Bush staff starts on diverse note

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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DECEMBER 18, 2000

With a month left before he officially takes office, President-elect George W. Bush has begun naming the members of his new administration.

Although his initial choices come as no surprise, they garner notice not only for their resumes but for their diversity. In one fell swoop, Bush can count two African-Americans, two women, and one Hispanic as his top advisers.

Often said to be the first African-American man who could become President, retired General Colin Powell was named Secretary of State by Bush on Saturday. Like outgoing Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary, Powell is the first African-American to hold the position.

Powell rose to popularity during the 1991 Persian Gulf War as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Bush's father's administration. Although the war was successful in boosting public confidence in the military, the United States failed to eject Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein from power, an issue Powell immediately addressed on Saturday.

He promised that the Middle East will be "a major priority," saying he would confront Hussein if necessary. He also said he favors tighter sanctions on Iraq.

Closer to home, Bush on Sunday named Condoleezza Rice his national security adviser. A political science professor at Stanford University and former provost there, the 46-year-old African-American woman was also a member of the elder Bush's administration.

Powell and Rice are expected to be seen as role models for the African-American community, a duty Powell has already heartily accepted. But while leaders like NAACP head Kwesi Mfume have welcomed Powell's selection, Bush and his party face a tough battle in seeking African-American support.

When Bush addressed the NAACP during the campaign, he was greeted with boos. Vice President Al Gore's appearance, on the other hand, was a jubilant celebration.

Bush also has to live up to election day and its aftermath. African-American voters rejected Bush 9 to 1. Jesse Jackson and other leaders plan to protest voter disenfranchisement in Washington, DC, on inaugural day in January.

Still, Powell and Rice often challenge their party's views. During the Republican National Convention, Powell called on his party to reach out to minorities.

Rice has also criticized the GOP for its record with African-Americans. But she has equally strong words for the Democratic party. During her convention speech, she said her father became a Republican because the Democrats turned him down based on his race.

Rounding out Rice's selection, Bush on Sunday named Alberto R. Gonzales, a Texas Supreme Court judge as White House counsel and Karen P. Hughes, his campaign spokesperson, as counselor to the President.

The office seen as most important to Indian Country, Secretary of Interior, is still up in the air. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo) has been mentioned and would add to the diversity of the new Bush staff.

But removing the only Native American from the Senate might be hard for the Bush camp to justify politically. At the same time, the choice of the defeated Slade Gorton (R-Wash), another name mentioned, could be seen as divisive.

Bush plans on meeting with more potential administration members this week.