If Clinton's the Pick, Where Does That Leave Richardson?

Of the illegal hirings, he said: "It's no big deal. No one is above the law, but people make honest mistakes, and that should not deprive her from serving her country. She is a very fine person who has the qualifications to be attorney general." Hatch also said he was "so sick of the partisan politics. I don't want her smeared. I don't believe in that. If by saying this it clears the way for her, that's fine."

Another committee Republican, then-Sen. Alan Simpson (Wyo.), was equally expansive, telling us at the time, "She feels contrition but this is not something sinister." He said he would support her confirmation.

A week later, as the controversy grew, Clinton was forced to withdraw Baird's nomination.

A Jackie in the First Lady's Office

Word is that incoming first lady Michelle Obama has tapped Jackie Norris, Iowa director for her husband's campaign, to be her chief of staff. Norris, a high school government and history teacher and longtime Iowa Democrat, was Al Gore's Iowa political director in the 2000 presidential campaign and served as finance director for Tom Vilsack's successful campaign for governor in 1998.

Norris is half of one of Iowa's premier political couples. Her husband is Iowa political honcho John Norris, who was state director for Sen. John F. Kerry's 2004 presidential run and had been Vilsack's chief of staff.

Adopt an Elephant

Sure, the GOP got an electoral pasting a couple weeks ago. But the Republican National Committee is wasting no time moping or thinking -- well, maybe a little -- about the past. No, now, just in time for Christmas, it's come up with some fine ways to replenish its depleted coffers for the battles ahead.

To that end, we're told in an e-mail from Sue Gazdo, the RNC membership director, "Meet Nick, the newest member of the Republican National Committee." He's a five-inch-tall elephant.

"Nick is a wonderful plush toy available for a limited time to our most loyal supporters like you," Gazdo writes. "Embroidered with the official logo of the RNC, and wearing a Santa cap and scarf, Nick will make a great stocking stuffer or gift for those special Republicans in your life -- and is sure to be snapped up quickly." He can be yours for a $35 contribution.

"Your contribution will immediately be put to work," Gazdo promises. "The RNC is leading our Party's charge to rebuild from the grassroots up and provide the resources Republicans need to block the Obama Democrats' left-wing agenda."

But wait! There's more. "For a very limited time, you can still get all six Republican collectibles -- Nick, Max, Maxine (who's a pink elephant), Patrick (he's green) Victor and Sam -- with your special contribution of $150 to the RNC. I hope you will take advantage of this special offer. Thank you for your continuing commitment to our Party and our cause. Happy Holidays!"

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Speaking of gifts, it's getting to be time for President Bush to be issuing his most precious gifts, presidential pardons. And high on the list, according to our former colleague Dafna Linzer, now with ProPublica, may very well be the recently convicted Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). Stevens's appeal of his conviction for not disclosing $250,000 in gifts and such from a former pal is pending.

But you don't have to be convicted, or even indicted, to get a pardon, which is what maybe some folks involved in certain aspects of the war on terror are thinking.

Linzer, writing yesterday for the online magazine Slate, lists the odds for various potential recipients. Those with good shots at a gift from Bush include Texas Border Patrol guards Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, now serving time for shooting a Mexican drug runner in February 2005; James Tobin, Bush's 2004 New England campaign chairman, who was convicted for lying to the FBI about a plot to jam Democrats' phones in 2002; and, of course, former Cheney chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, convicted of perjury and obstructing the FBI in the investigation of the Valerie Plame Wilson leak. Bush has commuted his sentence, not the same thing as a full pardon.

With Philip Rucker and Alice Crites