Friday, November 5, 2004; Page A01
Some See a Shake-Up in the Offing
(snip)
The most intense speculation centers on Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, whose rumored retirement would reconfigure the war team and perhaps lead to a broader reshuffling of Bush's national security team. Powell, however, has told friends he might stay for a few months or well into next year.
Tom Ridge, the secretary of homeland security, has told his friends he is likely to depart at the beginning of next year, people who know him said.
The domestic agencies might see more major changes, administration officials said. While a few Cabinet heads, including Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, are rethinking retirement plans in the wake of the GOP's triumph in Tuesday's election, several departures are considered highly likely in the weeks and months ahead. Attorney General John D. Ashcroft tops this list. He wants to leave for health and personal reasons , and the White House would like to replace him, a person who recently spoke with Ashcroft said.
Cabinet secretaries planning to leave have been told to inform the president in the next few weeks. "It's inevitable there will be changes," Bush told reporters yesterday. "It happens in every administration."
(snip)
Current and former administration officials said the departures will be staggered over the next nine months, because Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. believes that Bush would not be able to pursue the aggressive legislative agenda he has planned with a Cabinet filled with acting secretaries and his nominees awaiting confirmation.
"Even people who really, really, really want to go have been told they may have to wait," said a former administration official privy to the conversations. "Andy will not let everyone walk out the door at once."
more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26466-2004Nov4.html
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
