TRANSITION WATCH

INSIDER CAUCUS? Although he ran for President as an outsider, Bill Clinton could wind up with a pack of congressional insiders in his Administration. . . . Along with Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-Tex.), the hot prospect to head Treasury, comes Rep. Thomas J. Downey (D-N.Y.), only 25 when elected to Congress in 1974. Downey now heads Clinton’s health and human services “transition cluster” and could become secretary of HHS. . . . Also in sight: Sen. Timothy E. Wirth (D-Colo.) is likely for the Energy or Interior departments. . . . And Sen. Bill Bradley (D-N.J.) and Rep. Les Aspin (D-Wis.) are under serious study for secretaries of state and defense, respectively. . . . A source says Clinton wants to “skim the cream” of Congress but worries about having too many ex-lawmakers around.

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POTOMAC FEVER: But wait: A whole bunch more Congress people are pounding on Clinton’s door. A Times survey found that nearly all of the 30 Democratic House members and three senators who failed to win reelection this year would be happy to land a high-level post. . . . “I would be interested in legislative liaison or defense conversion,” said Rep. Joan Kelly Horn (D-Mo.). . . . Rep. Jerry Huckaby (D-La.) “hears he may be up for No. 2 or 3 at Agriculture,” an aide confided. . . . “It’s a bit unseemly to speculate,” said an aide to Rep. Stephen J. Solarz (D-N.Y.). But secretary of state, an ambassadorship or assistant secretary of defense “have been mentioned.” . . . “Suitable areas” for Sen. Wyche Fowler Jr. (D-Ga.) are energy, environment, foreign affairs and defense, an aide says. . . . A trade post appeals to Rep. Elizabeth (Liz) J. Patterson (D-S.C.), if she can go home to South Carolina on weekends. . . . Rep. Dave Nagle (D-Iowa) doesn’t want to chair the Commodities Futures Trading Commission or be U.S. attorney, but he would take secretary of agriculture. . . . An aide to Rep. Gerry Sikorski (D-Minn.) notes he has “worked with” Vice President-elect Al Gore “on a wide range of critical energy and commerce issues.” Get the message, Al?

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LEO & MEL: California Lt. Gov. Leo T. McCarthy has told friends in the Clinton camp that he would like a top job in the Interior, Labor or Commerce departments. McCarthy lost to Sen.-elect Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) in the Democratic primary. . . . Rep. Mel Levine (D-Santa Monica), another runner-up to Boxer, also is known to be open to a Clinton offer.

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FOOD CHANGE? Get rid of the French and other European chefs who dominate the White House and bring in some trendy cooks who stress the lighter “new American cuisine.” . . . That is the tasty proposal of Los Angeles caterer-chef Andrea Bell, who runs L.A. Celebrations. In a letter to the Clinton transition team, she urges more casual White House dinners that highlight “fresh, regional ingredients combined with our multifaceted ethnic background.” . . . For example: turkey chili served family style with Tillamook Cheddar and Monterey Jack, sour cream, cilantro and Vidalia onions. Also, jalapeno corn bread or anadama bread, wild rice with cranberries and pecans, mixed California baby green lettuce salad with garlic croutons and three-citrus vinaigrette. For dessert: Granny Smith apple crumble tart with vanilla bean ice cream. . . . “I would like to see the Clintons’ personal style extend to the events they present to America and the world,” Bell said.