Inside the Ring

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Payroll journalists

In light of mini-scandals involving the Bush administration paying for work by three syndicated columnists, the Pentagon's top public relations man has asked for an inquiry at the Defense Department.

"I have no reason to believe there might be a problem, but in a department as large as ours, with decentralized decision-making and budget approval authorities, it seems appropriate to audit relevant contracts in a systematic manner," wrote chief Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita in a letter to Pentagon Inspector-General Joseph Schmitz.

We obtained a copy of the letter, dated yesterday.

"In light of recent press reports alleging that other departments of government have used public funds to pay journalists for various purposes, it seems prudent to review the use of Department of Defense funds that might possibly have led to such activity through department or non-DoD contracting activities."

Mr. Di Rita said it would be "most helpful to review activities going back six to eight years," a span that would cover the second term of the Clinton administration. President Bush has condemned the practice of his departments paying, directly or indirectly, columnists for research projects or for what seemed to be favorable opinion pieces.

Down to two

The buzz in the Pentagon is that the competition to be the next Joint Chiefs chairman this fall is already down to just two: Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, the Joint Chiefs vice chairman; and Navy Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr., the head of U.S. Forces Command in Norfolk.

Both are favorites of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. Gen. Pace is a no-nonsense Vietnam combat veteran who has been a major influence on policy in the war on terror.