Rowland Expresses Interest In Cabinet Post

HARTFORD, CONN. (AP) — Gov John G. Rowland is not lobbying for a job in Washington, despite telling an audience in Florida that he would be interested in becoming part of a George W. Bush administration, a Rowland spokesman said Tuesday.

In a lecture in Vero Beach, Fla, Monday, Gov Rowland told the audience that a position in a Bush cabinet “would be of interest” to him.

The governor’s remarks were hypothetical and came in response to a question from the audience, said Dean Pagani, the governor’s spokesman.

“He is just as interested in running for a third term, and it’s really too early to make those kind of decisions,”’ Mr Pagani said.

Gov Rowland was speaking in Florida as part of a “Distinguished Lecture” series, sponsored by Fleet Trust & Investment Services.

Gov Rowland is a former three-term congressman from Waterbury, and has been Gov Bush’s friend for over 20 years. His name has been floated as a possible running mate for the Texas governor.

Mr Pagani said Gov Rowland is not campaigning for that job, or any other.

“Any efforts to secure a position in a Bush administration would be premature at this point,” he said.