BY GOSS
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.

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.

H-BOMBS
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.

The debate will also come at a time when rumors continue to swirl that Hillary Clinton is again mulling an entrance into the race.

The Prowler reported months ago that Clinton and her husband were looking at entering the race and potentially thinning the field after Labor Day, particularly because hubby Bill was unimpressed with the candidates and felt Hillary could step in late and still successfully fundraise.

“The guys who are in it right now have to make a better case that they can win,” says a DNC staffer. “It’s especially important that they do something now that the economy is showing signs of improving. It’s going to be tougher for these guys to make a serious run if the country appears to be on the right track. At that point, popularity becomes a bigger issues. Hillary has it. Most of these guys don’t.”