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White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has said publicly he probably
won't stay in his position for much longer than two years. Who might
replace him? It's irresponsible to speculate, perhaps, but it's fun.
It's not irresponsible to print the results of an off-the-record
canvass of senior White House officials and Democrats close to the
White House. President Obama may not have begun to think about this,
so even this canvass ought not be taken with anything other than a
grain of salt. Here are two potential candidates: Former Sen. Tom
Daschle -- he remains in solid standing with the President, who
believes that Daschle was treated unfairly when his nomination to the
cabinet was nixed. Still, current and former "advisor" clients could
be trouble.Ron Klain -- Vice President Biden's Chief of Staff has a
much larger portfolio than his title would indicate, and has managed
to restore honor to a position sullied by previous occupants. Still,
no VP CoS has ever ascended to the POTUS position, and two years in
the job has marked Klain as Biden's Guy. Sen. Dick Durbin, if he
wants the job, would probably get it.

Tom Donilon, the troubleshooter and daily manager of events on the
National Security Staff. He's widely liked, inside and outside the 18
Acres. Then Phil Schiliro, the current chief liaison to Congress. A
former Congressional chief of staff, he knows how to work with House
and Senate Democrats -- and maybe Republicans. The President really
trusts both of these men. ... Who else: Chris Dodd, Janet Napolitano
and Tom Vilsack.

Eric D. Schwerin
[email protected]

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