21.   Ashcroft is certain to be questioned closely at his confirmation hearings about his efforts to keep a black judge off another federal appeals court.

22.   Ashcroft will be on his best behavior at his confirmation hearings next week, and senators will be tempted to vote for one of their own.

23.   Ashcroft vowed during his confirmation hearings that he would enforce the law as attorney general, including laws that he had battled to change.

24.   At a Senate confirmation hearing, Thompson, the governor of Wisconsin, left the door wide open to a re-examination and reassessment of the drug.

25.   Asked whether he had laid the groundwork for a difficult confirmation hearing, Bush said it would be up to the Senate to decide how the nomination proceeds.

26.   At her confirmation hearing, new Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman reiterated her commitment to the concept.

27.   At her confirmation hearing, Whitman said she had not reviewed the policy but would.

28.   At his confirmation hearings, Thompson heard sharp criticism of the agency from liberals and conservatives alike.

29.   At his Senate confirmation hearing on Friday, Thompson drew praise for that support from Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

30.   Ashcroft did not make himself available for interviews, in keeping with the practice of many presidential choices heading into confirmation hearings.