Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary and one of the most visible and forceful advocates for President Barack Obama, is quitting his job to become an outside political adviser, AP reported. The change is among the many expected in the coming days as Obama redefines his leadership team to get ready for a re-election bid and a more powerful opposition Republican Party. Gibbs said he would be leaving the White House by early February. The top contenders to replace him are two of his deputies, Bill Burton, Josh Earnest, and Jay Carney, who is the press secretary to Vice President Joe Biden. The move allows Gibbs to leave the grinding pace of the press secretary's job, make money giving speeches and spend more time with his family. But it also will change the dynamic of the White House, particularly combined with the coming departure of senior adviser David Axelrod, who, like Gibbs, has been at Obama's side for his entire presidential run. -- SPA
