The New Mexico governor has been the best hope for a Latino to land a high-ranking post in the new administration. But Richardson, a former U.N. ambassador and energy secretary, appears to have lost out to Clinton -- although he could land another Cabinet post, perhaps at Interior.

Still, anxiety is running high among Latino leaders because Obama has yet to name a Latino to a top White House or Cabinet position. This is on the minds of senior transition officials -- including Obama's designated chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel -- who are said to be considering Latino candidates for several Cabinet posts.

"The Obama transition team and the chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, understand the role that the Latino vote played in this election, and I think we will see representation in the Obama Cabinet and at the White House," said Janet Murguia, president of the National Council of La Raza.

Rep. Xavier Becerra (Calif.), a member of the House Democratic leadership, said he has been forwarding the names of Latino candidates "for every type of position you can think of in the federal government, from Cabinet on down."

"We can remember the days when people said we had no applications, or there's no one qualified," Becerra said. "Everyone understands that the days of excuses are over."

Becerra, who's been mentioned as a candidate for labor secretary, said he is "not looking" for an administration job.

At least four Latino candidates are said to be under consideration to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development: Miami Mayor Manny Diaz; Adolfo Carrion Jr., a longtime New York pol, and Bronx borough president; Saul Ramirez Jr., a former deputy HUD secretary; and Nelson A. Diaz, who has been a judge and a HUD general counsel.

As for Richardson, Murguia suggested he could serve as secretary of commerce or the interior. "Perhaps there's an ambassador role to China," she added.

On Holder, a Hatch Redux?

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), in backing Eric Holder's nomination to be attorney general yesterday, noted the supportive words from Senate Republicans, especially from the Judiciary Committee's second-ranking Republican, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. "I respect the man, and I intend to support him," Hatch told reporters Wednesday, praising his reputation and experience.

But no one should get too carried away. We recall Hatch's effusive praise of President Bill Clinton's nominee for attorney general, Zoe Baird, in mid-January 1993, after it was revealed she had hired a Peruvian couple who were in this country illegally to be her nanny and chauffeur and failed to pay their Social Security taxes.

There was talk that the committee might delay her confirmation hearing to look into the matter, but Hatch indicated at the time he would oppose the move, saying, "She's as straight a shooter as I've seen -- very intelligent, an excellent nominee."

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