SLAP IN THE FACE – AT 9:16 A.M. ET:  I have to say that this is one of the most intriguing political stories I've read this year.  From Fox: 

Former Defense official Michele Flournoy has taken herself out of the running to succeed Chuck Hagel as the next Defense Secretary because, according to a source, she wants to be Hillary Clinton’s Pentagon chief -- not President Obama’s.

YIKES A ROOTIE!  That is a real slap in the face.  What she's really saying is that she doesn't trust Field Marshal Obama on national defense.  Good for Michele.  Someone finally is saying it.  I like her already.

A source familiar with the circumstances of the decision confirmed to Fox News Tuesday that Flournoy has taken her name out of the running for the job. Flournoy had been discussed as a front-runner for the position after Hagel announced he was quitting Monday.

Fox News has learned that Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is now being considered to succeed Hagel. Before heading DHS, Johnson was General Counsel for the Department of Defense.

A wonderfully unimaginative choice.  Nothing wrong with Johnson, but not the giant we need at Defense right now.  The president should go large and bring in someone who has the confidence of the military, not another hanger-on.

Among the other names mentioned to replace Hagel are former high-ranking Defense official Ashton Carter and senior Rhode Island Democratic Sen. Jack Reed. However, multiple sources told Fox News that rumors that White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough is in the running are untrue and he is not in consideration.

A well-placed Senate source told Fox News Tuesday that Flournoy would not take the nomination if she was offered it because Flournoy aspires to serve in the post under Hillary Clinton, should Clinton eventually become president.

“It’s pretty well known that she wants to be Hillary’s SecDef – not Obama’s,” the source said.

COMMENT:  She's brash, and her stand may actually hurt Clinton, who is dropping in the polls and must keep on good terms with the Field Marshal. 

There'll be much buzz on this one.  The Dems are bailing on the man they worshiped as a godlike figure only a few years ago.

November 26,  2014