Slow Appointments

W.S. JOURNAL's Al Hunt: "Once again, [Pres. Clinton] seems to be torn. He seems to be indecisive. He seems to be worrying about placating, pleasing, satisfying every possible constituency. ... And I think that's far more worrisome than the fact that he doesn't happen to have appointments in place right now" ("Equal Time," CNBC, 12/2).

NPR's Liasson, on Clinton wanting GOPers in the Cabinet: "He got himself into a little bit of a pickle because he announced in advance he wanted a Republican before he found one who'd be willing to serve" (12/2).

Clinton "wanted an appointment process that avoided the pitfalls of four years ago when critics said too much emphasis was laced on diversity and not enough on substance. But it's been a month since the election, and the president, seeking a team that can help build his legacy, has been slow to make decisions" (Frisby, W.S. JOURNAL, 12/3).

Clinton made a brief Oval Office appearance 12/2 and said he had done some work on his Cabinet search over the holiday weekend, but fighting a hoarse voice said, "I simply couldn't make phone calls." More and more aides are saying the lengthy process is "not a laughing matter; they had expected the new staff to take shape sooner" (Fournier, AP/PHILA. INQUIRER, 12/3).

WH aides "cautioned" not to expect an announcement" on top Cabinet posts "today, or possible even this week." Clinton is "apparently agonizing over his choices -- in a way reminiscent of his approach in making other high-level appointments during the first term" (Harris, W. POST, 12/3).

CNN's Blitzer: "White House officials say the president has asked his outgoing and incoming Chiefs of Staff, Leon Panetta and Erskine Bowles, to come up with some fresh names for other Cabinet and senior White House positions. They promised there will be surprises" (12/2).

WOMEN: Clinton "faces a choice" as he returns to the business of staffing his second admin.: He will either "make history" by appointing a woman to one of the top spots on the nat'l security team, or "risk sorely disappointing many of the very voters who provided his margin of victory in last month's election."

Clinton's "ambivalence" about putting women in top slots is "playing itself out in the drama" over whether UN Amb. Madeleine Albright will be the next Sec/State. Other than Albright, the woman "cited most frequently" for a Cabinet post is Deputy AG Jamie Gorelick who is "being considered" for CIA (Harris, W. POST, 12/3).

CBS' Plante, on diversity in the Cabinet: "This time there's a perception that Mr. Clinton is just a lot more comfortable in a room full of white guys" ("This Morning," 12/3)