Breaking Down Obama's Cabinet Contenders

As Obama Prepares To Fill Key Cabinet Roles, CBSNews.com Looks At The Names Generating The Most Buzz In Washington

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter Brian Montopoli.

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Rumsfeld. Condi. Alberto. Colin. Ashcroft.

They're some of the best-known cabinet members of the Bush administration, officials who became household names while leading departments such as State, Defense, and Justice. Now President-elect Barack Obama is building his own cabinet, and speculation over who will get the top positions has risen to a fever pitch in Washington. Below, a look at the contenders, compiled from CBS News reporting and other sources:

Secretary Of State:

The 2004 Democratic nominee for president, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, is reportedly interested in the job, though his spokeswoman has cast claims that he is pushing for it "ridiculous." Kerry scored major points with Obama when he endorsed the Illinois senator just one day after Obama's surprise loss to Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. And as The New Republic's Michael Crowley pointed out on The Early Show Thursday, Kerry gave Obama the speaking slot at the 2004 Democratic convention that propelled him to national attention, without which Obama likely could not have made his White House run.

Another name thought to be under serious consideration is New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who stressed his negotiating skills with hostile foreign leaders during his failed run for president last year. Richardson also endorsed Obama relatively early, and took some heat from his former boss, Bill Clinton, for doing so. The choice of Richardson would, as Newsweek points out, bring a Hispanic face to the Obama cabinet, a move sure to be celebrated by the Latino voters who helped push Obama to victories in Colorado and New Mexico.

And then there are the Republican options: Obama has vowed to reach across the aisle in governing the country, and both Indiana Sen. Richard G. Lugar and Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel are considered strong candidates who would signal that he is doing so.

Secretary Of The Treasury:

As Jim Axelrod pointed out on the Evening News Wednesday, the sorry state of the economy puts Obama's selection to head the Treasury department under perhaps the most scrutiny of any of his picks. At the top of the list? Two former Clinton treasury secretaries: Larry Summers and Robert Rubin. Summers became embroiled in controversy for comments he made about women while Harvard University president, a factor that could complicate confirmation hearings. But he is a widely respected economist, and many see him as the steadiest hand available to guide the economy through troubled times.

Other candidates include Tim Geithner, who runs the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and played a key role in addressing Wall Street's recent collapse, and former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, one of Obama's principle economic advisors. Also said to be under consideration, though they're thought to be longshots, are Warren Buffett, the celebrated investor whom Obama repeatedly invoked on the campaign trail, New Jersey governor and former Goldman Sachs co-chair Jon Corzine, and Laura D'Andrea Tyson, who chaired the Council of Economic Advisers for Clinton.

Secretary Of Defense:

Could Robert Gates stick around? Obama has stressed a desire to break with President Bush in almost every way, but Donald Rumsfeld's successor is respected by both parties and offers much-needed experience and stability for a new administration reckoning with two wars. Even if Obama wants Gates, however, he might not get his wish: On Oct. 24th, the Defense secretary suggested he planned to return to Washington State when Mr. Bush's time in office expires.

Richard Danzig, the Obama supporter who was the Secretary Of The Navy under Clinton, is believed to be under consideration, as is Hagel, a Republican who broke with his party over the war. Also thought to be possibilities are former senator and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Sam Nunn, who has said he is "not interested" in an Obama cabinet position, John Hamre, the deputy secretary of Defense under Clinton who has worked closely with Gates, and Sen. Jack Reed.

Attorney General:

Obama needs to find someone who can "restore professionalism and nonpartisanship within the Department" following "Alberto Gonzales’ disastrous reign," argues CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen. Among the contenders for the job are Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, a former U.S. attorney who endorsed Obama early on. Napolitano would bring a female presence to a cabinet that is likely to be male-dominated, at least at the upper levels, and has also been mentioned as a potential Homeland Security chief.

The favorite, however, is probably Eric Holder, an African-American former Clinton deputy attorney general who serves as Obama's senior legal advisor. "Holder is a Democrat, but it will be hard for Republicans to tag him as a crony of the Left," writes Cohen. "He knows the ropes at Justice, has some experience in dealing with terror law and domestic crime (which is up), and has the intelligence and demeanor to generate confidence in the halls of Congress."

Other possible candidates who would also bring a high-profile African-American presence to the cabinet include Charles Ogletree, the Harvard law school professor who taught both Michelle and Barack Obama, and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Republican candidates include James B. Comey, who, while sitting in for an ailing John Ashcroft, refused to sign off on the White House's domestic surveillance program, and Patrick J. Fitzgerald, who prosecuted I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby.

Key Staff:

Though Obama has vowed to take his time filling cabinet positions - expect announcements after Thanksgiving - he has already indicated that hard-charging Rep. Rahm Emanuel will be his chief of staff, a cabinet-rank position that comes with vast authority. He has also tapped longtime top aide and campaign communications director Robert Gibbs, perhaps best known for his tussles with Fox News anchors, as his White House press secretary. And Obama's Senate chief of staff, Pete Rouse, will be one of Emanuel's deputies. The selection of the pugnacious threesome is being taken as an indication that Obama will play hardball and not shy away from pushing an ambitious agenda - and that he "doesn't want yes men," in the words of one member of his transition team.

The Rest:

South Dakota's Tom Daschle, the former Senate Democratic leader who lost his seat four years ago, has been something of a mentor to Obama. He is seen as a potential Health & Human Services chief, should he want the job. Another potential HHS chief? Democratic National Committee chairman and doctor Howard Dean.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, an early Obama backer who was seriously considered for the vice presidential slot, is also seen as an HHS candidate, as well as a potential secretary of Education, Commerce, or Energy.

Then there's Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, an early Clinton supporter who became an enthusiastic Obama supporter, who could go to Energy or the Department of Transportation; former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack, a candidate to head the Department of Agriculture; and the candidates to head Homeland Security, among them Sept. 11 commissioner Tim Roemer, New York City police commissioner Ray Kelly, and former Federal Emergency Management Agency head James Lee Witt.

For the Labor department, former House majority leader Richard Gephardt is seen as a strong candidate; Richardson is seen as a candidate for the Department of the Interior, along with Rep. Jay Inslee; and South Carolina Rep. James E. Clyburn could head the Department of Housing & Urban Development.

Among the highest profile names popping up is that of Colin Powell, the Republican former Secretary Of State who endorsed Obama, who could become secretary of Education or Defense. Also in the mix is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who could be tapped to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

[cariboubarbi]

Will the GOP learn anything from it''s losses?


I hope it will learn to be more inclusive and less divisive.

I hope that it will move to the center rather than the extreme right.

[notopennshut]

NEVER MIND about all the positions! Lieberman MUST GO!! There is no room for such a traitor, regardless of whether he would make the 60th in the senate. He can never nor should he ever be trusted again and you cannot hold any meetings without the fear that he would run off to his friend John. Let him sign up with the republicans, but he MUST BE FREED from the democrats, and NOW!

[cariboubarbi]

libsh8theUSA



Why do you hate America?

[specialty8]

LIBSH8THEUSA,
Sounds like a real good cabinet, but what about Oprah and Rashid Khalid?

[thechooch1]

The election is over. America has spoken. It is time for you neocons to get on the bandwagon and do what is right for our country. Stop the name calling and negativity. We are sliding into third world status, stand up be proud do something for your country instead of spreading hate. Name calling and negativity hasn''t worked, give the new president a chance.

[pony1225]

Good ones, but I cannot laugh until the child sacrificing stops, if liberals want to tear apart limbs and little people, maybe they should "walk the talk," and "pull up their pants," and start with themselves. America a great country? Not!! Don''t be surprised if God let''s something drastic happen, because I can be sure he is UPSET!!!!!

[hannity2012]

I would like to take time out to really thank Freddy Mac and ACORN. Because of there thuggish techniques to intimidate the banks on giving mortgages to poor minority groups. THe prices of homes have skyrocketed. I sold last year with over a million dollars in profit. ACORN actually made me a millionaire. Now I am looking to buy some of the busted homes around the area that have been forclosed on. THANK YOU FREDDY MAC, FANNIE MAE AND ACORN. Without these Goverment back groups I dont think I would be as Rich.

[ioweign]

Rowdy is this what you want back....

Bush: "Our Long National Nightmare Of Peace And Prosperity Is Finally Over"

WASHINGTON, DC - Mere days from assuming the presidency and closing the door on eight years of Bill Clinton, president-elect George W. Bush assured the nation in a televised address Tuesday that "our long national nightmare of peace and prosperity is finally over."

President-elect Bush vows that "together, we can put the triumphs of the recent past behind us."

"My fellow Americans," Bush said, "at long last, we have reached the end of the dark period in American history that will come to be known as the Clinton Era, eight long years characterized by unprecedented economic expansion, a sharp decrease in crime, and sustained peace overseas. The time has come to put all of that behind us."

[ioweign]

Who is Rahm Emmanuel. What nationality is this now?

Posted by savethefaith at 04:00 PM : Nov 06, 2008


American...

[ioweign]

Rowdy is this what you want back....

Bush: "Our Long National Nightmare Of Peace And Prosperity Is Finally Over"

WASHINGTON, DC - Mere days from assuming the presidency and closing the door on eight years of Bill Clinton, president-elect George W. Bush assured the nation in a televised address Tuesday that "our long national nightmare of peace and prosperity is finally over."

President-elect Bush vows that "together, we can put the triumphs of the recent past behind us."

"My fellow Americans," Bush said, "at long last, we have reached the end of the dark period in American history that will come to be known as the Clinton Era, eight long years characterized by unprecedented economic expansion, a sharp decrease in crime, and sustained peace overseas. The time has come to put all of that behind us."




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Posted by IOWEIGN at 04:02 PM : Nov 06, 2008
+

I prospered and have been happy as a clam during the Bush terms. Why haven''''t YOU? You still waiting on the government to make you RICH? Provide for your every need....wipe your little behind every time it gets chapped?


Posted by FromTexwLove at 04:03 PM : Nov 06, 2008

Gee - I retired in 2006 from Fed with 32 yrs. This increased inflation will sure bump up my civil service COLA...

[ioweign]

Who is Rahm Emmanuel. What nationality is this now?

Posted by savethefaith at 04:00 PM : Nov 06, 2008

He''''s another Chicago Arabic/Muslim ghetto politician straight out of pay/go and corruption, like you new president.

Posted by FromTexwLove at 04:07 PM : Nov 06, 2008

Wrong - you are not doing your homework Rowdy...

[thechooch1]

FromTexwLove

Give it up! Your party lost big time and we have a new president elect. Stop all the hatred and negativity. We need to unite in this country and not divide. Look in the mirror and see a very angry person. Get a life and do something positive.

[ioweign]

Posted by FromTexwLove at 04:03 PM : Nov 06, 2008

Gee - I retired in 2006 from Fed with 32 yrs. This increased inflation will sure bump up my civil service COLA...

Posted by IOWEIGN at 04:08 PM : Nov 06, 2008

What''s the matter? You haven''t noticed inflation rising and didn''t prepare for it, and now want somebody else to blame like the government?

Posted by FromTexwLove at 04:12 PM : Nov 06, 2008


Who has been the "Great Decider" the last eight years?

It is not my fault the "Great Decider" didn''t listen to me?

I fulfilled my obligation and now the government can fulfill its...

[dan9111]

This is all a victory for the GOP. If you respect the GOP and want their success, the last thing you want to do is permit them to commit errors. The McCain nomination was an error. The censorship of Ron Paul was an error. To see the morally corrupt Democrats take over can only encourge the GOP to improve themselves.

This is a victory for freedom and effectively for all the Ron Paul people. Next time the GOP knows they cannot afford to hate American liberty as they did during this past election. If they do, they will fail again. They learned a long-forgotten lesson, a fire lit by Jimmy Carter to get things right. and then they started wars and rubberstamped a banking system moneygrab. Today''s GOP is murder and theft. Reagan and moral principle is a distant memory.

[farouk7]

Attention all idiot:

Please take notice! That old man and that stupid broad LOSS. You new president is:

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

[thechooch1]

IOWEIGN

I know how you feel, after I retired my company went bankrupt. The first thing they did was to pay big bonuses to the executives and scrap the retirement plan for their retired employees. Of course the republican president and congress sat there and laughed.

[farouk7]

Attention all idiot:

Please take notice! That old man and that stupid broad LOST. You new president is:

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

[farouk7]

Attention all idiotS:

Please take notice! That old man and that stupid broad LOST. You new president is:

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

Deal with it!

[farouk7]

. Reagan and moral principle is a distant memory.

Posted by Dan9111 at 04:17 PM : Nov 06, 2008"

Hey asshat - the murder and theft of the republican party was begun by the drooling Alzheimers riddled *** Reagan

_________________-

Posted by cause_y at 04:27 PM : Nov 06, 2008
______________________

Reagan and moral principles were complete strangers.

[thechooch1]

Congratulations! Welcome to the new United Socialist Federal Government of America supported by socialist commies!

Aren''''t you PROUD!

Give it up, calling people socialist, communist, celebrities, pals of terrorist doesn''t work. Why? Because it isn''t true, and millions of Americans know it. The current administration''s bailout isn''t socialist?

[thechooch1]

FromTexwLove

Your state gave us the current president. People in glass houses shouldn''t throw stones.

[farouk7]

Attention all idiots (this includes you, Tex)

Please take notice! That old man and that stupid broad LOST. You new president is:

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

[farouk7]

Poor old Joe the Dumber. They kicked his azz all the way back to the sticks. And unlike Ailin'' Palin, he didn''t even get a new pair of jeans.

[thechooch1]

FromTexwLove

Where were you when the current administration came out with the bailout idea? They tried to sell it on one page of paper! Then they wanted no oversight, no recourse and strings attached. That wasn''t the Democrats, it was the current administration.

[dan9111]

Please take notice! That old man and that stupid broad LOST. You new president is:

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

Deal with it!

Posted by farouk7

That is a silly assertion. The President is MADE UP position. It is not a real thing, like gravity or the sun. The President is whatever you want it to be. There is no proof Obama one, it is only majority opinion. And we would not again leave facts open to majority interpretation, or else you must believe the world is REALLY flat and the center of the universe if it so happens enough people think it is so.

[farouk7]

Posted by Dan9111 at 04:42 PM : Nov 06, 2008
____________________

Shut the *** up, stupid. Barack Hussein Obama is your new president. Stand in front of your mirror and practice saluting him.

[dan9111]

Reagan and moral principles were complete strangers.

Posted by farouk7

Not so much. During his campaign few can argue Reagan promoted moral principles. Whether he followed through is doubted!

The whole dammed McCain campaign was blatantly amoral from the beginning. They were thugs who stole the nomination process by force. An Obama win is the best thing that could happen to purge this poison from the GOP.

[farouk7]

The whole dammed McCain campaign was blatantly amoral from the beginning. They were thugs who stole the nomination process by force. An Obama win is the best thing that could happen to purge this poison from the GOP.

Posted by Dan9111 at 04:46 PM : Nov 06, 2008
______________________

You trying to make me agree? Okay, I think you''re 99% correct.

[dan9111]

You can stay in Egypt since your swimming in De-nile.

Posted by cntrymuzksux

Ridiculous. I would have said the same had McCain won! This process is only a beauty contest. To say Obama is somehow a superior being, or worthy of our obedience, that is not how biology works. Obama is just a guy. Not a magical superhero.

[thechooch1]

FromTexwLove
Yeah, and McCain went to Washington and put the quaitus to the socialist democraps putting 62% of that money into commie Pelosi''''s Housing Trust Slush fund, too, so that they could dole it out throught corrupt ACORN and La RAZA and other anti-american groups!

Good for Grandpa McCain, he saved us a krap load of money on that little ***.

Wow! McCain suspended his campaign to go to DC. Problem was he isn''t on the banking committee, so he had nothing to do. And it backfired, like all his negative campaigning and name calling. Give it up! It is time for this nation to come together and fix this awful mess that former governor from Texas left us!

[farouk7]

No THANKS! He''s you''re president, not mine, remember I didn''t vote for him. You won him fair and square :)

Posted by FromTexwLove at 04:50 PM : Nov 06, 2008
_______________________

You still don''t get it, stupid. Barack Hussein Obama is the president of the United States of America. If that does not include you, get a new battery, fix both flats on your home, start it up and drive across the border. Adios, pendejo.

[farouk7]

Posted by libsh8theUSA at 04:54 PM : Nov 06, 2008
____________________

Give it up stupid! The old man and the stupid girl lost, get used to it.

[dan9111]

Obama is a superior being! Far better than the peasent mcwarmonger. bow down mcwarmonger, kiss the feet a bigger, better man! boy!

obama 4 ever

Posted by blackhouse80

Hey, you know, that is great sarcasm! But there are enough people that believe it, and it is the obedience to Bush that made all of this Terror on America possible, including the Wall Street Crooks and the initiation of wars. Obama is just a guy, and follow him if you wish, but at some point he can and will point guns are those who disagree with him. It always happens. His shirt is clean today, but there is no guarantee. Quite the contrary, he and the violence-based Democrats are probably poised to attack America.

[farouk7]

not one promise will come true. Bah ha ha ha

Posted by libsh8theUSA at 04:57 PM : Nov 06, 2008
________________________

Sounds like wishful thinking from a loser. Get over it.

[farouk7]

Palin is so stupid she thought Africa is a country.

[thechooch1]

FromTexwLove

Turn off the portable generator, go back in your double wide and quit call names.

[dan9111]

Like I SAID! I didn''''t vote for him. He''''s not MY president! YOU won him fair and square! Enjoy the skrewing you''''ll get.

Posted by FromTexwLove

That is a good point. He is like the Queen of England really. And nobody expects the Queen to attack them... It is time for Obama to honor his past opinion and disarm the government. Once he is in command he can order all of the police and military to disarm and have the weapons destroyed. At least if he thinks gun ownership is morally wrong, that is what he should do.

[dan9111]

And I''''d be supporting McCain too if the tables were turned. I sure as he!! wouldn''''t be bad mouthing him.

Posted by cntrymuzksux

Why not? They both condone violence against Americans. If you don''t care and would support either one, then isn''t that saying you are favoring violence over nonviolence? Why post on a forum if violence works so well?

[byeneocons]

I''m just happy that we have a president appointing cabinet members based on their qualifications, and not because they were drunken frat buddies or friends of Daddy.

[dan9111]

Apparantly, it''''s no longer your country either. I respectfully ask you to leave.

Posted by cntrymuzksux

You should go first. If those who disagree ought to leave, then it is just as legitimate so say so. You are disagreeing, just as you are saying others should not. It is only logical that you follow your own advice.

[thechooch1]

FromTexwLove

Great posts!

[dan9111]

Yeah, I remember that being a plank for both of them.

Posted by cntrymuzksux

You said you would support them.. If you would support both candidates, then you must support the things they have in common such as the use of force against American citizen. It is an inescapable conclusion, unless you are getting a kickback or only supporting the winning candidate (whoever it is you dont care) in order to get an invitation to some White House social function.

[dan9111]

You can disagree all you want that''''s not the point of the post.

Posted by cntrymuzksux

You point was the same. You say disagreers must go! That is what you are saying. Otherwise you would welcome the Obama-deniers and say how wonderful it is they are here even though you know they are being wrong and all.

[dan9111]

So in your twisted logic it would be fine for me to walk up to you, beat the snot out of you, shoot you full of holes and take from you anything my little heart desired.

But of course I don''''t condone all out anarchy.

Posted by cntrymuzksux

The logic is simple. Either you oppose violence or you do not. Obviously what you say is accurate if you think violence is OK. But if you think violence is wrong, then it must also be wrong when the President-winner does it (be it McCain or Obama, the votes can not magically change whether killing is right or wrong).

[panhandlpete]

When President-elect Obama officially announces his choices for the members of his cabinet, then we can get a better opinion of WHO was ''pulling'' the strings behind his campaign. It''s the normal tradition to repay your most generous and most loyal supporters with a position of power/prestige......no qualification requirements other than access to the candidate.

Of the choices in this story, few of them deserve a position in his cabinet, in my opinion. Sure am HOPING for CHANGE as promised.

[dan9111]

I have no problem with people disagreeing with Obama staying in their country. If you''''re unable to discern the difference between disagreeing and what Tex said, I can''''t help you.

Posted by cntrymuzksux

Perhaps you can help yourself. If a person says Obama is not the President, that is just an opinion. The Office of President is an artificial creation out of the human imagination. It is shocking, but Obama is not the sun or the moon. He did not arrive by meteor strike. He is just a guy some people assign the word president, and like a religion or your favorite sports team, you can take your pick to believe it or not. But unless you have evidence, do not use the language of facts and science to declare things.

[dan9111]

I''''m not quite sure which side of the fence you''''re on. Do you oppose violence? Would you ever find it necessary to use violence to protect yourself if threatened with violence?

I think it would be grand if we could all be pacifists and sit around singing kumbaya.

Posted by cntrymuzksux

Nice try, but Obama and McCain have never limited their lust for violence to self-defense scenarios.

Both have declared force beneficial, even when it is optional, to use against nonviolent opponents both foreign and domestic. You know very well what they have said about people they disagree with and what it means. They both, like George W Bush, are going to use guns not for protection but for profit.

[emelder]

President Bush and Senator McCain have been gracious in defeat ... what do you say we ALL give the President-elect a little respect, and some space to begin a difficult, challenging job? He''ll be everyone''s President now ... how about we set some of the mean-spirited stuff aside for awhile in here ... to see how he does? This is an exciting time for America!

[farouk7]

Palin is so stupid she thinks Africa is a country.

[ljld]

Oh and the new ruler thinks there are 57 states.