Philanthropist James Hormel said that Ashcroft opposed his 1997 nomination as ambassador to Luxembourg because he is openly gay. Ashcroft had told the committee it was the “totality of the record” that caused him to reject Hormel. But when pressed to elaborate in a written follow-up, he clearly implied that sexual preference was the issue, saying he didn’t think Hormel “would effectively represent the United States in Luxembourg, the most Roman Catholic country in all of Europe.” (Clinton appointed Hormel during a Senate recess.) The other charge came from health-care expert Paul Offner, who said that the then Missouri Governor Ashcroft quizzed him on his sexual orientation during a 1985 interview for a top state job. Offner, a Democrat who says he came forward on his own after watching the hearings, recalls Ashcroft asking, “Do you have the same sexual preference as most men?” (The answer was yes; Offner wasn’t hired.) Ashcroft says he doesn’t recall the meeting and can’t imagine asking the question.
The latest allegations aren’t likely to topple Ashcroft. All 50 Republicans and at least three Democrats are set to support him when the nomination reaches the floor after a committee vote that is expected this week. Liberal interest groups will continue to pressure wavering senators, but concede that the goal now is 40 “no” votes–a warning to the White House that more bruising battles over Justice Department jobs lie ahead.
