Meanwhile, Leavitt says he's going about his normal business of being governor, awaiting the final Senate action.

After Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, announced on the Senate floor Monday that Democrats had agreed to a final up-or-down vote on Leavitt Tuesday morning without any "holds" or filibusters, Leavitt said he "appreciates those who have worked to move a final vote" on his nomination.

Natalie Gochnour, Leavitt's spokeswoman, added, "The governor remains patient and gracious; he feels optimistic he can make a meaningful contribution at the Environmental Protection Agency and looks forward to the final vote in the morning."

The transition

Meanwhile, it remains unclear exactly when Leavitt will resign his post and Walker be sworn in as governor.

"It is still sketchy," Gochnour said Monday night. But assuming Leavitt is confirmed this morning, "there will be a resignation (of Leavitt) and an inaugural (of Walker) either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of next week," she said.

"We're sketchy because the final vote (in the Senate) has not taken place. And we're sketchy because next Tuesday is an Election Day" for all the cities and towns in the state.

Does Leavitt want to make a farewell speech at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday while many citizens are still at the polls? "We're looking at Monday" for the resignation and inaugural, "but nothing is set," said Gochnour.

One thing is clear: Leavitt will sign the resignation letter and Walker will be sworn into office at the same time, so the mantle of governor is passed smoothly, said Gochnour.

Preliminary plans call for Leavitt to fly to Washington following his resignation, although he told reporters after his Monday KUED Channel 7 monthly news conference that he had not found an apartment in Washington.

Resolving concerns

The preliminary Senate victory came after the White House negotiated vigorously Monday to satisfy at least one key senator who had placed a hold against Leavitt — and thus also pacify her allies — and Leavitt also worked the phones a bit to calm some senators concerned about EPA actions in their home states.

For example, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., said the White House largely resolved concerns that led her to be the first senator to place a "hold" against Leavitt. A hold is a vow to oppose the normal unanimous consent needed to debate a nomination. The only way to overcome that is with a three-fifths majority "cloture" vote. Republicans have failed to win cloture votes every other time they have attempted it this year, losing 13 times.