Top intel chiefs expect to be out soon

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The top two U.S. intelligence officers are prepared to be replaced by President-elect Barack Obama soon after he takes office, intelligence officials said.

Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell and CIA Director Michael Hayden are interpreting the lack of contact between them and the Obama transition team as a signal they won't be kept on, intelligence officials told The Washington Post.

Obama transition officials said they have not reached a decision concerning intelligence appointments.

Officials said McConnell and Hayden want to remain in their posts, although neither has said so publicly, the Post said Wednesday.

However, they have said they think Obama is "going to have his hands full dealing with what has become a full-blown economic crisis, so he may want to keep some steady, experienced hands at the helm in the national security arena, at least for a while," a Bush administration official said.

The intelligence director and the CIA head are open-ended appointments.