CR Editorial note: While Bill Daley might be something a bit less than a Centrist Democrat, we wonder if this sudden resignation had anything to do with Daley's not wishing to, in any way, be associated with Obama's culpable negligence, if not disdain, of the US Constitution regarding Obama's recent and unlawful recess appointments.

Obama has, in fact, outwardly defied the rules in place, and the US Constitution, while the media has remained largely silent, if not ignoring and, therefore complicit, on the entire matter.

Some others have implied that the problem might lie with Daley and the "in-house lavish vacationer"--Michelle Obama. However, it has been our experience, in observing  powerful men such as Daley, that Michelle Obama would constitute something less than a lone cockroach in the foyer for Daley to actually have any true concerns about, such is the make-up of these types of Alpha male men. Remember also, Daley's name was not made in being the White House Chief of Staff by any means, but rather Daley has an impressive resume' that could even cast a smirk at the position he has decided to suddenly exit from at the White House.

I expect the portent of this lies on the direction of profound disagreement and perhaps even unresolvable problems for Obama in the near and present future, as Daley might see it.

In other words, Daley throws down the gauntlet expecting Obama to live up to the ideals of his office and retract a niggling issue that may only become worse, Obama haughtily refuses, and Daley then resigns in abject disgust, would be my best guess.

But, what were those exact issues, and are we expected to believe the rationale of the story as printed below? I somehow doubt it~BLS

 ____________________________________________________________________

The Wall Street Journal / By LAURA MECKLER And CAROL E. LEE

WASHINGTON—White House Chief of Staff William M. Daley has resigned his post just a year into his tenure and will be succeeded by budget director Jack Lew, senior administration officials said Monday.

President Barack Obama will make the announcement at the White House Monday. The change will be official at the end of the month, giving Mr. Lew time to wrap up details on the president's budget proposal, due out next month.

Mr. Daley offered his resignation to the president in an Oval Office meeting last Tuesday. The president asked him to think about it, and Mr. Daley made his final decision the next day. His letter said the time had come for him to return to Chicago. Mr. Daley recommended Mr. Lew for the job. A senior administration official said Mr. Obama "was surprised by Daley's decision."

Mr. Daley had an uneasy tenure since Mr. Obama named him chief of staff in January. A former banking executive, he was brought in to help repair the White House's relationship with business and broker deals with Republicans. But he clashed with some White House staffers. His efforts to cut fiscal agreements with GOP leaders were unsuccessful, and, at times, his missteps embarrassed the White House.

In November, Mr. Daley announced in a senior staff meeting that he had ceded part of his White House duties to Pete Rouse, a longtime aide to Mr. Obama who served as interim chief of staff before Mr. Daley arrived.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal at the time, Mr. Daley said the shift in his role was in response to a bitter summer fight between the White House and congressional Republicans over raising the debt ceiling. "The president challenged us all to pick up our game after the summer, and I think we're all trying to do that," he said.

But Mr. Daley's role was left undefined beyond that he was tasked with managing relations with influential outsiders, and he appeared unable to regain his footing.

Mr. Lew, known for his low-key style, is now in his second tour as budget director, having served in the same post under President Bill Clinton. He served as a deputy secretary of state at the start of the Obama administration before moving back to the White House. Earlier in his career, he worked on Capitol Hill as a top aide to House Speaker Tip O'Neill.

Write to Laura Meckler at laura.meckler@wsj.com and Carol E. Lee at carol.lee@wsj.com

Latest Headlines

• Revitalized Detroit Makes Bets on New Models

• Economists Set Rules on Ethics

• IRA History Project Snags U.S. School