Briefly

--Paul Clinton

Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) has lost two of his right-hand

men.

Cox’s chief of staff, C. Dean McGrath, has been named deputy chief of

staff for Vice President-elect Dick Cheney.

McGrath, 47, joins another of Cox’s former staff members, Lewis

“Scooter” Libby, 50, who was named Cheney’s chief of staff in December.

Since joining Cox’s staff in 1996, McGrath has worked closely with the

congressman on several national security issues, including Cox’s report

on China. He previously held posts in both the Bush and Reagan

administrations.

Libby served as a legal advisor on Cox’s policy committee, along with

McGrath.

Cox has elevated policy advisor Peter Uhlmann to succeed McGrath.