Speaking of big things is what presidential campaigns are supposed to be about. In Ashcroft's case, the visionary talk is accompanied by innovative legislative measures that would strengthen working families. For Ashcroft, balancing the budget is important, but it's not the Holy Grail. It is clear, both from these bills and from his bill to provide religious and other successful community groups with government resources to fight poverty, that, for him, the greater urgency is to rescue families and communities. This goes on every day the senator is in Washington, and his door is open to everyone.
Strangers feel like regulars for a very simple reason.
Ashcroft likes people. It is a chord the Dole campaign desperately needs to strike. Which is why Ashcroft must be put back on the short list.