Politics

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Two possible successors to Mr. Panetta if he does step down are former Undersecretary of Defense Michele Flournoy (top) and Undersecretary Ashton B. Carter. Both held positions in the Clinton administration, and both hold positions like Mr. Panetta’s.

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President Barack Obama, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha arrive at the election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Joe McDonald is a basketball player at George Washington University. (George Washington University Athletics)

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James Dresch of MND Partners Inc. works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange the day after President Obama was re-elected, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

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President Obama pauses as he speaks to the cheering crowd at his election-night victory party at McCormick Place in Chicago on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Virginia Sen.-elect Tim Kaine speaks at a press conference at his campaign headquarters in Richmond, Va., on Nov. 7, 2012, the day after after winning the election. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), left, cheers on Tim Kaine (D), right, as he delivers his victory speech after winning the Virginia election for U.S. Senate at his election night party at the Richmond Marriott, Richmond, Va., Tuesday, November 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), left, Tim Kaine (D), right, and his wife Anne Holton, center, as they get word that President Barack Obama wins reelection during Kaine's victory speech after winning the Virginia election for U.S. Senate at his election night party at the Richmond Marriott, Richmond, Va., Tuesday, November 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Tim Kaine (D) arrives to a cheering audience at his election night party at the Richmond Marriott after winning the Virginia election for U.S. Senate, Richmond, Va., Tuesday, November 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), second from left, cheers on Tim Kaine (D) as he delivers his victory speech after winning the Virginia election for U.S. Senate at his election night party at the Richmond Marriott, Richmond, Va., Tuesday, November 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Tim Kaine (D) waves to a cheering audience at his election night party at the Richmond Marriott after winning the Virginia election for U.S. Senate, Richmond, Va., Tuesday, November 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Tim Kaine (D) arrives to a cheering audience at his election night party at the Richmond Marriott after winning the Virginia election for U.S. Senate, Richmond, Va., Tuesday, November 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Jill Ward of Richmond, Va., second from right, Nass Era [cq], second from left, visiting from Morocco, cheers as they watch returns on CNN at the Tim Kaine (D) for U.S. Senate election night party at the Richmond Marriott, Richmond, Va., Tuesday, November 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Democratic candidate for Senate Tim Kaine does a walk through to get a look at the room where his election night party will be held at the Richmond Marriott, Richmond, Va., Tuesday, November 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)