According to a National Journal report, Christina Romer, chairwoman of Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers, is planning to resign. The source says that the former University of California at Berkeley professor is “frustrated” with her role on the administration’s economics team. According to the source: “She doesn’t feel that she has a direct line to the president. She would be giving different advice than [National Economic Council director] Larry Summers who does have a direct line to the president She is ostensibly the chief economic adviser, but she doesn’t seem to be playing that role.” [National Journal via Daily Beast]
Update: The White House has confirmed the report, stating that Romer will be returning to California where she will resume teaching at Berkeley and “where her son will be starting high school in the fall.” The president said in a statement: “Christy Romer has provided extraordinary service to me and our country during a time of economic crisis and recovery. The challenges we faced demanded more of Christy than any of her predecessors, and I greatly valued and appreciated her skill, commitment and wise counsel.”
