(Not hinting as to where she'll end up. No siree.) AP via Yahoo:

Fran Townsend, the leading White House-based terrorism adviser who gave public updates on the extent of the threat to U.S. security, is stepping down after 4 1/2 years.

President Bush said in a statement Monday morning that Townsend, 45, "has ably guided the Homeland Security Council. She has played an integral role in the formation of the key strategies and policies my administration has used to combat terror and protect Americans."

In her resignation to Bush, Townsend indicating she was returning to the private sector, saying in a handwritten letter, "As you know, it is with a profound sense of gratitude that I have decided to take a respite from public service." Read on...

One has to wonder, is she going broke like former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow? Or is Townsend simply following other Bush administration officials like Turdblossom and Dan Bartlett, who saw the writing on the wall and figured they'd get while the getting is good?