Bush: Ridge Out

Officials: Ridge Resigns Homeland Post

By KATHERINE PFLEGER SHRADER
WASHINGTON (AP) - Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has informed the White House and department staff that he has resigned, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

In an e-mail circulated to senior Homeland Security officials, Ridge praised the department as "an extraordinary organization that each day contributes to keeping America safe and free." He also said he was privileged to work with the department's 180,000 employees "who go to work every day dedicated to making our company better and more secure."

A news conference has been set for 2:45 p.m.

Who'll replace him? Eventually Bush is gonna run out of incompetent White House insiders he can foist on the country for these important posts. Maybe Barney's dog-walker is in line for the job? And if they're a minority, they can cow the Democrats into a weak-kneed confirmation for them too!