© Michael Reynolds/European Pressphoto Agency Kathleen Sebelius, the health and human services secretary, before a Senate hearing Thursday
Kathleen Sebelius, the health and human services secretary, is resigning, ending a stormy five-year tenure marred by the disastrous rollout of President Obama's signature legislative achievement, the Affordable Care Act.
Mr. Obama accepted Ms. Sebelius's resignation this week, and on Friday morning, he will nominate Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, to replace her, officials said.
The departure comes as the Obama administration tries to move beyond its early stumbles in carrying out the law, convince a still-skeptical public of its lasting benefits, and help Democratic incumbents, who face blistering attack ads after supporting the legislation, survive the midterm elections this fall.
Officials said Ms. Sebelius, 65, made the decision to resign and was not forced out. But the frustration at the White House over her performance had become increasingly clear, as administration aides worried that the crippling problems at HealthCare.gov, the website set up to enroll Americans in insurance exchanges, would result in lasting damage to the president's legacy.
Comment: It's typical of psychopaths to blame others for what they themselves are guilty. In this case, it just happens to reek of a childish "I know you are but what am I?" brand of diplomacy. And the public can see that, which is why Putin has become so popular, at home and abroad, despite the facile attempts to paint him as the new Hitler. Putin says it like it is, and he's a canny leader, and the people appreciate these qualities. No wonder, since they're entirely lacking in the vast majority of the political psychopaths in charge in the West...