Top prospects to fill the Homeland Security post now that Kerik has withdrawn include current Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson, Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and White House Homeland Security Adviser Frances Townsend.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (D.-Conn.), a frequent Bush critic, has also been mentioned as a possibility. Senators Susan Collins (R.-Me.) and John McCain (R.-Ariz.) are reportedly urging his nomination. Lieberman himself has been coy, according to the Associated Press, saying no job offer has been made and none is expected-adding that if President Bush phoned him he would ??¢â???¬?????take the call.??¢â???¬ Lieberman??¢â???¬â???¢s most recent triumph was to prevent the intelligence bill from including language that would stop states from giving driver??¢â???¬â???¢s licenses to illegal aliens.
