Ashcroft uses state political appearance for Patriot Act

The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- Former U.S. attorney general John Ashcroft urged reauthorization of the Patriot Act, saying the country deserves a law that will "allow us to continue to fight terror and disrupt terror."

Ashcroft called for the act's reauthorization at a Missouri Republican Party fund raiser Thursday night in St. Louis. It was his first appearance at a major Missouri political event in four years.

Ashcroft, a former attorney general, governor and U.S. senator for Missouri, predicted Congress would end up re-approving the act by large margins.

The act was passed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, but critics have since called for changes, citing privacy and civil liberties concerns. Fifteen of the laws' provisions are to expire at the end of this year.

"By and large, the Patriot Act was simply a way of bringing into the 21st century the tools that were available against organized crime and drug dealers" and applying them against would-be terrorists, Ashcroft said.

"The American people deserve a Patriot Act that will allow us to continue to fight terror and disrupt terror." Ashcroft was honored at the event with the party's Spirit of Enterprise Award and received praise from many of the state's top Republicans, including Gov. Matt Blunt.

Ashcroft recounted how he owed his 33 years in public service to Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo.

In 1972, Bond was state auditor and had just gotten elected governor. He called Ashcroft, who had just lost a congressional race, to ask if he'd be willing to be appointed as state auditor to finish out Bond's term.

"I've always been afraid to ask Kit Bond, 'Why did you call me?'" Ashcroft quipped, adding that he feared that Bond would reply that he had dialed the wrong number.

Since leaving the Justice Department a few months ago, Ashcroft has started a consulting business and is traveling around the country making speeches on politics and policy.

Ashcroft was also planning to be host for a reception today in Springfield, Mo., for Sen. Jim Talent, who is running for re-election next year.

The event is expected to raise about $150,000 for Talent, a Republican who does not yet have a Democratic opponent in the race.