Obama to name CIA chief Panetta to Defense Secretary

12:28 PM Wed, Apr 27, 2011 | Permalink
News staff Email
By John E. Mulligan
Journal Washington bureau

WASHINGTON -- With news reports forecasting the nomination of Leon Panetta, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, to replace Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a chapter may be about to close on the lively history of Rhode Islanders mentioned for the post.

For the record, Democrat Jack Reed remains determined to continue serving as the senior senator from Rhode Island, his spokesman, Chip Unruh said Wednesday.

That has been Reed's position whenever news accounts mentioned him as a prospective defense secretary -- a persistent line of speculation since Gates made clear that he would not serve for the entirety of President Obama's term.

In fact, that was Reed's position during an earlier round of mentions: when speculation had him as a potential running mate for presidential candidate Obama in 2008.

According to news reports, Pesident Obama is nominate Panetta to the post this week and will also nominate Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American commander in Afghanistan, as director of the C.I.A.