WASHINGTON INSIGHT

The Gulf War postponed the traditional biennial job shuffle that punctuates the midpoints of presidential terms. Now that the crisis is over, some changes could be on the horizon.

TRYING AGAIN: Robert M. Gates, President Bush’s deputy national security adviser, has made no effort to hide his ambition to make a second bid for the top CIA post once William H. Webster, the director since 1987, steps down.

Gates was deputy CIA director when President Ronald Reagan nominated him for the top job. But the nomination ran into trouble in the Senate confirmation process and was withdrawn over allegations during the Iran-Contra scandal that CIA analysts under Gates’ supervision had slanted their reports to buttress arguments of Administration officials who wanted to sell weapons to Iran.

So the job went to Webster, who had brought sweeping reforms to the FBI in his nine years as director there and then proceeded to do the same at the CIA. Webster already has served longer than all but three of his 14 predecessors, and he is indicating to friends that he will step down before Bush’s term ends.

Those supporting Gates hope the CIA post will come open sooner rather than later because, with President Bush riding so high in the polls, Gates’ nomination would be less likely to face strong opposition in the Senate. “This summer would be the time,” said one Administration official. Once the fall comes and the White House becomes more focused on the election, Bush would likely shy away from any potential confirmation fight, the official said.

MOVING UP? When James D. Watkins steps down as head of the Energy Department--a move some sources say could also come by midsummer--he is expected to be replaced by Deputy Energy Secretary W. Henson Moore, a former Louisiana congressman. Sources said Moore took his present post with the understanding that he would replace Watkins, a retired admiral, when he leaves.

Moore had considered returning to Louisiana to run for governor. But after receiving the results of a statewide poll assessing his chances, Moore told John H. Sununu, Bush’s chief of staff, he had decided not to run.

Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer’s recent switch from the Democratic Party to the GOP probably cinched the decision for Moore, who would have found himself with the uncomfortable prospect of running against one of his own party’s incumbents.

OFF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST: One post that apparently will not be shuffled is that of the White House chief of staff.

“The war really saved Sununu’s job,” said one White House official. As recently as last fall, the widespread view among Bush’s aides was that Sununu was in trouble, particularly after his disastrous handling of the budget negotiations between the Administration and Congress.

When attention shifted from domestic to foreign affairs, the grumbling about Sununu quieted. Now, with Bush enormously popular and the White House looking toward the 1992 election, aides say the President is not inclined to change his team.

But clouds could still threaten this sunny picture.

Sununu has placed a longtime acquaintance, Ron Kaufmann, a Republican operative from Massachusetts, in charge of the White House political office. But Bush has a number of strong-willed former campaign aides, including his media guru, Roger Ailes, and his pollster, Robert Teeter, who may bridle at taking directions from Sununu’s suite when reelection efforts get going.