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The president’s key men and women wait for call to office
Joe Murphy and Kiran Randhawa05.11.08
BARACK OBAMA lost no time today in planning the key appointments that will shape his presidency.
Although he does not take office for 76 days, he is keen to start naming his team so they will have time to learn their new jobs.
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.
Reader views (8)
I hope the president elect hires management people who will become role models for not only his staff but also for his many followers.
- Patrick Tyson, Cheasapeake va
I think this is going to be a very memorable Term I met Joe Biden Yesterday Nice man I believe that this is going to be a new age for American Patriotism.
- Benjamin Barnes, Zanesville Ohio United States
The problem with choosing the cabinet goes back to the old argument of experience. It would be wonderful to see some new faces but, hello? Where are these faces? I don't see any, for some reason there is no "young blood" making waves in the political world. Oh well, alas - until I make my debut after I finish my graduate degree.
- Kp, South Florida
There isnt much information provided on women who will serve on Baracks cabinet.So far I do not see much diversity here.
- Ebby, washington dc
Rumors floating, Secretary of Defense - Dennis Rodman, Head ATF-Snoop Dog, Secretary of the Grill - George Foreman.......
- Jon, Saramento, Ca
The man has a lot of arduous tasks waiting for him in the next few years such as dealing with the wars, restoring the US standing as a superpower and mending its relationship with other countries but most of all taking care of one of the worst financial crisis that the US has had since the Great Depression.So there is no need to be too emotional about that because it is a challenging time and what America needs right now is solid, collect, astute traits in a leader for the travail ahead is tremendously tough. By the way, i am celebrating my birthday today and it is such an honor that it coincide with the celebration of the first ever elected African American president of the United States.Best day ever!
- Sophonie Juste, Massachusetts, USA
Change= more of the same. What's different about these proposed cabinet officers? They're neocon lite, Clinton retreads. Soft fascism. Give me a break. And what's with the torchlit speech last night? The guy creeps me out with his almost complete lack of emotion. Americans are in for a rude surprise with Obama. He's not Roosevelt. He's Nixon.
- Harris, Philadelphia, PA
Chuck Hagel would be an excellent UN Secreta-
ry, However Obama could ad to the UN-team the
Lawyer Caroline Kennedy,daughter of Jack Kennedy. who would represent the US in the UN
in certain cases.Her appearence and addresses
would do the US immensely good as she will represent the US in a completely different light.She will be a complete different US-representative than James Bolton of George Bush
- Edward Hoekstra, Willemstad, The Netherland-antilles
