Would President Bush name Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman as his next nominee for the Secretary of Homeland Security? Increasing pressure from Republican leaders may make it possible despite Bush's reputation for keeping only those who agree with his personal opinions as his closest advisors. Bush's first choice for the post, Bernard Kerik, withdrew his name over the weekend after it was revealed that he had hired an illegal immigrant as a nanny and did not pay taxes to the government on her behalf. The revelation caused embarassment to the Administration as it searches for someone to replace Tom Ridge.

Lieberman is one of the author's of the Homeland Security bill and is one of the few key Democrats that have supported the president on the war in Iraq. However, he was also Al Gore's running mate in the disputed 2000 elections in which the Supreme Court had to make a decision that put Mr. Bush in office.

Picking Lieberman would give Bush a nominee that would garner easy confirmation from the Senate and give him a source of sorely needed support from Democrats. The president pledged to be more bi-partisan and nominating Lieberman would be a strong way to show he is making an effort to reach out to Democrats. Lieberman is also highly qualified and has a very strong moral reputation.

'Senator Lieberman, if he's interested, would be a terrific pick,' said Lindsey Graham, (Rrepublican-South Carolina) a member of the Senate's armed services committee.


Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine also supported a possible Lieberman nomination on ABC's 'This Week' yesterday. She described Lieberman as 'the author of the legislation creating the department and I think he could bring the strong leadership the department needs.'

President Bush has said he wants a new nominee in place before Christmas.