The Insider

The hiring of John Potts, if it happens, will increase Lawson's already high exposure as one of Brown's chief political liabilities. Since opposition to the gestating Main Street rail proposal seems nonexistent at the moment, perhaps the one sure-fire way to re-energize the opposition would be to name a politically tainted head of Metro.

Former mayor Lanier, a supporter of Brown, says the selection of the new general manager could prove to be a crucial hire.

"I think this is going to be a very important appointment for the Brown administration , particularly since it will be spotlighted in the coming rail election, if it comes to that." To convince Congressman Tom DeLay to support federal funding for the project, and to win the inevitable transit election, Lanier figures that "the leader of Metro is going to have to inspire confidence. He really does need to be a well-qualified person."

If Brown's surrogates do not choose well, their boss may pay dearly somewhere down the line.

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