Here's that statement by Ashcroft spokesperson Mindy Tucker (as quoted by Jim Lehrer) referred to below: "anyone who reported this morning that he [Ashcroft] criticized anyone who opposed him was absolutely wrong, and in doing so became a part of the exact problem he was describing." In other words, Ashcroft says, in effect, "I never implied that critics of my policies are traitors, and as for any critics who say I did: you're all a bunch of traitors!"
(It's hard to resist pointing out that this reasoning evokes the rhetoric of the videotaped denial by bin Laden's henchman: "we didn't crash those planes, and if you're not careful we'll do it again." (Or words to that effect.) Of course I'm not implying that there's any affinity between Ashcroft and bin Laden other than faulty logic. I would never make such a reckless and intemperate comparison, and if he ever claims that I ever would, well, he's just as bad as bin Laden.)
I think I overdid it in describing his statement as "chilling." It's not so much chilling as it is stupid. At any rate, someone should send him and his entire staff to spin school.