Possible White House and Administration Shake-ups

[PopSixSquish]

While everyone is all twitterpated over Rahm's presumed departure, it's helpful to think about who else may be leaving or getting a different job after the mid-terms.

Pete Rouse, who was Obama's COS in the Senate, will more than likely be only an interim fit. Don't be surprised to see Tom Daschle's name thrown back into the mix, his earlier tax problems not withstanding. Rouse was Daschle's COS before he was Obama's.

Axe will leave in the spring to co-ordinate the President's re-election campaign and it's thought that Jim Messina, Deputy COS will go to the campaign as well. Bill Burton will more than likely take over for Robert Gibbs (I'll miss Gibbsy's snazzy ties) who will be promoted to Senior Advisor. Same position as Valerie Jarrett who will stay.

NSA Jim Jones is gone too but not until early next year, probably replaced by Deputy NSA Thomas Donilon. Larry Summers is going and twenty bucks says that Geithner goes soon after.

But I wouldn't count on too many outsiders brought in (Summer's replacement being the exception), the President has shown a tendency to promote from within. A bump up on the org chart as it were.

It will be interesting to see how this does shake out and how long it takes before Rouse becomes the devil's handmaiden #2...

[JaneQPublic]

1. Any thoughts on who will replace Gates when he leaves Defense?

I don't suppose Wes Clark has a ghost of a chance.

[zipplewrath]

3. Not a Ghost

I'm afraid in the end it's going to be another Bush confidant. About the only person who will sign on to the current strategy. Anyone else would be screaming, GET OUT NOW.

[PopSixSquish]

4. In a Different Time Maybe

but not while we're still trying to get the fuck out of Afghanistan. Clark would have a very steep, very quick learning curve rather than someone who has been there while this is going on.

He would have a better chance in the 2nd Obama Administration I think...

[saracat]

2. Who cares? Same old , same old.Just recycled suits. "Change" is too

much to expect.The only reason Rahm is going is because they need another "public face" on policy but the policy will remain the same.