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Leavitt was reportedly very interested in the homeland security job but was never interviewed for it by the president.

In fact, Leavitt's name has popped up from time to time as different Cabinet posts have become available. But Leavitt has always insisted he was happy at EPA and promised to unveil next month a major environmental agenda that would chart the administration's course for the next four years.

During a recent meeting with the Deseret Morning News editorial board, Leavitt said he was looking forward to continuing as EPA administrator. Leavitt's office did not return phone calls Monday, but Cabinet nominees rarely speak to the news media until confirmation hearings conclude.

But instead of pitching Bush's controversial "Clear Skies" initiative — a dead issue in Congress during the first Bush administration — Leavitt will be swinging at some of the hardest issues on Capitol Hill, among them Medicare and Medicaid reform, Social Security, the safety and affordability of prescription drugs, biomedical research and abortion funding.

And he'll take the fall if there aren't enough flu vaccines next year or if another popular drug like Vioxx that passed FDA muster is later deemed a danger to public health.

The Utah congressional delegation was effusive in its praise for the nomination, even suggesting Leavitt is much better suited for HHS than for EPA.

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