via Scripting News...

Bara Vaida : "Howard Schmidt, Microsoft's chief security officer, is expected to leave within the next month to join the Bush administration and work with White House cyber-security adviser Richard Clarke, according to sources in the computer-security industry."

With my conspiracy hat on... here's how this transaction would be announced in the world of pro hockey:

"The Redmond Microsofts have traded CSO Howard Schmidt to the Washington Republicans for a 1st round draft pick in the 2002 draft and future considerations."