Today's news that Jane Harman, blue dog from California, retiring is welcome news to those who have wanted to replace her and she is likely to become the next President and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson center, a think tank run by Obama friend, Lee Hamilton. Jane Harman Retiring
However, there may be more to her retiring than meets the eye. (That was a stupid cliche, sorry).
As many know, Bob Gates is retiring from the Department of Defense job, sometime in early July. I'm assuming he's waiting until the budget passes before he announces, as that would make him look weak in the eyes of contractors.
That would leave the Secretary of Defense job wide open to someone. There's been a couple of names that have been batted around. I, myself have mentioned Michele Flournoy, currently undersecretary of policy at the DOD as a replacement choice for Gates.
But another name has recently popped upon on the list, and that's Leon Panetta, the current CIA director. Panetta is a Democrat, through and through. Leon Panetta Wikipedia page
But more important than being a Democrat, was that he was an OMB director and he is a true budget cutter. Gates, for all of his efforts, begun the process of cutting the budget. With the troops coming out of Iraq by the end of the year and withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan beginning in July, it would be best to have someone who knows how to cut a budget. Leon Panetta would be a great person to have as Secretary of Defense.
But, the question now becomes, why does Harman retiring from her seat make this transition more likely? Well Harman was mentioned very early on as a possible CIA director. Harman mentioned as possible CIA Director
Should Panetta leave, Obama's going to want to make a quick person to have as CIA Director. To ensure swift confirmation, he's going to want someone with bipartisan support and making history would be nice too (as first woman CIA Director). He would likely pick Jane Harman to replace Leon Panetta. Having outside experience at the bipartisan Woodrow Wilson center wouldn't hurt her, in fact, being tied to Lee Hamilton would probably bolster her ties to the administration.
Steve Clemons wrote an interesting article about Jane Harman today on his blog and why he was sad for her leaving. Without commenting one way or the other on whether she would be a good choice for Director, I think the article is well worth reading. Steve Clemons on Jane Harman
This is all conjecture, I just thought the connection was interesting, and I'm curious what y'all have to say.