2008 Woodie Awards
New faces for Bush cabinet in second term
Tyler Zimmer
Assistant Issues Editor
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Powell's resignation has been long expected, especially in the wake of the case for war in Iraq he made to the UN, despite having serious misgivings, based on what is now considered largely discredited and suspect intelligence. Powell has often been characterized as a voice of reason and moderation among a hawkish group of leaders. Largely considered a man of integrity, respected both abroad and at home, Powell officially sent his letter of resignation to Bush on Nov. 12.
Bush has already nominated National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice as Powell's successor. Rice's current post will likely be filled by her deputy, Stephen Hadley. Some fear that while Rice is knowledgeable and qualified for the job, the voice of dissent that Powell brought to the table will be lost entirely.
Attorney General John Ashcroft, a controversial figure since he was first selected for the job in 2000, often criticized for violating innumerable civil liberties in the wake of 9/11, announced his resignation to President Bush on Nov. 2. Sources indicated that Ashcroft never achieved a close relationship with President Bush, and that he wore out his welcome with several officials in the administration. Bush named Texas confidant Alberto Gonzales as his successor shortly after Ashcroft's resignation was made public.
Controversy and criticism are nothing new to Bush's choice for replacement, as Gonzales is known for the infamous memo defending the torture of prisoners in Iraq, claiming that "Geneva Conventions are obsolete" and a series of suspect arrests and detentions at Guantanamo.
While many civil rights activists applauded the departure of Ashcroft, they are far from elated by his successor.
Other Cabinet members who have already announced their resignation include Commerce Secretary Don Evans, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and Education Secretary Rod Paige.
Veneman will be replaced by Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns. Monday, Nov. 29, President Bush nominated Cuban-born Carlos Guiterrez, the President and CEO of the Kellogg company to fill the role Commerce Secretary vacated by Donald Evans.
Rod Paige, a key supporter of Bush's No Child Left Behind Act and fellow Texan, has had some turbulent moments during his tenure, most notably calling the National Education Association a "terrorist organization" due to his evaluation of their support for NCLB. Paige's successor is Domestic Policy Advisor Margaret Spellings, whom President Bush has worked with in the past.
After being the first to occupy the newly created post, Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge has resigned. He will be replaced by Former New York Police Department Commissioner Bernard Kerik.
Although a substantial number of political analysts predicted that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld would not serve a second term, it appears as though he will indeed stick around for at least another two years to continue "restructuring the U.S. military." Rumsfeld has drawn criticism from both the right and the left for his planning and handling of the Iraq war.
Most recently, Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services has resigned. He is likely to be replaced by Matt McClellan, the Medicare Chief and brother of current White House spokesperson Scott McClellan.
Energy Secretary and former one-term Republican Senator Spencer Abraham is also among those expected to resign. Among possible successors for the post are Tom Kuhn, President of Edison Electric Institute Trade Group, and Deputy Energy Secretary Kyle McSlarrow.
Despite claims that Treasury Secretary John Snow would be departing before serving a second term, sources now say he will stay on for at least several months to continue pushing the administration's economic agenda, particularly policies such as permanent tax cuts. Snow was instrumental in pushing through Bush's large tax cuts during his first term.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellik is expected to resign soon. However, there doesn't appear to be any frontrunner for the position.
Some sources say it is possible that the current Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade Grant Aldonas could be a successor.