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JANUARY 12, 2001

Moving to recover from his fledgling administration's first setback and seeking to quell further criticism, President-elect Bush on Thursday defended two of his controversial nominees as he named Elaine Chao to head the Department of Labor.

Unlike his previous choice who withdrew her nomination after an illegal immigrant scandal, however, Chao, a former member of Bush's father's administration, drew immediate support from labor groups.

"Ms. Chao holds the professional credentials and a record of public service that qualifies her as a bona-fide candidate for the position of Labor Secretary," said Tom Buffenbarger. Buffenbarger is President of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, a group with 700,000 members.

The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, Chao joins a diverse Bush staff. His Cabinet choices now boast three women, two African-Americans, two Asian-Americans, one Hispanic, and one Lebanese-American.

But two of his most controversial nominees, John Ashcroft for Attorney General and Gale Norton for Secretary of Interior, have been challenged by civil rights groups, abortion supporters, and environmentalists who have charged the two are insensitive to issues of diversity. Bush on Thursday, however, defended the two and called on Senators to "tone down their rhetoric."

On Ashcroft, Bush countered critics' suggestions that the conservative former Missouri Senator would not enforce civil rights laws. "I do think there's going to be some interesting discussions about the law and his willingness to enforce civil rights laws, for example, and he will," said Bush.

In regards to Norton, who has been targeted for a four-year-old speech in which she said the country "lost too much" at the end of the Civil War, Bush discounted the idea that her support of states' rights would lead to an erosion of protections for minorities.

"I'd say that's just a ridiculous interpretation of what's in her heart," said Bush. "She is--she in no way, shape or form was talking about any value to slavery."

Bush also expressed no surprise that Norton's support of oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has been attacked by environmental groups. Again promising that the Department of Interior would have a "balanced policy when it comes to federal lands," he predicted she would be confirmed by the Senate.

Confirmation hearings for the two hotly contested designees begin next week, with Ashcroft's hearing before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary up first on January 16. Norton's hearing before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is scheduled for January 18.

Get the Chao Announcement:
Text: Bush Introduces Chao for Labor, Zoellick as U.S. Trade Rep (eMediaMillWorks 1/11)

Relevant Links:
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee - www.senate.gov/~energy
The Senate Judiciary Committee - www.senate.gov/~judiciary

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