"This is the fifth time I've asked Judge Gonzales to serve his fellow citizens," Bush said. "And I'm very grateful he keeps saying yes."
Gonzales, the president said, was an outstanding man who rose from poverty to achievement in his native Texas as well as in the White House, where his "sharp intellect and sound judgment have helped shape our policies in the war on terror, policies designed to protect the security of all Americans while protecting the rights of all Americans."
Bush said, "My confidence with Al was high to begin with (and) it has only grown with time" as Gonzales supervised the White House team of lawyers and vetted potential judicial nominees.
Bush's announcement, made in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, ended intense speculation over a replacement for Ashcroft, a target of Democrats and civil libertarians who accuse him of violating rights in enforcing the USA Patriot Act, enacted by Congress to help crack down on terrorists following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Ashcroft, a former U.S. senator and governor from Missouri who has suffered ill health, told Bush in a Nov. 2 -- Election Day -- handwritten latter that it was time for someone with new ideas and energy to take the post.
The White House released news of his resignation Tuesday night.
"The demands of justice are both rewarding and depleting," Ashcroft said in his resignation letter, after listing accomplishments against terror and crime. "I take great personal satisfaction in the record that has been developed.
"Yet, I believe that the Department of Justice would be well served by new leadership and fresh inspiration."
Gonzales carries an impressive resume. In addition to the posts of Texas Supreme Court judge and Texas secretary of state, he was Bush's chief adviser and liaison on Mexico and border issues. He was also an adjunct law professor and was named Lawyer of the Year by the Hispanic National Bar Association.
Gonzales, who embraced Bush as he stepped to the podium Wednesday, promised to fulfill his new duties and to be an attorney general for all Americans.
"As a former judge, I know well that some government positions require a special level of trust and integrity," he said. "The American people expect and deserve a Department of Justice guided by the rule of law, and there should be no question about the department's commitment to justice for every American. On this principle there can be no compromise."
Bush, in heralding Gonzales, his background and his commitment to enforcing all laws, noted the road to achievement wasn't always easy. Gonzales, he pointed out, grew up with seven siblings in a two-bedroom home in Texas built by his migrant-worker parents.
Gonzales' confirmation may not be without rancor. The American Civil Liberties Union Wednesday fired an opening shot in what could be a contentious confirmation process. The organization called for Senate questioning of Gonzales' positions on key civil liberty and human rights issues.
"Particular attention should be devoted to exploring Mr. Gonzales' proposed policies on the constitutionality of the Patriot Act, the Guantanamo Bay detentions (of foreign terror suspects) the designation of United States citizens as enemy combatants and reproductive rights (abortion), the ACLU wrote.
