A Steadfast Force in Dislodging Money From Politics

"It's wishful thinking on somebody's part. Either that or they want to embarrass me by saying that, see, she's just a lobbyist," Nazareth said. "It's nice of these people to think of finding jobs for me. But I do not anticipate now or any time in the future being a lobbyist. It's not of interest to me."

Nazareth's SEC term quietly expired in June, and sources close to her have said she hopes to leave by year's end. In the interview, Nazareth was cagey about her plans, saying only that no formal announcement has been made.

SIFMA, on the other hand, has an opening. In quick succession this year, the newly formed trade group announced the departure of its co-chief executives. "They need some help; they do," Nazareth said.

To be fair, SIFMA's top executive is more than a lobbyist. He or she runs the most important organization representing the world's largest financial services firms. Then again, a lot of what SIFMA does is lobby, and that clearly is not what Nazareth intends to do.

"People are so certain about this. It's just remarkable to me," she said. "But I can assure you that I have made no plans to do any of these things being discussed, particularly not to leave the commission to lobby for the industry. It is not my desire to be a lobbyist."

Former commerce secretary Donald L. Evans, on the other hand, has been fronting for the industry since 2005 as chief executive of the Financial Services Forum, a high-powered group that represents 20 Wall Street chief executives. But Evans's tenure is coming to an end -- and that's no rumor.

Evans, who is a close friend of President Bush and is leading the effort to select the site for the president's library, earlier this year told the forum's chairman, Charles Prince of Citigroup, that he planned to leave the forum at some point to devote more time to his family and business interests in Texas.

Evans has agreed to become the non-executive chairman of TXU, the big Dallas-based utility, which is the target of a proposed private-equity buyout. If that deal goes through (the target date is November), Evans's departure from the forum would come sooner rather than later, say people familiar with his thinking.

Hire of the Week

Ralph G. Neas has stepped down from the presidency of People for the American Way, but he's taken another job: president emeritus. Neas, 61, who has headed the liberal lobby group for eight years, will continue to raise money, give policy advice and help find his successor. Nick Ucci, the chief operating officer, will oversee day-to-day management during the search.

A longtime anti-Bush fixture in judicial nomination fights -- and also a leader in the now-successful effort to oust Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales-- Neas said he is eager for a new professional challenge, perhaps in health care or global warming.

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