The president’s key men and women wait for call to office

Likely to be announced in the next few days is his chief of staff at the White House. The clear frontrunner is Illinois congressman Rahm Emanuel, a close friend and ally from Chicago as well as a highly partisan figure — he was the model for the West Wing's fictional deputy chief of staff Josh Lyman.

If he declines, alternatives include Tom Daschle, the former Senate majority leader and former commerce secretary William Daley.

Mr Obama's hint that he will include Republicans will fuel speculation that defence secretary Robert Gates may be asked to stay on to plan a swift withdrawal from Iraq.

Another Republican name being discussed is retiring senator Chuck Hagel who is seen as a possible ambassador to the United Nations.

Like Gordon Brown, Mr Obama may also recruit businessmen to serve in key positions focusing on the economic crisis. Other names at the centre of speculation are New York City schools chancellor Joel Klein, a possible education secretary, and retired Marine Corps commandant Jim Jones, tipped as national security adviser. Neither have strong party political ties.

Mr Obama, who was a junior senator, is being advised on the make-up of his cabinet by John Podesta, who was Bill Clinton's chief of staff.
A "transition team" of Obama aides and veterans of the Clinton years has already been quietly meeting Bush staffers in Washington to work out details of the handover and keep a wary eye on decisions taken in the dying days of the current administration. Former treasury secretary Lawrence Summers, 53, a respected economist, could return in that role — although his strong pro-free trade views could clash with Mr Obama's pledge to curb imports.

The Democrat's campaign manager David Plouffe is considering taking a break from politics, but a senior job would be his if he wished. Chief strategist David Axelrod is another aide that the president-elect wants to keep close.

Two failed presidential candidates could also be given roles. Al Gore, who lost in 2000, is tipped for an environmental ambassador role after his highly praised campaign on global warming. John Kerry who lost in 2004 is a possible secretary of state.

Other possible members of Mr Obama's Cabinet include Tim Geithner, 47, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, who is seen as a head of the US Treasury; former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, 81, who was Mr Obama's economics adviser; Bill Richardson, 60, the New Mexico governor is tipped as a possible secretary of state; and Kathleen Sebelius, 60, the Kansas governor could become energy or education secretary.