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Shadegg's bid

Conservative Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona announced yesterday that he is seeking the chairmanship of the House Republican Policy Committee, the fifth-ranking post in the party's elected leadership.

By late yesterday, Mr. Shadegg had accumulated more than 115 signatures on a " 'Dear Colleague' letter supporting him for the post," an aide told reporter Ralph Z. Hallow of The Washington Times.

That would be more than enough votes to ensure Mr. Shadegg's election.

"Shadegg rated an 'A' from us for his voting record last year and in 2002," said Paul J.Gessing, director of government affairs at the National Taxpayers Union.

Mr. Shadegg would succeed Rep. Christopher Cox, California Republican, who left the policy committee chairmanship to lead the new Homeland Security Committee. The policy committee post ranks after House speaker, majority leader, majority whip and Republican conference chairman.

Noonan's advice

"No one wants to be head of the Democratic National Committee. This is bad but understandable," Peggy Noonan writes at www.OpinionJournal.com.

"A fractious party has been further fractured by a hard year. What you need for DNC chairman is a man or woman of some stature who can make the case for your party day in and day out in big media. Fund-raising expertise is secondary -- hire someone to do it. So is organizational skill -- hire organizers. You need someone who makes the Democratic Party look nonsleazy, nonmanipulative and nonweak on TV. He doesn't have to be nationally known, but he must be -- how to put this? -- good-natured, moderate in manner, and normal-seeming. That would mean not Howard Dean," Mrs. Noonan said.