Intelligence officials say Deutch believes it is in the best interest of the CIA not to have a "lame duck" in office while Lake is undergoing Senate confirmation.

CNN: Other Appointments

Someone in my office would manually send out a confirmation e-mail.

FORBES: Quicker, Better, Wiser

The Kerry confirmation process offers an opportunity to examine both the nominee's fitness to serve in high office and the security policies President Obama and he will be pursuing, all other things being equal.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Hold John Kerry accountable

Obama is the first President in history to have voted against the confirmation of the Chief Justice who later administered his oath of office.

NEWYORKER: No More Mr. Nice Guy

For her part, Sotomayor spent recent weeks in a tiny, plain office in the Eisenhower Office Building next door to the West Wing of the White House to prepare for the confirmation hearing.

CNN: Sotomayor's confirmation hearing starts Monday