Ashcroft has now delivered his first speech aimed at garnering public support for the Patriot and Victory Acts. But he's not stopping there. He announced today a new Government website dedicated to the "success" of the Government in the Terror War.

Democratic Presidential hopefuls Howard Dean and John Edwards were not impressed:

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean said "(Ashcroft) must not be allowed to compromise our freedoms any further" and called for a rollback of "anti-terror tactics that go far beyond protecting our country and erode the rights of average Americans." North Carolina Sen. John Edwards said Ashcroft's Justice Department "has rolled over our rights for the last two years."

Then there was this piece of dissemination today:

Justice Department spokeswoman Barbara Comstock -- wearing a white t-shirt that said "Freedom" in red letters across the front -- dismissed criticism of the Patriot Act as the work of "a small, vocal minority" spreading misinformation.