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>I figured "resignation" was a polite way of saying "you're fired". Of course, my political knowledge is strictly based on The West Wing <g>.

At least some cases, that appears to be true. According to my morning paper, the Agriculture Secretary who resigned yesterday last week said she wanted to stay.

FWIW, I have a vague memory that the usual protocol is that all cabinet members offer their resignations when the president is re-elected, and he choices which to accept.

Tamar