Expansionary Institute

Michael Zey
futurist3000@aol.com

By TOM RAUM
.c The Associated Press

 
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - George W. Bush is ready to name a White House staff but is holding off until a decisive go-ahead signal from the courts on the Florida presidential election.

Bush supporters were ready to stage a quick victory rally should the Texas governor get the nod.

Otherwise, Bush was staying out of sight on Friday, planning to remain in the governor's mansion and host an evening party for his Secret Service detail and his personal staff.

``We'll see what happens,'' was all that the Republican governor would say about a ruling from the Florida Supreme Court that could be decisive.

Bush has settled on some key White House appointments, said senior advisers who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

These include Josh Bolton, top policy aide in the campaign, who will take a similar role at the White House.

Bush previously had decided to name:

Karen Hughes as a senior White House counselor. She was communications director and top spokeswoman for the campaign, but will have less to do with the press corps at the White House.

Ari Fleischer as his spokesman in charge of daily briefings. Fleischer works for Hughes now.

Larry Lindsey, a Federal Reserve member during Bush's father's administration, as Bush's top economic adviser at the White House.

Stanford University administrator Condoleezza Rice as national security adviser.

Bush already has designated Andrew Card as his prospective White House chief of staff.

Still unresolved, said Bush campaign officials, was a position for Karl Rove, Bush's chief campaign strategist. Colleagues expected him to end up with a top policy position at the White House.

Bush aides expect that, should the courts rule in his favor and rival Al Gore concede, he first would speak to supporters at a victory rally, then announce some top appointments at a news conference here the following day.

Then, Bush likely would fly to Washington to announce some Cabinet posts and pay a courtesy call on outgoing President Clinton, aides said.

AP Political Writer Ron Fournier contributed to this report from Washington.

AP-NY-12-08-00 0434EST

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.