Obama Is Set to Shuffle His Staff - Gates is out?

[ChiTownVenture]

WASHINGTON — President Obama is planning the first major reorganization of his administration, preparing to shuffle several positions in the West Wing as he tries to fortify his political team for the realities of divided government and his own re-election.

The president is studying how to maximize the power of the executive branch, advisers said, seeking insight from veterans of previous administrations and fresh advice from business leaders to guide the second half of his term.

He is reviewing the restructuring plan during the holidays, aides said, and intends to make the first announcements in the opening days of January.

The White House is hiring more lawyers to handle oversight investigations from the new Congress, even as the president sets up a re-election headquarters in Chicago and considers ways to streamline operations inside the West Wing.

At the final cabinet meeting of the year, on Dec. 8, the president renewed his request that if any members intended to step down, they needed to signal their intentions. White House officials said they believed that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is the only cabinet member who definitely plans to leave next year, although one other departure is possible.

www.nytimes.com/2010/12/24/us/politics/24obama.html?_r=2&hp

[ChiTownVenture]

Also in case anyone was wondering

Elections board sides with Emanuel, clears path for Chicago mayoral bid

CHICAGO — Rahm Emanuel forged ahead with his campaign for Chicago mayor yesterday after an elections panel ruled his name can appear on the Feb. 22 ballot, rejecting arguments the former White House chief of staff forfeited his city residency when he went to work for President Obama in Washington.

The decision of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners removed a major obstacle to Emanuel’s ambitions to replace retiring Mayor Richard M. Daley. Emanuel said it allowed him to “turn the page’’ and focus on issues more important to voters.

www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/12/24/elections_board_sides_with_emanuel_clears_path_for_chicago_mayoral_bid/

[deziloooooo]

Secretary Gates has been wanting to leave, not because of disagreements with Obama , though I am sure there were some, but because he has had it, long enough with Bush and then staying with Obama for two years..these jobs are draining, terribly so, and even if one doesn't agree with all their decision , do couples allways agree on everything, a true "thank you for your service " is the least we the populace can extend toward them, IMO, no matter the political party they represent.[Ok then there was McNamara..but over all...]

[vl]

We haven't seen President Obama reach out into America for ANY experience worth having. A bunch of college-types won't resolve our economic issues and law biz has to go.