The best news about the Ashcroft confirmation hearing is that, at least, we are not talking about his nanny. It's high time we stopped assuming that the only legitimate way to challenge a nominee is through the unearthing of private scandals -- drink, drugs, sordid sex and the occasional undocumented Mary Poppins. Instead of indulging in the politics of personal destruction, let's by all means engage in the politics of personal convictions and drop the pretense that the Senate's "advise and consent" does not extend to a nominee's beliefs.

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