After eight years representing a district that includes Mayport Naval Station, serving on the House Armed Services Committee and being a vocal advocate for First Coast military bases, she could be an ideal choice for secretary of the Navy, a position immediately subordinate to the secretary of defense. Fowler has flatly denied that any deal was cut on her behalf between Bush and former presidential candidate Elizabeth Dole, who endorsed Bush after leaving the race and is one of Fowler's closest friends. But John Libby, president of Jacksonville conservative political consulting firm American Public Dialogue, said Fowler can only benefit from the goodwill Dole engendered by forgoing an ugly primary battle. If Elizabeth got any advantage from her early endorsement of Bush, it would be to Fowler's benefit. And although GOP activists have downplayed the possibility of a higher, Cabinet-level appointment for Fowler, Barcelo said her rapid assumption of high rank in Congress could be an omen.
Fowler shrugs off questions about the future.
I haven't talked to Bush's people and don't plan to. Brogan, a former teacher, principal and state education commissioner, has been talked about as a hot prospect for a high-ranking position in the federal Education Department. I' d be amazed if he didn't end up on a short list for education secretary. But Brogan has left even close supporters uncertain about his long-term goals. He passed up this fall's race for the U.S. Senate, a move many attributed to the fresh wound of his wife's death in late 1998.