Ex-US AG Ashcroft endorses Tiahrt for Senate

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OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) -- Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has endorsed fellow Republican Todd Tiahrt's (TEE-hart's) U.S. Senate campaign.

Ashcroft on Friday also criticized the Obama administration for deciding to try a group of suspects in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists in federal court rather than a military tribunal.

He said the decision would endanger the safety of Americans and that the suspects should remain in military custody as enemy combatants, not criminal defendants.

Ashcroft, a former two-term Missouri governor and senator, served as attorney general under President George W. Bush.

Tiahrt, a congressman, is running against Rep. Jerry Moran for the Republican Senate nomination.