The Cabinet
The make-up of the back office of the White House is an important part of what will happen over the next four years. Colin Powell looks to be on his way out, but so do John Ashcroft and Donald Rumsfeld. The next Secretary of State: possibly that death’s head Condoleeza Rice, although John Danforth, the present UN Ambassador is tipped for the position. Rice, however, is looking good for Defense, and why not? It’s as much her fault we’re in Iraq as anyone else’s. A vacant National Security Advisor’s slot puts Wolfowitz forward as a replacement, and again, why not? He has had as much to do with Bush’s actions on this front as Rice did, and Bush clearly likes his thinking.

If Ashcroft goes, Tom Ridge is on tap for Justice, which at least means he can give the terror alerts, even if Rudy Giuliani, touted as his potential successor at Homeland Security, would then be the one to correct the color chart.

Most important of all (yes, sarcasm) is the possible departure of Norman Mineta from Transportation, because we might not have to take off our shoes at the airport anymore. Giving this spot to the present Energy Secretary, Spencer Abraham, could keep airline fuel surcharges from getting out of hand.

No word on who’d replace Elaine Chao at Labor if she gets a new job, but since there aren’t any jobs anyway, and no more overtime, maybe we can just dispense with this Cabinet post.

Next: Death Watch of the Supremes.