The Obama White House examined

November 6, 8:09 AMCongress ExaminerIgor Derysh

Previous Next

3 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Congress Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Rahm Emanuel

As the Bush administration prepares to clear their desks, the Obama transition teams begins to examine the major candidates for key positions in the cabinet and the west wing. Most of the candidates are former Clinton people. He are the candidates that the Obama team is looking at to fill certain spots:

Chief of Staff:

Rahm Emanuel is a congressman representing Illinois' 5th district. He served as chair of the DCCC throughout the 2006 midterm elections when the Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives and is currently the fourth-highest ranking member of the House of Representatives. Many credit Emanuel with uniting the Democratic party after Obama defeated Hillary Clinton in the primaries.

Emanuel served as a senior advisor to Bill Clinton for five years prior to running for office. He is strong headed and considered a the bulldog of the Democratic party.

Deputy Chief of Staff:

Valerie Jarrett, Obama's oldest advisor and confidante, and Jim Messina, Obama's Campaign Chief of Staff, seem to be the favorites to be picked for Karl Rove's old position.

Communications Director:

David Axelrod is the genius behind the Obama campaign. He did an incredible job by all accounts in crafting the Obama campaign message and allure which Obama would love to continue to have in the White House. If Axelrod is not picked for this position, he will move into a very nice office at the Democratic National Committee. David Plouffe, Obama's campaign manager is probably option number two.

Press Secretary:

Robert Gibbs, Obama's campaign communications director.

Linda Douglass, Obama's Campaign Spokesperson

Secretary of Defense:

The Obama campaign is likely to fill this position with a Republican in an effort to flex its bi-partisan muscle.

Chuck Hagel: Hagel accompanied Obama on his Middle East tour and the retired Senator is considered to be a lock for the position if he will accept it.

Colin Powell: Powell has been one of the favorites ever since he endorsed Obama on Meet the Press. An Obama Presidency might just be enough to pull Powell out of retirement.

National Security Advisor: Big Name Intellectual

James Steinberg: Deputy National Security Advisor under Bill Clinton.

Gregory Craig: former counsel to Bill Clinton

Dennis Ross: Former Clinton Middle East Envoy

Susan Rice: Brookings Senior Fellow and former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.

Secretary of State:

Bill Richardson, New Mexico Governor and former United Nations Ambassador

Secretary of the Treasury:

Larry Summers, held this same office under Bill Clinton

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations:

Caroline Kennedy, a big name and key advisor in the Obama campaign

EPA Head:

Robert Kennedy Jr., Environmental lawyer and son of the late Robert Kennedy

Related Elections 2008 info: 
Obama elected president
Slideshow: Obama sweeps election
Examiner nationwide straw poll
Political issues in 2008
Examiner Coverage: Elections 2008