President Bush on Wednesday nominated Margaret Spellings, a White House adviser, as Secretary of Education.

Spellings, 46, came to the White House four years ago from Texas. She serves as chief adviser on domestic issues and is considered close to the president, much like national security adviser Condoleeza Rice, who has been nominated as Secretary of State, and counsel Alberto Gonzales, nominated as Attorney General.

The promoting of the inner circle to Cabinet posts represents Bush's intent to have greater control over federal agencies, observers said. Nearly half of the current Cabinet has resigned.

Gonzales, a Hispanic lawyer from Texas who served as a judge an aide to then-governor Bush, is expected to go before Judiciary Committee in January. Democrats and Republicans said he will easily win confirmation, unlike his predecessor, former senator John Ashcroft.

Get the Story:
'Under the Radar' -- Up Till Now (The Washington Post 11/18)
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Bush Nominates a Close Adviser for Top Education Post (The New York Times 11/18)
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Bush Promotes Miers From Staff to Counsel (The Washington Post 11/18)
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