LAST LOOK
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, his wife, Sylvia, and their dog, Bravo, walk through crowds of cheering Defense Department workers and military members on the secretary's last day at the Pentagon, Feb. 14, 2013. Panetta is stepping down as the 23rd defense secretary. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
Successor In Limbo, Defense Chief Pines For Pentagon Exit -- Reuters
(Reuters) - With his successor's fate unclear, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta publicly pined for retirement on Thursday, saying he was packed up and ready to take his wife, Sylvia, home for Valentine's Day and "get the hell out of here."
But the man nominated to replace the 74-year-old Panetta, former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, faces stiff opposition from Senate Republicans who are threatening to hold up his confirmation vote - potentially delaying Panetta's retirement plans.
Panetta, longing to return to his California walnut farm after four years as Pentagon chief and CIA director, has repeatedly said goodbye to Pentagon and Washington officials in recent days, something he hoped he was doing once and for all at a ceremony on Thursday.
Still, he couldn't be sure.
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Update #1: Pentagon chief wants 'to get the hell out of town' -- Global Post/AFP
Update #2: Panetta: Being allowed to retire from Pentagon job would be a great Valentine’s Day present -- Washington Post/AP
My Comment: Leon Panetta has already indicated that he will stay until Chuck Hagel is nominated .... but with his successor's nomination now in doubt (or at least delayed) .... he may find himself staying in Washington longer than what he had expected.