Andrew Card. 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. Card told the press that when Bush called him, he said, “I’ve got a big job for you.”
Condoleezza Rice. The foreign policy adviser, former provost of Stanford, seems destined to be named national security adviser. She’d be the first woman and the first African-American ever to hold that post.
Gen. Colin Powell. All signs point to the former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff becoming 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.
Sen. John B. Breaux. The Louisiana Democrat, whose ideology falls right down the middle, has been mentioned as a contender for Bush’s cabinet. If he doesn’t win such a post, he will play the role of moderator between the right and the left in Congress.
John Keating. The Oklahoma governor, a former FBI agent and lawyer, will likely fill the role of 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. He’s also Andrew Card’s best friend.
Karen Hughes. One of the most visible faces of the election mess, Hughes–a former television reporter–has served as Bush’s loyal communciations director and chief spokesperson. It’s likely she’ll serve as his press secretary should he win.
Karl Rove. Bush’s chief campaign strategist has been working on transition matters with Dick Cheney. He’s likely to have a role in the administration, though it’s uncertain at this time which job he’d take.
Joe Allbaugh. Like Rove, there’s no particular job for Bush’s campaign manager. 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. Though the Montana governor has been mentioned as a possible attorney general, he’s 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 variously as the head of the departments of transportation, education, and health and human services.
Wildcards
Bush is said to have few personal ties to the financial industry, and will likely pick a Wall Street heavyweight to head up the department of treasury. 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.
If Bush becomes president, he’ll very likely have to reach out to conservative Democrats to get his programs through the highly divided Congress. Names of a few Democrats have been bandied about. Rep. Ralph M. Hall, a Democrat from Bush’s home state of Texas, has been mentioned as a possible secretary of energy. Both Alabama Rep. Robert E. “Bud” Cramer Jr. and Texas Rep. Charles W. Stenholm have been discussed for the position of agriculture secretary. And former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn has been mentioned as defense secretary–though he’s already said he’s not interested. But of course, if we’ve learned one thing about politics over the last month, nothing’s ever certain.
