BREAKING NEWS: Obama Is Expected to Name Panetta Defense Secretary, Reed to Stay in Senate

BREAKING NEWS: Obama Is Expected to Name Panetta Defense Secretary, Reed to Stay in Senate

According to the New York Times, President Obama will end the speculation about who will succeed Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense and name Leon Panetta. US Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) has been rumored both in Washington and in Rhode Island as a leading candidate. Reed is a leading defense expert in Congress and a key allie to the President.

Panetta is presently CIA director and is a former democratic Congressman and served as White House Chief of Staff under President Bill Clinton.

This is good news for Rhode Island as Senator Reed plays a key role in the federal appropriations process - a benefit to procuring funding for Rhode Island.

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