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Who's in and who's out at the White House?

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    Major Cabinet changes expected in Obama's second term

  • Duration 6:13
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The attorney general Eric Koehler says he has goals for the president's second term but says he doesn't know if he'll still have the job.

He talked about it today at a law school audience.

There are things that I still want to do what have.

Let's -- -- you know gas left it in.

It's been an interesting -- tough for years.

So I would actually don't know I don't know at this point.

Of course there's -- there are often a lot of cabinet changes when -- president wins reelection.

And the Obama administration is shaping up to be no exception secretary of state Hillary Clinton has already -- she plans to retire from that position.

The Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has said he does not plan to be around for second term saying those -- the secretary of defense Leon Panetta.

Now we're getting much better idea of which other officials might step down and who might replace them.

Shannon Bream with the news live in Washington there's a lot of chatter out there what do we know.

Well on the secretary of state front -- we do know last confirmed by State Department spokeswoman yesterday Secretary Clinton does intend to -- UN ambassador Susan Rice has been -- -- top pick though they're being questioned.

About whether her public role in the wake of the deadly Ben -- attacks would impact her chances to assume that position.

Senator John Kerry also who chairs the senate committee on foreign relations is considered a contender.

And although that would leave an open senate seat for the Democrats that may not be a deal breaker.

Now in their favor this election they they had a little elbow room by the number of seats that they -- one and many thought they would.

Have that two vote -- with two independence -- vote majority so maybe the president is willing.

Might be willing to take a chance on that seat although last time that was left open by the death of Ted Kennedy of course it went to a Republican Scott Brown who was defeated on Tuesday.

If you look back historically over two term presidency since world or -- it's been exceptionally rare for any cabinet secretary to stick around for all eight -- shaft.

It really has been some urgent economic matters out there what kind of effect is that gonna have on the shuffle.

Well they're certainly feeling here in Washington a Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner would prefer to leave sooner rather than later.

But with issues about expiring tax cuts and sequestration looming he is likely to stick around.

Because he's invested in negotiations and discussions that have been going on for months and he's not the only one.

That would be true to.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

He has fought hard against sequestration.

Because he didn't want to see the types of cuts.

That -- frustration called for for the Defense Department and he's going to see bathroom.

By the -- Panetta does have the most grueling and most expensive can you going back and forth between California and Washington.

The Pentagon spokesman said today that he is focused on the job in front -- and on the country not his personal future.

-- Shannon Bream live in Washington Shannon thank you let's bring in Bob Cusack now managing editor for the hill newspaper and in our capital -- newsroom Bob good to see you.

Except -- good thanks for the State Department who makes more -- here at Susan Rice or maybe carrier what do you think it in.

I think John Kerry makes more sense after rice went on the Sunday shows and made those claims that.

About being Ghazi very controversial claims Republica I think it -- her confirmation process would be difficult I think another name it.

That might pop up is that congressman -- -- Who is that in the top Democrat on the foreign affairs we he'd just lost his reelection race to it to congressman Brad -- another Democrat widely respected.

On both sides of the aisle and actually was endorsed in his race by Republicans like John McCain so that would be an easy confirmation process obviously.

Kerry you'd have to repeal and replace him and then maybe Scott Brown runs -- to see.

But but I think cat carrier Berman now would be would be Celtics.

Let let's go to the Federal Reserve -- hear about Lawrence Summers what -- your thinking.

Former Clinton Treasury Secretary he was clearly interested in it before.

Bernanke was set tap that -- second term by present Obama.

I I think he got elected Janet Yellen she would be she's a vice chair of the S Central Bank now and she would be the first woman.

To head the bank so I think she is probably the favorite in this parlor game that we -- black.

Yeah I would think with a focus on women in the election that would.

That would make sense and a bunch of different fronts what about the Defense Department would Leon Panetta saying that's it.

Yeah I think I think -- Panetta will stay for a little bit and deal with this sequestration.

Problem until that is solved so then you got to look at Ashton Carter who is at Panetta's deputy.

And you also have to look at Michelle Portnoy who was that in the highest ranking.

Member -- the Defense Department she of course would be that the first left female Defense Secretary I think those are the two leading contenders all right -- treasury.

Tim Geithner -- he's been a controversial figure what's the thinking on treasury.

Well either you have Jack -- who's now at the White House Saatchi the staff former Clinton administration official.

It is widely respected knows policy.

Inside and out -- outside the box.

Treasury Secretary nominee would be Erskine Bowles and -- member.

Bowles and Simpson put together that plan but that was rejected.

By President Obama and -- -- -- -- that would be warming back to that proposal at a time when there is.

You know at some point hopefully going to be some type of grand bargain on a bipartisan basis that did finally there's the matter of Eric Holder justice.

You know it does is.

-- comments today I don't think he's going to be in the job for for that long and then you -- look at Department of Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano.

Also governor Patrick -- in Massachusetts.

Those are those are two names come up kind of floating right now the Deval Patrick is it is that have there been any indication that he's shown interest there.

Not yet but you know a lot of people when it when Obama came -- A lot of people on the attorney general spot had -- -- a -- if holder had a chance to do it again if he do it has been so controversial that house is charged him with content.

I think he's tired but when you have a chance to be attorney general usually -- -- They sure put him through the ringer.

All right great to see you thanks a lot except all right well.