Look for a relatively slow, rolling transition of President Obama’s Cabinet over the next year or so.
There are lots of movable chairs. Here’s what we’ve been hearing:
(Hektor Pustina/AP) - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is leaving her position as soon as she can.
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●Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says she’s leaving as soon as she can — if not on Inauguration Day, then not long after.
Possible replacements: The Democrats’ larger majority in the Senate probably enhanced the chances of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.), since his departure — and the possible subsequent return of now-defeated Sen. Scott Brown (R) — wouldn’t hurt the party as much. U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice’s star appears to have dimmed a bit after the uproar over Benghazi — though not in the Oval Office. She’s also a possible fit for national security adviser.
● Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner’s departure has sparked a frenzy of chatter about replacements, from White House chief of staff Jack Lew to former chief of staff Erskine Bowles and others. There’s been talk, however, that Obama would be much better served by looking for someone from the world of finance in this slot, someone like Suzanne Nora Johnson, former vice chairman of Goldman Sachs.
● Defense Secretary Leon Panetta looks to be leaving after the fiscal cliff gets sorted out and the budget is set, maybe sometime in the spring.
Those mentioned for his job include Deputy Secretary Ashton Carter, who has broad expertise in budget matters. And Michele Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy, who’s politically closer to Obama and has been on the campaign trail of late, may have the edge — if she’s interested.
●Attorney General Eric Holder is said to be on his way out. The only question is whether sooner (before summer) or later, toward the end of the year or maybe as late as 2014?
● Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is looking to replace Holder, but obviously that wouldn’t be for a while.
A number of Cabinet members have indicated that they wouldn’t mind staying, if the president wants. That group includes Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan. Health and Human Service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is likely to stay on to implement Obamacare. We’re hearing that Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki are also likely to stay.
Others, despite some pressure from household members to leave and earn an honest living, may stay on for a bit longer. That group includes Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood — an Obama favorite and the only Republican in the Cabinet — and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack had been on the “stay” list if his wife won her race for a House seat in Iowa. But her defeat Tuesday may make his tenure less long-term than thought.
Those said to be most likely to leave soon include Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson. Former senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) or perhaps outgoing Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) might be on the list for Energy. (Though we’re hearing the latter is enjoying the pace in Santa Fe these days.) Ernie Moniz, MIT’s director of energy initiatives and an Obama energy adviser, might also be considered.
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