By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius appears poised to skip out of the job she was elected to do in Kansas. If that happens, she won't be around to deal with Kansas' huge and looming budget challenges in 2009.

Sebelius, who has two years left as governor, could be headed for Washington and a position with Barack Obama's administration.

Sebelius was an early supporter of Obama and gained national attention for reportedly being one of his vice presidential candidates-in-waiting.

But the potential that Obama would select her for vice president was always low. On the national stage, Sebelius was a little-known Democrat from a small, GOP-controlled state.

Now that Obama is president-elect, Sebelius' name is being mentioned for all kinds of Cabinet seats as a political reward for her support.

If Sebelius leaves Kansas, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson would be a fine replacement. He's a skilled politician and a former Republican. While his party switch annoys the GOP, he knows the players in that party and could work out a good, bipartisan budget.

National media have speculated that Sebelius could be named head of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Department or the Education Department.

The environmental job would make sense; Sebelius' main claim to fame in recent years was her correct decision to oppose expansion of a coal power plant in western Kansas.

Let's hope Obama makes up his mind quickly on the future of Sebelius. Kansas' budget woes will need the full attention of the governor in 2009 -- whether that's still Sebelius or Parkinson.

GOP Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt got in a sharp jab in The Star on Friday.

Speaking of Sebelius, he said, "She may want to get the heck out of Dodge."