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Who's who in president's inner circle
Joe Murphy, Political Editor20 Jan 2009
Barack Obama has a tight circle of long-standing friends from Chicago politics at the heart of the White House. He has also called in some veterans from the Clinton era.
Rahm Emanuel, chief-of-staff
Served over six years at the White House for Bill Clinton and knows exactly how the levers work. Spent four years in Congress so knows the Hill too. Nicknamed "Rahm-bo".
David Axelrod, senior adviser
Guru of the election campaign will advise on political strategy. Former journalist has known Mr Obama since 1993.
Robert Gibbs, Press secretary
Will front White House press briefings. Has worked for Mr Obama for five years as communications adviser and has a good rapport with reporters.
Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education
New president's long-standing basketball buddy (who once played pro). Ran Chicago's schools.
Valerie Jarrett, adviser
Will assist on intergovernmental relations and public liaison. Met Mr Obama when she headhunted wife Michelle for a job in the Chicago mayor's office.
Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State
The former First Lady takes the most powerful Cabinet post. Her high profile is likely to be an asset in international negotiations.
John Podesta, transition chief
Overseeing the setting up of the new administration. Was White House chief-of-staff under Bill Clinton.
Larry Summers, Director of National Economic Council
Former Treasury Secretary under Clinton, he will oversee fiscal strategy during the battle against recession.
Susan Rice, UN Ambassador
A Rhodes Scholar who is an expert on poverty issues and international threats. In the Clinton administration she covered peacekeeping and Africa.
Leon Panetta, CIA director
Former Congressman and chief-of-staff for Bill Clinton.
Eric Holder, Attorney General
First black attorney general, and legal adviser on the presidential campaign.
Jon Favreau, speechwriter
Today's speech was honed by 27-year-old Mr Obama calls "my mind-reader".
James L Jones, National security Adviser
A four-star US Marine Corps general who retired in 2007, he is a pragmatist who is seen as free of party political baggage.
Timothy Geithner, Secretary of Treasury
Served five years as president of the Fed and was a key force in handling the economic crisis.
Robert Gates, Secretary of Defence
A symbol of Mr Obama's wish to be bipartisan, Gates has been doing the same job for George W Bush.
