US President Bill Clinton (L) stands with his chie [Getty Images]

WASHINGTON, : US President Bill Clinton (L) stands with his chief of staff Erskine Bowles (R) 05 October during a press conference at the White House in Washington, DC. The White House announced earlier 05 October that Bowles will be leaving his position when the Congress goes into recess in a few days. Deputy chief of staff John Podesta is seen as the leading candidate to succeed Bowles, who is returning to North Carolina to possibly run for governor in 2000. AFP PHOTO /Joyce NALTCHAYAN (Photo credit should read JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP JOYCE NALTCHAYAN