NO MORE SINGING THE BLUES: LOCAL GOP HAILS ASHCROFT AS MORAL LEADER

In an intriguing political about-face, U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft of Missouri lost his re-election bid to a dead governor last month but was nominated on Friday by President-elect George W. Bush to be the next U.S. attorney general.

Local Republicans hail the nomination of one of their own as an appropriate change in the office of the nation's chief law enforcement officer.

"I think it is a fabulous appointment," said state Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau. "No one is better qualified by experience, judgment, temperament and commitment to the rule of law to go in and clean up the Janet Reno cesspool."

Before being elected governor, Ashcroft was Missouri's attorney general.

Kinder said the appointment of Ashcroft shows Bush "has guts to spare."

But Cris Edwards, secretary of the Cape Girardeau County Democratic Central Committee, said local Democrats are concerned because Ashcroft is "so far to the right."

"Were we surprised? Not really," she said. "Confirmation could be interesting."

Ashcroft, 58, has recorded several albums of gospel music. He is the son of an Assemblies of God minister and doesn't drink, smoke, or dance.

David Barklage, the Republican elector for the 8th Missouri Congressional District, said Ashcroft's character would be an asset to the post.

"He's a safe choice because he has a good relationship with his Senate colleagues. He has an impeccable record, which should avoid any controversy with the nomination," said Barklage.

Southeast Missouri State University political science professor Peter Bergerson said the appointment is an honor for Ashcroft and for the state of Missouri.

"The position of attorney general is one of the top four Cabinet posts," said Bergerson, who chairs the political science department at Southeast.

Ashcroft could face opposition from some liberals and moderates over his close association with the Religious Right, Bergerson said. But he said he expects the Senate to confirm Ashcroft's appointment.

"I don't think there will be members of the Senate that will be openly hostile to him," Bergerson said.

In his Senatorial re-election bid this year, Ashcroft was in a statistical tie in the polls with Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan when Carnahan died in a plane crash south of St. Louis while campaigning on Oct. 16. Three weeks later, Ashcroft lost to Carnahan -- whose name still appeared on the ballot -- by about 49,000 of the 2.3 million votes cast. Carnahan's widow, Jean, will fill the Senate seat.

Ashcroft was the governor of Missouri for two terms before he moved to the Senate in 1994.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.