Albright May Be Front-Runner Aides Say Clinton Undecided On Next Secretary Of State
With President Clinton nearing a final decision, U.N. Ambassador Madeleine Albright emerged Wednesday as the focus of attention in the search for a new secretary of state.
Though several administration officials termed her a front-runner, two senior White House aides involved in the decision-making process said Clinton would not characterize her status that way.
One of the aides said that while most signs were pointing to Albright, Clinton’s thinking has not fully crystallized - and he could still settle on another candidate. Complicating the guessing game: The names of three finalists have not been made public.
The official made the assessment after a late-evening meeting between Clinton and his inner circle: Vice President Al Gore, chief of staff Leon Panetta and incoming chief of staff Erskine Bowles.
Albright, a hawk on Bosnia intervention and NATO expansion, is a loyal Clinton aide who appeals to his sense of history: She would be the first female secretary of state and would bring an inspirational biography to the job.
Albright, 59, is a naturalized American citizen, the daughter of a Czech diplomat, whose family moved from Czechoslovakia to the United States when she was 11. Clinton is drawn to candidates with rich personal histories, such as Polish-born Gen. John Shalikashvili, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who is a grandson of a czarist general and son of a Georgian army officer.
The other known candidates include: retiring Democratic Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia; former Senate Democratic leader George Mitchell; Richard Holbrooke, who helped negotiate the Bosnia settlement; and Thomas Pickering, former ambassador to Russia.
Aides expected Clinton’s decision this week, but did not rule out a longer wait.
Candidates to replace Defense Secretary William Perry include retiring Republican Sen. William Cohen of Maine, Nunn, CIA Director John Deutch, Deputy Defense Secretary John White and Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick. Clinton also is said to be considering candidates from the defense industry, such as Loral Corp. chairman and Democratic donor Bernard Schwartz and Lockheed Martin Corp. head Norman Augustine.
Cohen has been considered the front-runner, but senior aides say White and Nunn are getting increasing attention. Officials also said Clinton could even delay his choice into the second term, taking advantage of Perry’s offer to stay aboard until a successor is named.
Aides closest to the president caution that Clinton is still open-minded about all Cabinet posts.
The situation is a bit more settled elsewhere in the foreign policy apparatus. Aides have said for days that National Security Adviser Anthony Lake is Clinton’s tentative choice for CIA director, with the president waiting to see how Lake fits with the rest of his choices. Lake’s deputy, Sandy Berger, is expected to succeed him, though State Department official Strobe Talbott is still mentioned.
If Albright gets promoted, Rep. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., is considered the most likely replacement at the United Nations. Holbrooke also could get the U.N. post.