Bush Names Choices for No. 2 Posts in Energy Dept., Pentagon, OMB

President Bush on Wednesday picked former Louisiana GOP congressman W. Henson Moore for the No. 2 job at the Energy Department and selected attorney William M. Diefenderfer III to be second in command at the Office of Management and Budget.

For the No. 2 spot at the Pentagon, Bush chose automotive executive Donald J. Atwood.

Moore, who served in the House from 1975 until 1987 and is considered knowledgeable about the oil and gas industry, had been under consideration for the top job at the Energy Department. However, Bush decided to name a secretary who was an expert in nuclear energy, and he chose James D. Watkins, former chief of naval operations, for the post.

Since leaving Congress, Moore has been a partner in a law firm based in Atlanta and Washington.

Diefenderfer served as chief of staff and counsel to Sen. Bob Packwood (R-Ore.) when Packwood was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Atwood, who is expected to bring management expertise to the Pentagon, has been vice chairman of the board of General Motors since 1987. He would work under former Sen. John Tower of Texas, who is Bush’s nominee as defense secretary.

Moore, Diefenderfer and Atwood all must be confirmed by the Senate.