WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Outgoing conservative Louisiana Democrat John Breaux will likely not join the president's Cabinet once he leaves office, sources told UPI Tuesday.
Breaux, who was first elected to the Senate in 1992, was rumored to be under consideration for a Cabinet post in the second Bush administration. But, according to sources close to the retiring senator, Breaux will not be joining the administration.
Recent speculation had Breaux as a possible replacement for Energy Secretary Spence Abraham -- who resigned Monday -- or as a potential successor to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson.
Thompson remains a member of the president's Cabinet but has been the subject of many rumors that he will depart his post, either to return to the private sector or to head up the U.S. Department of Transportation should Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta resign.
Breaux was considered a logical choice for either post, given his work with the White House on energy issues and his strong support for reform in programs like Social Security.
