Senate narrowly confirms Ashcroft.(Chicago Tribune)

WASHINGTON _ A deeply divided Senate confirmed John Ashcroft as attorney general Thursday after a rancorous debate that surveyed some of the most polarizing issues of the times, including attitudes on race, gay rights and abortion rights.

Only eight Democrats joined the unified bloc of 50 Republicans in the 58-42 vote for Ashcroft. The 42 no votes were the second-most ever against a successful Cabinet nominee.

The bitterness of the confirmation struggle suggests that the Justice Department, which was a flashpoint for partisan skirmishing during the Clinton administration, may become even more deeply enmeshed in political conflict.

The number of votes against Ashcroft also demonstrates that liberals retain formidable power to block judicial nominations they consider threats to abortion rights, civil rights and other causes. Only 41 senators are needed to stop a nomination through a filibuster, although Democratic leaders said they did not use the tactic against Ashcroft because some party members considered it inappropriate for a Cabinet nomination.

"These are issues which we are going to continue to fight for, these are issues which are central to what this nation is about, and all of us, I think, today have reaffirmed our strong commitment to them," said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., called the sizable no vote "a shot across the bow" of the Bush administration.

Within hours of his confirmation, Ashcroft was sworn into office by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who was the subject of a hard-fought confirmation battle nearly 10 years ago.