The American Spectator

p> BY GOSS br> Word on Capitol Hill is that Rep. Porter Goss is talking retirement, an announcement that would surprise many fellow Republicans in the House. Goss, who has been out front for the Bush Administration on a number of issues due to his chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee, would represent the biggest loss to the GOP House leadership in the coming election cycle. /p>

Goss previously worked at the CIA, and he’s been mentioned as a possible replacement of current CIA director George Tenet. The congressman from Florida has not publicly talked of retirement, but a decision would most likely have to be made in the coming few weeks so that Republicans have time to find a replacement candidate.

“I would be surprised that he was retiring,” says a House leadership staffer. “He doesn’t strike me as someone who is tired; he’s going to be playing an important role on a number of issues in the coming months. I would think he wouldn’t want to be a lame duck.”

Goss has been holding hearings on the Iraqi intelligence development at the CIA and inside the Bush Administration, as well as hearings into the country’s anti-terrorism activities overseas. He’s seen as a reliable ally, but also a tough nut to crack, for the Bush team.

p> H-BOMBS br> September 4th will be a big day for Democratic presidential candidates. Most of them will be appearing either live or via satellite with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson , members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Hispanic leaders in Albuquerque. The debate will amount to Democratic presidential wannabes trying to woo the Hispanic vote at a time when they are desperate to attract that growing political base, particularly in the southwest. /p>