President George W. Bush wants Alberto Gonzales to take Attorney General John Ashcroft's place.

Bush introduced Gonzales, the chief White House counsel, to the media Wednesday, praising his "sharp intellect and sound judgment" in helping to fight the war on terror while protecting peoples' rights.

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Gonzales Nominated To Be Attorney General

Gonzales said that he wants to "move forward to make Amercian better, safer and stronger."

Bush called on the Senate to move quickly to confirm his choice, but it could be as late as January, when the new Congress begins work, before the process gets under way.

Gonzales is one of the most prominent Hispanics in the administration.

Bush called him a "calm and steady voice in times of crisis."

Ashcroft announced his resignation Tuesday.

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Biography: Alberto Gonzales

Both the president and Gonzales praised Ashcroft for his work as attorney general.

Accepting the nomination and quoting a prayer, Gonzales said, "Just give me a chance to prove myself."

Gonzales has long been eyed as a leading candidate to fill a Supreme Court vacancy.

His career has been linked to Bush for at least a decade. He served as general counsel when Bush was governor of Texas. He also served as secretary of state and as a justice on the Texas Supreme Court.

He's been involved in the Bush administration's approach to civil liberties and fighting terrorism.

He wrote a controversial memo in which Bush claimed the right to waive anti-torture law and international treaties to protect prisoners of war.

One liberal Democrat has already welcomed the appointment of "someone less polarizing" to the position. Sen. Charles Schumer says Gonzales is already "a better candidate than John Ashcroft."