Former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber doubts he'll get Obama cabinet job

SALEM, Ore. — Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber says he thinks it's "extremely doubtful" he'll be picked to be interior secretary in the Obama administration.

The popular former governor has been mentioned as a candidate for the Interior Department post or other jobs in the Obama administration.

In an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press, Kitzhaber said he hasn't been asked to fill out one of the lengthy applications the Obama transition team uses for Cabinet jobs.

Kitzhaber says that as the father of an 11-year-old son, Logan, he's reluctant to spend long periods away from Oregon working in Washington, D.C.

"I think people back there know that I wouldn't be willing to set up permanent residence in Washington because of my son," he said. "I would expect that's a deal breaker for them."

At the same time, Kitzhaber said he remains an enthusiastic supporter of Obama, having endorsed him early in the year, and would be willing to serve the new president in some other capacity if asked.

Kitzhaber, 60, a former emergency room doctor and state legislator who served two terms as governor, said there are plenty of good candidates for the Interior Department post. He specifically mentioned Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Ariz.

"If I were to put my money anywhere, it would be on him," Kitzhaber said.

Kitzhaber has been mentioned as a potential contender for governor again in 2010, but in Tuesday's interview he fended off questions about his political future.

There's likely to be a crowded field of Democrats running for governor in 2010, including Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury. He announced in August that he was thinking "seriously" about a run.

Portland pollster Tim Hibbitts said that Kitzhaber, with his low-key, jeans-and-cowboy boots approach that found favor with many Oregonians, would be a "front-ranked" contender if he chose to run for governor in 2010.

"By and large, people have warm memories of his time as governor," Hibbitts said. "Could he be a viable candidate for governor again? The answer is 'absolutely yes,' "

The current governor, Democrat Ted Kulongoski, is barred by state law from running for a third consecutive term in 2010.