "worn down" by the intense demands of the job since the Sept. 11 attacks, according to ABC News. His health has be
strained and he was out for about one year to have his gallbladder removed after a severe bout of pancreatitis. John Ashcroft is a former U.S. senator
and Missouri governor, who has been at the Justice Department, advocating the USA Patriot Act.
Speculation now begins as to who his likely successor will be.
A leading contender is thought to be his former deputy,
- Larry Thompson who ran the Justice Department�s corporate-fraud task force.
- Marc Racicot, former Montana Governor and Chairman of Bush's re-election campaign.
- Alberto Gonzalas, White House Council.
Also, speculation talk has included former New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, although he would be quite a wild card personality that might even
overshadow the current President.