Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who has ended up on many media lists speculating about potential Supreme Court nominees,  says she is not looking for a new job.

At a news conference to introduce the new head of FEMA and talk about hurricane preparedness — the season starts June 1 — the former governor of Arizona was asked about the chatter that she may be a contender for the vacancy of retiring Justice David Souter.

“I have a job,” Napolitano said.

“And as you can tell from this press conference it’s a pretty big one,” she said to the reporters gathered in the FEMA press room. “I’m not looking for another job.”

Analysis — A fairly standard Washington response. Officials possibly being considered for other posts almost never want to divulge anything for fear of appearing eager, and always try to make sure they verbalize satisfaction with their current jobs.

In the parlor game of who will take Souter’s robe, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm’s visit to the White House for an announcement on emissions got tongues wagging about whether that was cover for a chat with President Barack Obama about the Supreme Court.

And the answer is… drum roll please…

We don’t know.

As usual with these guessing games, Washington works itself into a froth, and then the true candidate finally steps forward when the White House is ready to let the cat out of the bag.

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- Photo credit: Kevin Lamarque (Supreme Court justices listen to Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress)