The rumbles of Attorney General John Ashcroft's resignation have been coming for some time, but the departure of Commerce Secretary Don Evans was a surprise. While there has been speculation about changes in nearly every Administration office, from vice president to Secretary of State, I hadn't noticed a reason given for Evans to leave. As late as this afternoon, news reports said,

Commerce Secretary Don Evans, a close friend of Bush, has also been tipped as a possible heir [to Treasury Secretary John Snow] but he could also stay in his current job, replace Card as chief of staff or go back home to Texas.

In any case, let the guessing begin as to whom President Bush will proffer as his next AG. Ashcroft was a long-time politician and favorite among the religious-conservative wing of the GOP, appointed to Justice in the wake of a disappointed 2000 bid for the Senate. Having been successful across the country this year, the Republicans have no disappointed Senate incumbents, and only one gubernatorial incumbent who won't return (New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson, defeated by Democrat John Lynch).