Dec. 12, 2004

Need Scorecard to Identify Bush’s New All-Stars

President Bush said immediately after his reelection that he “had earned a lot of political capital and was going to spend it!”

Again, he said what he meant, and meant what he said. The pace of exercising his mandate makes critics woozy.

He urged Congress to implement the 9/11 Commission plan merging 15 intelligence departments into a mammoth cabinet-level bureaucracy.

Republicans – born and bred to distrust government bureaucracy – were aghast.

Some steadfast House members jumped traces. Bush cashed in some capital last week to get them back in line.

The plan lumps the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Defense Intelligence Department under one director and budget.

None of the three are happy—which may be a good sign.

Now the chattering class is divining the candidate for the DNI post – and the pecking order for newly appointed CIA Director Porter Goss.

The DNI (note new acronym) will oversee all intelligence departments under one budget. Government operates strictly by the Golden Rule. He who has the gold, rules.

Important intelligence – foreign and domestic – will be funneled to the president. Odds are short on the secretary’s tenure, Al Quida’s cooperation being notably unreliable.

The bill also writes into law the National Counter-terrorism Center that Bush created by executive order in August. Its director – reporting to the president -- will be appointed by him and confirmed by the senate. Katy bar the door.

Bush is creating a new team to enact overdue domestic reforms.

Lame duckism sets in fast for second-term presidents – certainly after mid-term elections.

Before then, Bush has to wrap up the war, invigorate the economy, boost energy and reform Social Security –- while saving his tax cuts.

Presidents usually do their reforming in their first term, and then spend a second term protecting their legacy. Historically, presidents replace half their cabinets in a second term. Bush wants/needs a new, first team instanter.

Several of his starters indicated they would endure front-line the pressures only for one term. Secretary of State Colin Powel for example.

A president having to play catch up cannot afford self-proclaimed one-legged ducks. Hence, Bush sent out word: “If you plan to retire before the last day of my second term, do it now.”

One needs a scorecard to keep track on who is in and who is out.

Leading the exodus is Secretary of State Powell. He will be replaced by Dr. Condolezza Rice, Bush’s black National Security Adviser.

Attorney-general John Ashcroft, of Patriot Act fame, is replaced by Alberto Gonzales. He is a son of Mexican immigrants, former Texas Supreme Court justice and White House counsel.

Secretary of Commerce Don Evans is replaced by Carter Gutierrez. He is a Cuban immigrant who worked his way from curbside salesman to chief executive of the Kellogg Company.

Education Secretary Rod Paige is replaced by Margaret Spellings, White House adviser for domestic policy.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman is replaced by Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns.

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham yields to Samuel Bodman, formerly Deputy Treasury secretary.

Veterans’ Affairs Director Anthony Principi is succeeded by Jim Nicholson, U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.

Three other cabinet-level officers have resigned. All cited a desire to spend more time with their families. Successors have not yet been named. They are:

Health and Human Services – Tommy Thompson.
Homeland Seculrity director – Tom Ridge.
Ambassador to the United Nations – John Danforth, after just six months. He formerly was a long-time senator for Missouri.
Six other cabinet-level officers have consented to continue serving “at the pleasure of the president.”
Defense, Donald Rumsfeld.
Treasury, John Snow.
Interior, Gale Norton.
Labor, Elaine Chao.
Transportation, Norman Mineta.
Housing and Urban Development, Alphonso Jackson.

All in all, President Bush has re-assembled a new, competent White House team.

Powell and Danforth – considered “moderates” by the liberal media – are bemoaned by same. Powell is soldiering on until Rice is approved by the Senate. He would dearly love to open the door to Israel- Palestine peace talks as his legacy.

Danforth’s sudden resignation is a surprise. Did he perceive the U.N. to be a basket case? One can be sure the appointment of his successor will be scrutinized sharply by Senate Democrats.

Fasten your seat belts. The road ahead may be bumpy.

Lindsey Williams is a Sun columnist who can be contacted at linwms@lindseywilliams.org