The President -- Conceivably

By Melissa August

The few who can actually recognize all the members of President Clinton's Cabinet will note as they watch his State of the Union address on Jan. 25 that one Secretary is missing from the audience. It is a little-known tradition that one Cabinet member does not attend the speech, lest some calamity occur and wipe out everyone in the line of succession to the presidency. There is no rule for how the designee is chosen, but he or she is typically told at the last minute. For too long, the men and women who shoulder this terrible burden have done so in obscurity. Here are some of their stories.

TERREL BELL, Secretary of Education under Reagan. How he heard: Call from chief of staff James Baker to his car phone while on his way to speech. What he did: Watched at home with his wife. How it felt: "I was disappointed It was the first time the Reagan Cabinet was appearing publicly. And ((Baker said)) we'll pass this around, but he never did."

WILLIAM BENNETT, Secretary of Education under Reagan. Wisecrack: To Secret Service agents after speech (as reported by Donald Hodel, below): You mean I don't get to be President?

LAURO CAVAZOS, Secretary of Education under Bush. How he heard: About to head for Washington after giving a speech in Tyler, Texas, he was told by his staff he "was it." What he did: Watched speech with his wife in motel room. What he ate: Sandwich and Coke.

EDWARD DERWINSKI, Secretary of Veterans Affairs under Bush. What he did: "Went to a "safe" pizza parlor staked out by Secret Service several miles outside town. Topping: Sausage. Indiscretion: Asked why he wasn't at the speech, he told several people what had happened. The White House admonished him. "What was I supposed to do? Lie? I was watching a ball game? I was visiting a sick aunt?"

DONALD HODEL, Secretary of Energy under Reagan. Times chosen: Three (he thinks). What he did: In one instance, watched speech in a general's office at a Colorado Air Force base; in another, loaded a moving van while Secret Service blocked off street.

DREW LEWIS, Secretary of Transportation under Reagan. How he felt: "I was disappointed, but on the other hand, it was interesting to watch it on television and see all your colleagues there." What he did: Watched with an aide and ate pizza. Topping: Extra cheese, sausage, onion, pepperoni.

MANUEL LUJAN, Secretary of the Interior under Bush. Special circumstances: He recalls being the pick during Desert Storm. Where he went: "Arrangements were made with the Defense Department. I can't tell you where." How he felt: "I was very anxious. I was very happy when the speech was over. It was kind of overwhelming."

EDWIN MEESE, Attorney General under Reagan. What he did: In San Diego for a meeting, he spent the evening at a fish restaurant near the harbor.

SAMUEL PIERCE, Secretary of Housing under Reagan. Significance of his absence: According to Alfred Kingon, secretary to the Cabinet under Reagan, "Everyone is interested in what the President has to say, how he's going to say it, who is sitting with the First Lady, are there any mystery guests. I don't remember anyone asking me, 'Where is Sam Pierce?"'