Top candidate for Hagel replacement bows out
washington » Michele Flournoy, a top contender to replace Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, has taken herself out of consideration for the Pentagon’s top job, people familiar with the process said Tuesday.
Flournoy’swithdrawal underscores the difficultyPresident Barack Obama may face in finding a candidate to take the helm at the Pentagon late in his second term and as the administration faces intense criticism of its management of crises in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Other candidates being considered, according to people close to the process:
• Jeh Johnson, the Home- land Security secretary who previously served as the Pentagon’s general counsel. Johnson is highly regarded by the West Wing, particularly following the monthslong process he oversaw to identify the immigration executive actions announced lastweek.
• Ashton Carter, a former deputy defense secretary.
• Robert Work, the No. 2 official at the Pentagon.
Given Republicans’ staunch opposition to the immigration actions, Obama could risk turning Johnson’s confirmation hearing into a fierce debate. The president also would need to fill the top job atHomeland Security again just as the department is implementing the immigration actions.
Flournoy, who also was considered for the top Pentagon job in 2012, would have been the first woman to become defense secretary.
A person close to Flournoy said she had concerns about whether she would be givenmore latitude than Hagel in policy making. Pentagon officials have long griped about White House micromanagement, and Hagel was largely seen as someone who would acquiesce to theWestWing.
The White House would not comment on Obama’s decision-making process.
“The president is considering a number ofwell qualified candidates. However, I don’t have any personnel announcements at this time,” National Security Council spokeswoman BernadetteMeehan said.