Cisneros resisted pressure to run last year, citing his son’s heart ailment. But the boy has since had successful surgery. And after admitting an extra-marital affair, Cisneros is reconciled with his wife. Friends say Cisneros fears a down-and-dirty statewide campaign, but he may be hard pressed to ignore the party’s call this time.
Meanwhile, White House officials are speculating about who might replace Cisneros, or Ron Brown if the commerce secretary steps aside after allegations of influence peddling. Betting is that the first opening would go to chief of staff Mack McLarty, who would rather be “secretary of anything,” says a White House aide, than continue in his present job, where he is seen as well liked but insufficiently tough. Counselor David Gergen is said to covet McLarty’s job, but is notoriously undisciplined. Insiders say Clinton may prefer former House whip Tony Coelho or someone else who is “not afraid of hardball,” says the aide. But Coelho resigned from Congress amid questions about his financial dealings and may not be “rehabilitated enough,” the aide says.
