Keating says near future remains in Oklahoma

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Passed over for the attorney general job in the George W. Bush administration, Gov. Frank Keating said he is more than happy to continue serving out his term in Oklahoma. <br><br>``I

Saturday, December 23rd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Passed over for the attorney general job in the George W. Bush administration, Gov. Frank Keating said he is more than happy to continue serving out his term in Oklahoma.

``I have a lot to do in the next two years,'' he said, adding that he plans to work with the Legislature ``to do the things that are necessary to improve Oklahoma.

``I can't run again, so I have only two years, and I want to make the best of them,'' he said.

After that, his future is up in the air.

Some suggest Keating may run for the U.S. Senate in 2002 if Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe does not seek re-election. He also may be a possible candidate to replace FBI director Louis Freeh, whose term expires in 2003 but who has said he wants to leave the FBI.

Keating may even still have a shot at attorney general if the Senate rejects Bush's nomination of former Missouri Sen. John Ashcroft, a conservative whose selection brought a negative response from groups representing civil rights, women, blacks and Hispanics.

Meanwhile, Keating said he likes his current job, which includes a free house and a cook. He said he is not excited about surrendering such perks to move back to Washington, only to face the prospect of expensive housing and congested traffic.

``If the president were to call me ... I'd be flattered and consider it, but I would have to want to go to work every day. And to get in traffic every day, sitting there, an hour in and an hour back just to work in the Capitol, I've already done all that,'' Keating said.

``It would have to be something substantial.''

While Keating showed no real interest this year in lesser cabinet posts in the Bush administration, he said he could have a different attitude if a similar opportunity presents itself in two years after his second term as governor ends.

Keating's background includes work as an FBI agent and four years at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and in the Treasury Department.

He has also served as a state representative and a state senator.