Informed Sources

Who Will Fill Colin Powell's Shoes?

Washington -- President Clinton hasn't made a final decision about who will replace GENERAL COLIN POWELL as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but a source close to the selection process has told Time that two candidates have emerged as front runners. Leading the pack is Air Force General George ("Lee") Butler, and for now Marine General Joseph Hoar is holding on to second place. Since Powell and his immediate predecessor have come from the Army and Navy respectively, the normal rotation would suggest that the next Joint Chiefs Chairman be a general, such as Butler, from the Air Force. Nonetheless, Hoar is considered a strong contender because of what some see as his first-rate job as head of America's forces in the Middle East.

The Navy Prevails over Clinton Pledge

Washington -- Having beaten the President on the gays-in-uniform issue, the military has challenged Clinton's resolve on other campaign promises. In one instance, the Navy appears to have done so successfully: it has persuaded Clinton to drop his pledge to reduce the number of carrier task forces from 13 to 10. A forthcoming Pentagon planning document states that the Navy will retain 12 of its carrier battle groups. Depending on how many vessels each one includes, a carrier battle group costs upwards of $20 billion.

The Traditional Sending of the Resumes

Chicago -- If the loyalty of staff in times of trouble is any indication of a politician's fate, then DAN ROSTENKOWSKI's future may not be bright. The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee faces the threat of prosecution for embezzlement, and his senior aides are experiencing a grave crisis of confidence. Concerned and panicky, some employees of the Congressman who have been with him for many of his 16 terms are working the halls on Capitol Hill looking for new jobs and angling for yet-to-be-filled Administration posts. Rostenkowski has denied that he engaged in any illegal or unethical conduct.