Nunn Removes Himself From Consideration for Defense Job

WASHINGTON — The White House intensified its search for a new defense secretary on Wednesday after the abrupt and unexpected withdrawal of nominee Bobby Ray Inman.

Officials said that Georgia Democratic Sen. Sam Nunn, the powerful chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, had been approached about the job, but Nunn, who has sparred with President Clinton on defense budget issues and on the acceptance of gays in the military, declined to be considered.

Other possible candidates cited by White House and congressional officials include former New Hampshire Republican Sen. Warren B. Rudman, defense industry executive Norman Augustine and the current deputy defense secretary, William Perry.

Inman, a retired admiral and former top intelligence official, was supposed to bring unimpeachable credentials to the job but withdrew on Tuesday, citing a poisonous atmosphere in Washington that made further public service unattractive.