Barnes Leaving White House

President Obama’s domestic-policy adviser Melody Barnes will be departing the White House at the end of the year, she announced Thursday. The announcement came as a surprise to her colleagues and could be a crucial loss going into Obama’s reelection campaign. Barnes served as the top domestic-policy adviser to Obama’s 2008 campaign as well. In the White House, she worked on issues such as health care, education, immigration, and nutrition. In a statement, she said she will be working in the private sector as well as dedicating more time to her family.