WASHINGTON, 31 October 2004 — As the Bush and Kerry political campaigns begin winding down, Cabinet contenders have lined up in hopes of working with a new administration.

Whoever wins Tuesday’s presidential election must move quickly to put together an administration. In John Kerry’s case, observers believe he will call on former Clinton officials and staffers, campaign advisers, and even fellow lawmakers, past and present, to create a White House from scratch.

President Bush is also planning some major changes in his Cabinet if he wins a second term, say Washington insiders, but there will be very little change among his small group of closest advisers.

Both presidential contenders want to create a diverse White House Cabinet if elected. Here are some predictions of what a Kerry Cabinet would look like:

State Department: Kerry has spoken with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), who is Hispanic, about serving as Secretary of State. Richardson was Energy secretary and an ambassador under the Clinton administration; but rumors persist that he is not interested in a Cabinet position. Observers now believe the odds-on favorites for the post are Richard Holbrooke, a former assistant secretary of state under Clinton who has been a top Kerry foreign policy adviser, and Sen. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. of Delaware, the senior Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee. Biden has the edge, as he and Kerry have been close friends for 20 years and talk regularly.

But the choice is not limited to these two men. There are many other Democrats Kerry could turn to: former Senate Democratic leader George J. Mitchell, a peace mediator for Northern Ireland and the Middle East; or former Sens. Sam Nunn of Georgia, chairman of the Armed Services Committee during some of his 24 years in the Senate, and Gary Hart of Colorado and former Rep. Lee H. Hamilton of Indiana, vice chairman of the 9/11 commission; all of whom have been working in the national security and counter terrorism fields since leaving Congress. (Mitchell or Holbrooke could end up as special envoy to the Middle East as a consolation prize if passed over for the top State job.)

Defense: Options include two retired generals supporting Kerry — Army Gen. Wesley Clark, and US Air Force Gen. Merrill McPeak — along with Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan; Sen. Hart; former Sen. Warren Rudman, R-New Hampshire, and Missouri Rep. Ike Skelton, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. Sen. John McCain was once high in the running, but hurt his chances by campaigning for Bush.

Just as Clinton appointed Republican Sen. William S. Cohen of Maine to head the Pentagon, Kerry could reach across the aisle for this position. Some say Kerry could turn to Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, a decorated Vietnam veteran and influential moderate who has been critical of Bush’s handling of the war. Kerry insiders have also mentioned Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia.

National Security Adviser: Kerry is thought to be considering a number of former White House aides such as Clinton’s deputy national security adviser, James B. Steinberg, and Dennis Ross, who was special Middle East coordinator for Clinton and a State Department official for the first President George Bush.

Homeland Security: Kerry, if elected, could again use this position for a crossover pick, selecting former New Jersey Gov. Thomas H. Kean, the Republican chairman of the 9/11 Commission. Another Republican possibility: Richard Armitage, Colin Powell’s deputy at State and someone “highly regarded by just about everyone,” says one Democratic foreign policy specialist.

Democratic possibilities include Rep. Lee Hamilton, or retiring Florida Sen. Bob Graham, D-Florida.

Several women are being eyed for possible posts within a Kerry administration. Jeanne Shaheen, a former New Hampshire governor, could be named Secretary of Health and Human Services, while Rep. Jane Harman (D-California) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) are potential Homeland Security picks. Jamie S. Gorelick, a member of the Sept. 11 commission, is a possible Attorney General nominee.