New man starts with prayer

AUSTIN - Day One as America's President-elect, and George W. Bush chose to play it cool. He did not rush to Washington to oversee his own transition team.

Instead, with a boyish grin and his right hand firmly in the grasp of his wife, Laura, he went to church. "The Governor decided that he wants to start this on a message of prayer and healing," said his communications director, Karen Hughes.

Meanwhile, aides said Bush intends naming all the members of his future cabinet, as well as his inner circle of White House advisers, before Christmas.

It is no secret that retired General Colin Powell will serve as United States Secretary of State. The Bush camp, anxious to quell worries about its candidate's inexperience in world affairs, long ago circulated the news that he was ready for that job.

The key position of National Security Advisor has reportedly been promised to Condoleezza Rice, who was Bush's tutor on international policy through the election campaign. The job of White House Chief of Staff has been earmarked for aide Andy Card.

It is thought probable that Commerce Secretary will go to campaign chairman Don Evans.

Candidates for Secretary of the Treasury include Walter Shipley, the former chairman of the Chase Manhattan bank, and Donald Marron, the chairman of the PaineWebber group. An intriguing rumour has Bush inviting the current Treasury Secretary, Lawrence Summers, to stay on in his post.

- HERALD CORRESPONDENT

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