[Major Matt Mason]

I have a better question- why do we need to add more bureaucracy, when some high level official in the Pentagon, Justice Dept. or FBI could just as easily handle it? I loved W's speech last night, but this was the one aspect that din't thrill me.

[Glock 21]

Yea and he voted to ban those scary semi autos and hi cap mags and to tax and register long guns in Pa./sure he's just the man for the job,NOT!

[Lanman]

You may want to ask the kool-aid drinkers on this thread.

BUSH APPOINTS PRO-ABORTION CATHOLIC TO HEAD HOME SECURITY

[Vigilanteman]

Just a simplistic thought.

1. Rudy, Pataki are needed worse in New York.
   
2. Ridge has military experience, not FBI experience like the Oklahoma governor.
   
3. This is closer to a military than an FBI operation.
   
4. There is just a remote possibility that GWB and his advisors know what they're doing.

[Plutarch]

Bush selected Gov. Ridge in general because he is qualified, but in particular because he is keen to appeal to the voters of Pennsylvania, whose Electoral Votes he covets in 2004.

This position will groom Ridge to be V.P. candidate in 2004 to replace Dick "Bad Ticker" Cheney.

As a former Governor with National Security executive experience, Gov. Ridge will be supremely qualified for V.P.

At some point on Election Night, probably after Gore was projected the winner, Bush regreted selecting Cheney over Ridge. PA's electoral votes would have come in quite handy that night.

[genxer]

It had been long rumored here in Texas that 43 wanted Tom Ridge as Veep. They were great friends as when both were govenors. Loyality is very important to Bush, we've seen it over and over here in Texas.

Anyway as the rumor goes, 41 picked Chaney because of his foreign policy experience. It made sense.

Although this is pure speculation on my part, but I think that in effect Bush got himself a secondary Veep. He, Ridge and Ashcroft will work the homefront and the Chaney/Powell team will run the overseas war. Its a basic management strategy and Bush is the consumate businessman, amoung other things. Although I have to add if Powell doesn't get in step with the rest of the administration...well I'll leave that to you guys.

What it comes down to is this Bush wanted Ridge on his team, Bush got Ridge on his team.