Ashcroft had to recuse himself. The leaker came out of the White House and they know it. The leak was more of Bushs' retribution of a former state dept. worker who proved Bush lied in his state of the union address about Iraq seeking uranium yellowcake from Africa.

Imagine Clinton lying on that magnitude (to get us into war) in the State of the Union Address?

Additional thought: Do you think Ashcroft gets a chubby every time he walks past that nipple exposed statue?

Although John Ashcroft doesn't exactly win my favorite political figure award, I don't see that this recusal is a sign of some coverup. Ashcroft is a very political appointment by the Bush admin to favor conservative interests. (not unlike whitman was to favor moderate interests). James Comey, the new #2 at Justice has a more apolitical reputation. Putting the responsibility on his shoulders will help keep the political flap over this down. Schumer has given him rave reviews too.

As an aside, Patrick Fitzgerald, who was named as the independent counsel, had worked with Comey on the Gambino mob case. And also is reported to be a good friend of Comey's. this link has a few more details. comey

In that regard I'm not so sure that even though Fitzgerald will handle all the appointments (something Comey touted as being a sign of independence), he can be truly independent. He still reports to his friend in Justice.