By Munir K. Nasser
Chief Correspondent, Washington, DC
Albawaba.com
George W. Bush’s first task as president-elect is to name his potential cabinet members and White House staff appointees. On the top of his list of key players is General Colin Powell as secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, as national security adviser, and Andrew Card, as White House Chief of staff.
According to Newsweek, Bush has already given Card, the former transportation secretary and a veteran of his father’s administration, the post of chief of staff. He was deputy chief of staff under John Sununu during President Bush’s administration.
Condoleezza Rice, candidate for the foreign policy adviser, is former provost of Stanford University. She seems destined to be named national security adviser. She would be the first woman and the first African-American ever to hold that post.
General Colin Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is expected to become secretary of state. A trusted adviser to Bush’s father, Powell spent has spent a significant amount of time with Bush during the past five weeks.
The list also includes Senator John B. Breaux, the Louisiana Democrat, who has been mentioned as a contender for Bush’s cabinet.
John Keating, the Oklahoma governor, a former FBI agent and lawyer, will likely to be appointed attorney general.
John C. Lawn, the former head of the Drug Enforcement Administration during the Reagan and Bush eras has been mentioned as the new head of the FBI.
Paul Celluci, the Massachusetts governor has been discussed as the possible transportation chief and for several other posts.
Former television reporter Karen Hughes, one of Bush’s campaign's most visible faces, would likely be Bush's press secretary. She served as Bush’s loyal communications director and chief spokesperson.
Karl Rove, Bush’s chief campaign strategist who has been working on transition matters with Dick Cheney, is likely to have a role in the administration, though it’s uncertain at this time which job he would take.
Joe Allbaugh, Bush’s campaign manager, has no particular job, but he will likely end up with a high-profile title and considerable influence.
Don Evans, Bush’s longtime friend and campaign chairman has been rumored to be in line for either secretary of energy or commerce.
Marc Racicot, the Montana governor has been mentioned as a possible attorney general, but he is more likely to get the job of interior secretary.
Tommy G. Thompson, the governor of Wisconsin will likely end up in the cabinet. He’s been discussed for various positions, as the head of the departments of transportation, education, and health and human services.
Bush is said to be likely to pick a Wall Street heavyweight to head up Treasury department. Those reportedly in contention: Donald Marron, chairman of PaineWebber; John Hennessy, former chief executive of Credit Suisse First Boston; and Walter Shipley, former head of Chase Manhattan.
Washington analysts believe Bush will very likely have to reach out to conservative Democrats to get his programs through the highly divided Congress. The names of a few Democrats have been mentioned, including Representative Ralph Hall, a Democrat from Bush’s home state of Texas, who has been mentioned as a possible secretary of Energy. Both Alabama Representative Robert Cramer Jr. and Texas Representative Charles Stenholm have been discussed for the position of Agriculture secretary. And former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn has been mentioned as Defense secretary, though he has already said he is not interested.
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