Republican May Get Key Post

Guessing games about the new Cabinet are in full flow in Washington as the President settles down to plan his second term.

Christopher, who oversaw the Clinton teams first transition four years ago, met the President earlier this week to discuss both the forthcoming transition and his own future. The secretary of state is said to be unlikely to stay for the next four years. Also on the way out are White House chief of staff Leon Panetta, who will head back to California and may run for governor, and senior advisor George Stephanopoulos. Clinton confidante Erskine Bowkes is on the top of the list to replace Panetta.

 

Energy secretary Hazel OLeary is under fire for her controversial travels abroad. So is transportation secretary Frederico Pena, who flip-flopped embarrassingly on the Valujet aircrash.

Their exit could leave Clinton searching for women and minorities to fill Cabinet slots.

Commerce secretary Mickey Kantor was reportedly keen to move to her position.

Over at defence, William Perry is reported to be disinclined to stay on. Perry could be replaced by present CIA chief John Deutch, leaving the top intelligence job open.

Meanwhile, Labour Secretary Robert Reich, a Rhodes scholar and long-time Clinton friend will probably make his own decision on whether to stay.