Reports The New York Times:
Mr. Romney would draw from his campaign circle for White House staff. Mr. Leavitt seems a likely chief of staff, although Senator Portman is also mentioned. Richard Williamson, a foreign policy adviser, may become national security adviser, while another aide, Dan Senor, seems likely to get a top position, perhaps working for a Vice President Paul D. Ryan. Bob White, a longtime Romney friend and campaign chairman, could be senior adviser. Either Eric Fehrnstrom or Kevin Madden could be press secretary.
The competition for secretary of state has exposed an ideological rift. When Robert Zoellick, the former World Bank president, was tapped to run the national security transition team, it ignited protests from conservatives who viewed him as too moderate. They prefer John R. Bolton, the outspoken former ambassador to the United Nations, although he could not win confirmation even for that post during the Bush administration and had to be installed by recess appointment.
Other options include Mr. Portman; Robert M. Kimmitt, a former undersecretary of state and deputy treasury secretary; or even Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, the hawkish independent from Connecticut who caucuses with Democrats. Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota had been held up for a top job but effectively bowed out to take a private-sector position starting Nov. 1.
To run the Treasury Department, Mr. Romney could tap, instead of Mr. Portman, Mr. Zoellick, Mr. Kimmitt or R. Glenn Hubbard, the Columbia Business School dean. Former Senator James M. Talent of Missouri is seen as a possible defense secretary. Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia could be attorney general, as could Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire. Senator Orrin G. Hatch and former Senator Robert F. Bennett, both of Utah, and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida all are in the mix.
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