A source close to Bush reports that the president-elect has a high level of confidence in Racicot, a former Army prosecutor.
Americans became familiar with the plain-talking and unflappable governor when he became Bush's chief spokesman during the 36 days of the recount process.
Previous to the recount, Racicot had been among Bush's closest friends and political supporters and was with Bush on the day he announced his candidacy for the presidency.
Racicot's appointment to a Bush Cabinet will come as welcome news to conservatives, who view Racicot as a solid Reaganite.
Bush is said to be anxious to fill out many top positions, and sources in and around the Bush transition team are floating a variety of names to evaluate public reaction.
Gen. Colin Powell as secretary of state was the first announced appointment because he is known to have a high approval rating among both Democrats and Republicans, which will help Bush to bring unity. Powell brings a high level of credibility and trust to the administration in the eyes of the public.
Bush made an effort to show his desire to appoint Democrats to his Cabinet by meeting with Sen. John Breaux, D-La.
But Breaux made it clear that he does not wish to leave his Senate post to become secretary of energy. Breaux took advantage of the meeting to lobby for legislative concerns, according to Bush sources.
Other Democrats under consideration for appointment as secretary of energy are former Sen. Bennett Johnston of Louisiana and Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles.
Tom Warne, executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation, told the Utah media that he received a call from Bush and was asked if he would consider appointment at secretary of transportation.
Warne said he would. A Bush official confirmed that Warne is high on the list.
There is already talk of possible Supreme Court appointments. Bush is said to have penciled Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch as top man on the list when a vacancy occurs.
Hatch is considered an easy confirmation in the Senate, and is expected to maintain a conservative foundation in the court.
The deal has been in the works from the very beginning of the campaign, and will result in the appointment of Republican Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt as Hatch’s replacement in the Senate.
"Nothing’s cut in stone, but it’s clear that certain people are high on the list," said the source within the Bush organization.
Look for Andy Card to be named White House chief of staff. He served as deputy chief of staff in the first Bush administration.
Karen Hughes and Josh Bolten are on the list for the deputy chief of staff job. Either could also be named as a presidential counselor.
Don Evans is a Texas oil executive, highly trusted by Bush. Many expect him to be named secretary of commerce. He was the Bush campaign chairman and a top fund-raiser.
Evans will work to get Bush to rescind the numerous Clinton executive orders that locked up oil and minerals by creating national monuments.
Possible secretary of agriculture include Susan Combs, current Texas agriculture commissioner, Rep. Charles Stenholm, D–Texas, and California agriculture director Ann Veneman.
Republican Sen. John Ashcroft of Missouri is also high on the list for attorney general, according to a Bush source.
Another possible Democrat appointment is Sandy Kress, former Dallas Democratic Party chairman. He has been an education adviser to the Bush campaign and may become secretary of education.
Aides in the office of Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson and New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman confirm that Bush has spoken with both, but there is no word on whether either current governor will accept an appointment.
Other names to watch for are former Sen. Sam Nunn, D–Ga., Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, Lawrence Lindsey, Condoleezza Rice, Karl Rove, Ari Fleischer, Joe Allbaugh, and former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats.
Also Bush is planning on appointing Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Armitage to top defense or foreign policy posts.
"We're going to move as rapidly as we can," said Vice President-elect Dick Cheney to reporters on Thursday.
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