THE ENERGIZER
He keeps switching, and switching, and switching. First Energy Secretary Bill Richardson opposed a Senate proposal to reorganize create a semi-autonomous National Nuclear Security Administration within DoE. Then, when passage appeared imminent, he endorsed the plan. It passed the Senate with only one "no" vote. Now he wants President Clinton to veto it.

By all accounts, Richardson is desperate to become Al Gore's running mate next year, and perhaps he thinks this series of flip-flops makes him look vice-presidential. But he's letting his own personal ambitions get in the way of his better judgment. Richardson doesn't want to share the credit for reforming the Energy Department with anybody, least of all Congressional Republicans. He wants to play the role of the hero who arrived late in the day to clean up the spy mess (you know, the one created by the Reagan and Bush administrations). Turns out that's not in the script. Richardson, who found himself occupying one of the highest-profile jobs in Washington earlier this year, had a real chance to shine. Looks like he's blowing.

ON THE COUCH
President Clinton has promised "to go into deep therapy after he leaves office," said Lucinda Franks, author of the controversial Hillary Clinton profile in Talk magazine's premier issue, on Meet the Press Sunday.

CONJUNCTION JUNCTION
A Los Angeles Times editorial (August 3): "The United States leads the world in innovating medical devices but lags in regulating them." Hmmm.