With the news that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will step down breaking this morning, official Washington is already buzzing about the movements on the chess board necessary to fill the position. The key, say many Republicans, is to avoid a nasty confirmation battle. At this point in the administration, few appointees could side-step a fight.

Early word is that Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is the odds-on favorite. Asked by CNN about the possibility of a Chertoff appointment, even Senate Judiciary Committee member Chuck Schumer seemed cautiously optimistic. Chertoff's major problem, almost exactly two years after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, comes from the calendar: Democrats will likely feel free to question the DHS Secretary who oversaw FEMA during their inept handling of the disaster. Still, CNN's Suzanne Malveaux reported that Bush administration officials say "he's at the top of the list."

Should Chertoff leave DHS headquarters, many say Clay Johnson, deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, would likely take his place.

Others suggested a temporary replacement at the Department of Justice would be Solicitor General Paul Clement, whose long career included over 25 cases argued in front of the Supreme Court, time at Georgetown Law School and as a clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia.

Long-shot candidates whose names always crop up when there's an opening at DoJ include Senators Orrin Hatch, of Utah, and John Cornyn, of Texas. Both have been long-time supporters of President Bush. Another candidate who finds himself always the bridesmaid, former Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson, may be perfectly happy to be overlooked. After a career in government, Thompson now works as general counsel to PepsiCo.

Gonzales makes a statement at 10:30 from Washington, while President Bush will talk to reporters at 11:30 from Waco, Texas.

More Notes later this morning.