Obama likes FBI Director Robert Mueller enough to bend the rules just for him. The president is asking Congress to propose legislation that would allow Mueller, who's been Director since 2001, to have his term extended two more years. Currently, the law doesn't allow service past ten years for the position.

The reason the president cited was "continuity," especially given the recent Gates-Panetta-Petraeus shuffle he announced weeks ago. "Given the ongoing threats facing the United States, as well as the leadership transitions at other agencies like the Defense Department and Central Intelligence Agency, I believe continuity and stability at the F.B.I. is critical at this time," read his statement.

The New York Times reckoned that Congress is likely to show "deference" to the president on this issue. And the Associated Press, despite noting that it was a "rare exemption," cited unnamed administration officials who are "confident that an exception will be made" for Mueller.

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Erik Hayden