PRESIDENT APPOINTS WHITE HOUSE STAFF SECRETARY AS GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE N.S.A. A reader who asks anonymity writes: “The last two in that position were career professionals. Imagine if Bush had done this … but nobody has even picked up this story.”

UPDATE: Oops, my mistake — I misread that. The former student is the one who’s replacing him at the White House, not the one who’s going to the NSA. Thanks to several readers who noted the error. The NSA appointment still seems unusual, though.