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| | Hutchinson on short list to replace Ridge
Wednesday, Dec 1, 2004 By Alison Vekshin Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON -- Arkansan Asa Hutchinson's name was floated Tuesday as a possible successor to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, who resigned after two years on the job. Hutchinson, the No. 3 leader at the Department of Homeland Security, declined to talk specifically about Ridge's job. He said he was interested in continuing to serve in the Bush administration. "I would hope that the president would believe that I've done a good enough job to justify opportunities in a second term," said Hutchinson, who is undersecretary for border and transportation security. Hutchinson said in a phone interview White House officials have not approached him about becoming homeland security secretary. "This announcement just came today," Hutchinson said. "Those decisions will be made by the president at a given time." A former U.S. House member from Fort Smith and former head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Hutchinson is charged with overseeing more than 110,000 of the department's 180,000 employees. Agencies under his wing seek to protect the nation's borders, ports, terminals, waterways, territorial waters and transportation systems from terrorism. Hutchinson said he was at a "decision point" in his life. "Whether it's continuing in a second administration or whether there are opportunities for elective office down the road or opportunities in the private sector, those are all opportunities that should be considered," Hutchinson said. Ridge, the seventh Cabinet secretary to resign since President Bush's re-election, said he would remain on the job until Feb. 1, 2005, or until a successor is confirmed. Hutchinson belongs on a short list of contenders to succeed Ridge, said Frank Cilluffo, director of the Homeland Security Policy Institute at George Washington University. Hutchinson's legal, congressional and national security background could suit him for the job, Cilluffo said. Among other possible contenders, Cilluffo named Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Mike Leavitt, White House Homeland Security Advisor Fran Townsend, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joe Hagin and Republican Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Jay Barth, associate political science professor at Hendrix College in Conway, said Bush could decide to name a high-profile figure to the homeland security post, such as former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. "The president may try to make a high-profile apppointment which will send a signal to the public about the continued importance of this duty," Barth said. Hutchinson's name also has been raised as a possible candidate for Arkansas governor in 2006 along with Republican Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller, Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, and Attorney General Mike Beebe, a Democrat. If Hutchinson is not nominated to replace Ridge, "that elevates the possibility that he would run for governor in Arkansas," Barth said. -- 30 -- |
