Appointments Watch: Ashcroft to Justice

Justice

President-elect Bush announced he would nominate former Sen. John Ashcroft, R-Mo., to be attorney general Thursday. Ashcroft, 58, was a two-term governor of Missouri before he went to the Senate in 1994. Ashcroft was defeated this fall by Missouri Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan, whose name remained on the ballot after he was killed in an airplane crash in October. Carnahan's widow, Jean, was appointed to the Senate seat.

Montana GOP Gov. Marc Racicot had been considered a leading candidate for the post. But Racicot, "citing a desire to turn his attention from politics to family," told Bush Wednesday he did not want to be named, the Associated Press reported. Racicot, on the conversation he had with Bush: "He said, 'Do you want to be considered or do you not?' ... I said, 'After thinking about it, I think I should withdraw my name from consideration.'" Racicot "declined to be specific," but did maintain that family concerns prompted the decision.

According to The Washington Times, until the announcement about Racicot Wednesday, conservatives "sought to derail what they had been led to believe" would be Racicot's nomination, over their choice of Oklahoma GOP Gov. Frank Keating or Ashcroft. Until Racicot withdrew, "momentum was building for conservatives to openly break with Bush."

Defense

The Associated Press reported "uncertainty also crept into" Bush's search for a DoD Secretary. Advisers to Bush "said the President-elect has not settled on a Pentagon chief, rolling back from their earlier assessments" about former Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind.

Aides "suggested that Coats is still a top candidate, but cautioned against assuming he would get the job." Ex-DoD official Paul Wolfowitz "is under consideration."

Health and Human Services

Wisconsin GOP Gov. Tommy Thompson, "widely viewed as the top candidate" for the HHS slot, said Wednesday "that he remains under consideration for more than one Cabinet post" in the Bush administration, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Thompson: "I can tell you this much, that there is more than one in play."

Thompson has also been mentioned for Transportation Secretary, but "senior Republicans said that was doubtful," the Associated Press reported.

Energy

The Las Vegas Sun reported that the "author of the so-called 'Screw Nevada' bill" withdrew his name from consideration for Energy Secretary. The decision of former Sen. Bennett Johnston, D-La., "followed a behind-the-scenes effort by Nevada officials." Johnston reportedly "came close to accepting the appointment." Johnston: "I would say it was a job offer, subject to all the vetting."

Johnston's decision followed a "frenzied effort" to prevent his nomination by the Nevada congressional delegation, including Democratic Sen. Harry Reid and GOP Sen.-elect John Ensign.

Education

Arizona School Superintendant Lisa Graham Keegan "is emerging as a leading contender" for the Education post, according to the Associated Press. Keegan is reportedly "one of the last three candidates still under consideration."

Florida Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan, who has been "touted" by Florida GOP Gov. Jeb Bush for the Education spot, said yesterday that he has not talked to the Bush team about a possible Cabinet post, the AP reported.

Veterans Affairs

USA Today lists ex-deputy VA Secretary Anthony Principi, Florida Veterans Affairs director Robin Higgins, Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., and Rep. Norman Sisisky, D-Va., as the top prospects for the Veterans Affairs post. Higgins interviewed with the Bush-Cheney transition tean on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.