In addition, the president's action could complicate the confirmation of Attorney General-designate John Ashcroft. While Ashcroft appears to be headed for confirmation, Bush's decision to reinstate what abortion rights activists call the "global gag rule" could spur pro-choice organizations to redouble their efforts to stop Ashcroft, an avid pro-lifer.

New information about Ashcroft's record has also emerged to fuel the fervor of his ideological foes. In a 1997 speech to the conservative Heritage Foundation, Ashcroft decried "judicial tyranny," citing court decisions upholding desegregation, affirmative action and abortion rights as proof that the judicial branch is out of control.

Sen. John McCain has frequently said that the campaign finance system has gotten out of control, and he's aiming to fix it immediately, with or without Bush's help. In a Monday morning press conference, the Arizona Republican, flanked by congressional allies, announced that he would press for the Senate to move right away on the McCain-Feingold-Cochran campaign finance reform bill.

The legislation would ban soft money -- unregulated donations to political parties from unions, businesses and wealthy Americans. Though Bush has been vocal in his opposition to the bill, McCain said he had no intention of harming or embarrassing the president in pushing reform forward. Still, he believes the bill should be considered soon, before reform-shy senators and representatives figure out a way to thwart it. For campaign finance reform, "delay means death," McCain said.
-- Alicia Montgomery [6 a.m. PST, Jan. 23, 2001]

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