In Grist's speculation on the next EPA head, Chairman of the CEQ Jim Connaughton's name is mentioned. I think Connaughton would make a great head of EPA, but I have my doubts that the Administration will pick him. I think Bush is happy to have Connaughton where he has him, bringing the top conservative thinking on environmental issues into the Administration's policy advocacy. Having Connaughton free to speak on various issues and to help formulate the policies may be an asset that the Administration doesn't wish to lose to the bureaucratic nightmare that is the EPA.

The two dozen staff members of CEQ are a lot easier to manage and more flexible in switching policy direction than the thousands of bureaucrats housed by the EPA. That is why I look for Bush to appoint another bureaucratic manager like he did with Leavitt and Whitman. This reasoning is also why I have suggested Marc Racicot might get the job. But I won't be complaining if Grist is right and I am wrong.

Meanwhile, members of the New Jersey delegation are calling for Bush to appoint an environmental advocate to head the EPA. Environmental advocate is pretty ambiguous language that will allow them to criticize whoever is appointed.