Griffin: No Plans Beyond Next Tuesday

This just in from Eun Kim in Washington:

WASHINGTON - Michael Griffin says he has no immediate plans beyond next Tuesday, when his resignation as NASA administrator takes effect.

"I will go home and start looking for another job. I have no existing plans," Griffin told reporters Tuesday at a Space Foundation breakfast meeting.

All political appointees were asked in December to submit their resignation, effective Jan. 20, the day President-elect Obama will be sworn in.

Griffin said he plans to be on vacation that day, although he will be in communication with the agency's headquarters. He said NASA Associate Administrator Chris Scolese, the highest ranking civil servant, will assume daily operations once Griffin leaves.

Griffin would not comment on discussions he or his staff members have had with the Obama administration's transition team. Asked whether he would have liked to continue his role, he said it would be an honor to be asked.

"I would enjoy doing so, but people in my position serve at the pleasure of the president. It's the president's prerogative to appoint his person," he said. "If he determines that I'm his person, that's just fine, but it's not something I expect."

Check out video of Griffin's remarks here.

IMAGE NOTE: In this March 26, 2008, file photo, NASA administrator Michael Griffin speaks to reporters at a news conference after space shuttle Endeavour landed at Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: AP Photo/John Raoux.