This is really kind of pathetic, but John Ashcroft's defense of the $52 million, no-bid contract he received from former employee Chris Christie is, well, that he's been criticized before and can take it.
"As you may or may not recall there were many people who attacked me in the way that I chose to defend America from terrorists. Those assaults did not shake my commitment to protecting American lives through terrorism attacks," he said. "Similarly, a monitor should be immune to pressure and should not allow attacks from whatever sources that contaminate the cause of justice. I will not allow external pressures to compromise my responsibilities as a monitor."
Well, yeah. But people criticized you for how you chose to defend America from terrorists because you also chose to shred the Constitution and spy on American citizens without warrants in clear violation of the law.
Which, of course, is what qualifies you to monitor a lawbreaking company as it works to comply with the law.
After all, it takes a criminal to catch a criminal.
UPDATE: Oh, it gets better and better.
"I really don't believe that Mr. Christie is a law violator. His record as a prosecutor is an outstanding record," Ashcroft said. ...
"He's made a major reputation attacking public corruption, and for this committee to attack him is inappropriate," said Ashcroft. "Here's Mr. Christie's record in the newspaper. 140 convictions. No wonder New Jersey's politicians are nervous."
I have two words for you, Mr. Ashcroft: Eliot Spitzer.
[Crossposted from Blue Jersey. Visit for more coverage of US Attorney Chris Christie.]