BUSH MAKES JOB OFFER OFFICIAL

WASHINGTON - President Bush finally made official Wednesday an offer
he extended to Rep. Asa Hutchinson, R-Fort Smith, to head the Drug
Enforcement Administration.

Bush had telephoned Hutchinson Monday afternoon to offer him the job,
and Hutchinson accepted. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer announced
Hutchinsonís nomination Wednesday during Fleischerís daily briefing.

"I told him Iíd be honored to served in his administration if the
Senate confirms me," Hutchinson said about his conversation with Bush.

"This is unique because it allows me to help Arkansas and the rest of
the country and puts me on a national stage to impact broad policy
across this country, and that excites me," Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson, 50, is the first member of Congress to be tapped for a
Bush administration job, and he likely will resign his House seat when
confirmed by the Senate, probably in July or September.

"I think thatís a good scenario because we have a lot of projects and
initiatives in the pipeline, and this gives me some added time to get
them done," Hutchinson said.

The Justice Department contacted Hutchinson 12 days ago about the job,
and the Arkansas lawmaker met with Attorney General John Ashcroft for
about an hour April 30. Hutchinson told Justice officials he would
only consider the position provided he were the sole candidate for the
job.

"Asa Hutchinson will bring unparalleled experience in public service
to the DEA," Ashcroft said in a statement. "I have utter confidence in
his ability to approach our nationís drug problem with fresh ideas and
strong leadership. He will be a crucial partner in our fight to win
the war on drugs, and I look forward to working with him."

Hutchinson, who will take a pay cut from $145,100 to $133,700, said he
decided to take the DEA job when told he would have a more prominent
role than previous directors to carry out the governmentís antidrug
efforts.

"They said they wanted someone more high profile and someone with a
law enforcement background who would elevate the DEA to play a greater
role in the administrationís war against drugs," said Hutchinson, a
former federal prosecutor. "It is important for me not just to be the
head of an agency but have the leeway to set my initiatives."

Fleischer said Hutchinsonís selection as DEA chief reflects Bushís
multifaceted approach to reducing drug usage through law enforcement
and drug treatment programs.

Hutchinson declined to say how he would change the DEAís mission,
which has been criticized for failing to curb drug usage in the United
States. He did say he favors more emphasis on education, drug
treatment and drug courts for nonviolent offenders to balance the law
enforcement duties of the agency.

As DEA head, Hutchinson will oversee more than 9,000 employees in 56
countries and a $1.5 billion budget. The DEA in conjunction with the
White House Office of Drug Control Policy sets national strategy for
curbing narcotics usage in the United States.

Although some political observers have said such a move to the DEA
would be considered a step down for Hutchinson, the Arkansas lawmaker
disagreed. He also said he is happy Bush bypassed him in January for
the deputy attorney general post, the No. 2 Justice Department job.

"Iím very pleased it wound up that this is what was offered to me,"
Hutchinson said about the DEA post. "This gives me the opportunity to
be a leader in a particular area rather than be a member of a small
team managing the overall Department of Justice."

House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., did not comment on Hutchinsonís
nomination but his spokesman said the two talked last week.

"I know the speaker thinks the DEA is very important and has
confidence in Mr. Hutchinson," said John Feehery, Hastertís spokesman.
"Obviously we donít like to lose members like Mr. Hutchinson, but we
do think this is a safe seat and we should be fine."

The House is narrowly divided between Republicans, who hold 220 seats,
and Democrats, who possess 210 seats. National Republican
Congressional Committee spokesman Carl Forti said he does not expect
Hutchinsonís resignation to change Republicansí standing in Congress.

"Itís a very Republican seat, and we shouldnít have much trouble
holding it," Forti said. "Bush won his district by 60 percent of the
vote and Dole won it in 1996."

While national Republicans are calling Hutchinsonís seat a sure win
for the party, Gov. Mike Huckabee was more cautious.

"It would be huge mistake to assume the 3rd District is a safe seat
for Republicans," Huckabee said in a statement. "It has only been safe
because weíve had great candidates who turned out to be great
congressmen. The party must put forth a strong candidate who can unify
and energize Republicans in the 3rd District."

The White House would not say whether the president considered
district politics in his decision to tap Hutchinson for the post.

"The president chooses the most qualified people, and certainly Mr.
Hutchinson is well qualified," said Jeannie Mamo, a White House
spokesperson.

Already Democrats and Republicans are lining up to replace Hutchinson,
even though the Arkansas lawmaker will not resign for several months.
Hutchinson said he would not endorse any primary candidates, even his
nephew former state Rep. Jim Hendren.

"I have enormous respect for Rep. Hendren, both family ties and whatís
he done. He can carry a campaign himself. I think itís important I be
neutral in that race," Hutchinson said. "Everybody ought to have a
fair shot."

When Hutchinson resigns Huckabee will set dates for a special
election, which could take three to six months, said Rex Nelson,
Huckabeeís spokesman.

During that time, the 3rd District would be without a representative
in the House, but Hutchinson said his staff will remain in his state
and Washington offices. Hutchinson said he will bring some staffers
with him to the Justice Department but wants others to continue to
work for his replacement.

"Under the House rules, the office continues to operate even though
there is a vacancy in it," Hutchinson said. "My staff will continue to
handle constituent needs, but there will be no vote during that time
frame."

Hutchinson said he will move his home to the Washington D.C. area
while at the DEA. His wife Susan would join him. His youngest son
Seth, a senior in high school, has been accepted to Georgetown
University in Washington. His daughter Sarah is already in Washington.
Two of his sons, daughter-in-law and a grandson live in Arkansas.

Hutchinson said he did not consider the DEA a stepping stone to a more
prestigious administration job or higher political office. However, he
did not rule out a comeback to Arkansas politics after his assignment
at the DEA.

"I think whenever you take the post like this you have to be removed
from politics," Hutchinson said. "No one knows what the future hold
and you never foreclose possibilities down the road."