It's a page right out of Slick Willie's play book.

In one swift, subtle move, GeorgeW satisfied Republican thirst for an electable candidate, brought moderates into the fold and stole a Democratic issue away.

This week, the presumptive Republican nominee's aides conveniently leaked a selection of potential cabinet members in Bush Administration II. All are choices sure to be welcomed by most factions of the Republican Party, and all are guaranteed to draw in former Reagan coalition voters bored by Gore the Snore.

Specimen 1: Gen. Colin Powell, also known in Republican circles as "please, please, please run." Since Powell has refused to accept the vice-presidential nomination, Bush apparently has convinced the immensely popular black Republican to serve as secretary of state. This would make him the highest-ranking minority in U.S. history.

Specimen 2: Sen. John McCain, also known in Republican circles as "please, please, please shut up." McCain has purportedly indicated he would accept the job of secretary of defense, undeniably an attractive fit considering his war record and strong knowledge of related issues. Plus, it accomplishes the goal of getting him stop trashing GeorgeW, and the related goal of removing him from the Senate, where he's known as a troublemaker on the right.

Specimen 3: Condoleezza Rice, Bush's top campaign advisor on foreign policy. She is GeorgeW's top pick for national security advisor.

OK, notice any trends here? First, all three positions pertain to foreign policy, Bush's greatest perceived weakness and an area where Gore has been quick to attack. By indicating that he'll appoint one of the country's best-loved military leaders and a respected war hero to the country's two top foreign policy posts, Bush takes the first steps toward alleviating concerns about a governor taking over as commander-in-chief. (Funny, nobody's seemed to care for the last seven years, yet suddenly Democrats are so concerned. Hmmm.)

The second trend is the one that snatches a key issue away from the Democrats. Let me take you back to 1993. Clinton was just about to be inaugurated, and his team began floating the names of prospective cabinet members. I remember this vividly, because it marked the point when I lost all respect for our newly elected president.

The list of Clinton cabinet nominees was suspiciously multi-cultural. Regardless of their experience and skills - or, in most cases, a lack thereof - Clinton's team chose a mishmash of blacks, Hispanics and women to fill his cabinet. This approach, which placed skin color and gender over qualifications, led to such brilliant choices as Ron Brown, Janet Reno, and the succession of losers and freaks who were failed nominees for attorney general and surgeon general.

Bush already has beaten the Democrats at their own game. Of his first three potential nominees, two are minorities, and one is a woman. What's more, they all are extremely qualified, well-liked and shoo-ins in the Senate confirmation process.

By announcing these nominees, Bush immediately has thrown a wrench in perennial Democratic plans to paint Republicans as bigots and chauvinists. His administration already is shaping up as more diverse and higher quality than the one currently in place. Plus, it takes pressure off of Bush to tap the "perfect" vice presidential nominee - he's already satisfied minorities and moderates with his all-star cabinet choices. And I dare Gore to dig up two cabinet candidates more attractive to voters than McCain and Powell.