M.U. political science professor Rick Hardy sees John Ashcroft winning confirmation as Attorney General fairly easily. President-elect George W. Bush announced Ashcroft as his nominee earlier today. Hardy thinks the strongest questions will come from the Senate Judiciary committee, about his positions on abortion and the separation of church and state. But he thinks Ashcroft will benefit from being heard before his senate colleagues. Hardy thinks conservatives will be overjoyed with the nomination. He’s not sure where the job will lead Ashcroft, saying it’s not especially conducive to running for President or running for U.S. Senate again. Hardy ran for congress as a Republican in 1994.