Bush picks Ridge, Veneman successors

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President Bush will nominate former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik to become secretary of the Department of Homeland Security as early as today, Bush administration officials said last night.

In a continued administration exodus before Mr. Bush begins his second term next month, John C. Danforth, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, yesterday announced his resignation after less than six months on the job, reportedly because he did not win the nomination to become secretary of state.

Also yesterday, the president named Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns to head the Agriculture Department to replace outgoing Secretary Ann M. Veneman.

Mr. Kerik, 49, a tough cop with a shaved head and a brusque demeanor, impressed Mr. Bush after the president dispatched him to Iraq earlier this year to oversee the training of Iraqi police forces, one Republican with ties to the White House said.

The Republican official also said that former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani was the first choice to replace Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, but that he declined the position and recommended Mr. Kerik.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat and a frequent Bush critic, issued a statement of support for the nominee, who must be confirmed by the Senate.

"Coming from New York, Bernie Kerik knows the great needs and challenges this country faces in homeland security. He has a strong law-enforcement background and I believe will do an excellent job in fighting for the resources and focus that homeland security needs and deserves in our post-9/11 world," Mr. Schumer said.

If approved, Mr. Kerik would oversee the department that began operations last year, combining 22 disparate federal agencies with more than 180,000 employees.

Mr. Danforth, 68, took the post as U.N. ambassador in June, after his predecessor, John D. Negroponte, was named ambassador to Iraq. Mr. Danforth had been mentioned as a successor to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, but Mr. Bush picked National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.

Yesterday, Mr. Danforth released his letter of resignation -- dated Nov. 22, just six days after Miss Rice was named to the State Department post. The letter stated Mr. Danforth's desire to "return to private life" after Jan. 20, when Mr. Bush will be inaugurated for his second term.