Nov. 22, 2008
Team Obama Takes Shape
A Roundup Of Confirmed And Rumored Nominees For Top Posts In The New Administration
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Play CBS Video Video Cabinet Takes Shape After locking down his attorney general and chief of staff picks, the Obama transition team has moved on to fill the treasury secretary and secretary of state positions. Chip Reid has more.
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Video Obama Cabinet Choices The number of "Clintonians" mentioned for President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet has raised eyebrows. Marcus Mabry of The New York Times explains some of the surprise candidates for posts.
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Video A Clinton In Obama's Cabinet? Will Hillary Clinton be appointed secretary of state and, if so, what will be the effects of her appointment? Jeff Greenfield has more.
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Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton step off his campaign plane in Florida last month. (AP)
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In this Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 file photo, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks at a New York Public Transit Association conference in Albany. (AP)
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New York Federal Reserve Chairman Timothy Geithner, left, talks with Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke in this Oct. 15, 2008 file photo. Geithner is reportedly President-elect Barack Obama's pick to be the next treasury secretary. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
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In this June 9, 2008 file photo, former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington. Holder is President-elect Barack Obama's top choice to be the next attorney general and aides have gone so far as to ask senators whether he would be confirmed, an Obama official and people close to the matter said Nov. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Photo Essay United Front Rivals turned allies Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton make show of unity ... in Unity.
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Photo Essay Hillary Clinton A look at a life and career full of firsts.
The adviser told CBS News that Mr. Obama formally told Clinton earlier in the week the job was hers if she wanted it.
But a Clinton spokesman stressed that this is not a done deal. "We're still in discussions, which are very much on track. Any reports beyond that are premature," said Philippe Reines, a senior adviser to the New York senator.
CBS News has also learned that New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner is Mr. Obama's choice for Secretary of the Treasury.
The Associated Press reported late Saturday that Obama is planning to name former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers - previosly thought to be a front-runner to resume that post - as director of the National Economic Council.
Obama is expected to announce both of those economic picks, and possibly others, on Monday.
And CBS News has confirmed that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson had emerged as a likely pick for commerce secretary.
Elsewhere, CBS News correspondent David Martin reports that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, met Friday for a one-on-one meeting with Obama. Mullen flew to Chicago at the invitation of Mr. Obama and the men met for about 45 minutes. Mullen refused to say what was discussed. As the president's chief military adviser, Mullen will play a key role in helping Obama make good on his campaign promise to end the war in Iraq and get all combat brigades out by July, 2010.
A more complete rundown of the emerging Obama cabined is below, based on reporting by CBS News and the Associated Press:
"In many ways this pairing would seem the most unlikely of the new administration, especially given the often bitter primary battle between the two," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "But the president-elect has emphasized his desire to bring former opponents into his administration and there’s not a better example of this 'team of rivals' approach than this. Whether it works out in the long run is the $64,000 question."
CBS News' Chip Reid reported Friday that Clinton's decision to accept the job came only after additional conversations with Mr. Obama to make sure she was comfortable with the idea of the two former rivals working together.
An Obama transition aide told The Associated Press that the two camps have worked out financial disclosure issues involving Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, and the complicated international funding of his foundation that operates in 27 countries.
Clinton is reported to have been mulling the post for several days, but the transition aide's comments suggested that Mr. Obama's team does not feel she is inclined to turn it down.
Some Democrats and government insiders have questioned whether Clinton is too independent and politically ambitious to be an effective secretary of state. But Mr. Obama is said to admire her talents and experience, as do many other Democrats.
A senior adviser to Mr. Obama said the president-elect believes Clinton would bring instant stature and credibility to U.S. diplomatic relations and that the advantages to her serving far outweighed potential downsides.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised the apparent choice in an interview with CBS News, saying "Fabulous, she'd be absolutely great. She's so respected through our country and also throughout the world."
If nominated and confirmed by the Senate, Geithner, 47, would assume chief responsibility for tackling an economic slowdown and a credit crunch that threaten to create the deepest recession in more than a generation. The president of the New York Federal Reserve, he has played a key role in the government's response to the financial crisis and has worked closely with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.
He is also a veteran of the Treasury Department, having served in top posts under Presidents Clinton and George H.W. Bush.
In an interview with CBS News, Washington Post columnist Steve Pearlstein called Geithner a "great choice" who "knows exactly what's going on and going wrong"
Like Clinton, he was a rival of Mr. Obama's for the Democratic presidential nomination last winter. He dropped out after the early contests, though, and soon threw his support behind the eventual winner.
Holder was a top Justice Department aide in the Clinton administration, though most recently he has been in private practice.
While speculation has been rampant about numerous Cabinet-level appointments, there has been relatively little about Mr. Obama's choice as defense secretary. His aides encouraged speculation before the election that Robert Gates, who now holds the position, would remain in office for an interim period.
Other possible candidates include former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig, Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., a critic of the Iraq war who is retiring from Senate, and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a member of Senate Armed Services Committee and Obama friend.
The Arizona governor is Mr. Obama's top choice.
Brennan is a former director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
The former Senate Majority Leader from South Dakota and longtime Obama supporter has all-but-officially gotten the nod.
Orszag is the current director of the Congressional Budget Office.
©MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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- The man is keeping his campaign promise to clean up Washington and remove the insiders. Look at his cabinet choices -- Do you see any long term insiders there?
This is a man of his word. I bet we get his tax cuts and he sticks it to the rich within the first few weeks of his Presidency.
We had Honest Abe, now we have Honest Barack.
Like Washington , He cannot tell a lie.
Isn''t it so nice that everyone is going to get what they voted for? - Reply to this comment
- i am just so pleased that obama has decided to chose people from clinton old staff,,, for him to take hillary its kinda like having old bill back in office
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- Remarkable insistence by Obama that his team be comprised of such diverse views, including those who opposed his selection as POTUS. I think the people who claim they see no change are stuck in CAPS LOCK ON against their lower case adversaries. Both should get over it and recognize that Change has come to Washington, and that makes it Capitalized.
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- matching pair of -06''''s hanging in the rear window of the truck.
Posted by Obama_Dkhed at 06:03 PM : Nov 23, 2008
We have those in NC also - Reply to this comment
- Posted by PCreversed at 01:28 PM : Nov 23, 2008
Thats because Dean Smith didn''t want the job - Reply to this comment
- I hear he is looking at Gibbs for a post. Being that Gibbs graduated from NCSU, I would definately question his ability to make a quality, solid decision. I have never met a NCSU grad tht could make up their minds about anything. And if they do, it is usually a bad decision.
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- Im on board as well?
Yes I will be in charge for the SELF support of decisions made!
My hope is that no one else will turn to Jesus as their sin bearer so that they can have eternal life here and there. - Reply to this comment
- Im on board as well?
Yes I will be in charge for the SELF support of decisions made! - Reply to this comment
- What is his "TEAM" going to do. Clean the streets? They might be up to that. That is about all they are up to.
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- Sounds good.
I do not care about stupid Morons like DJ_IL - put Your anger into Your pocket and start to work - we have plenty work to do in this country, and Anger is NOT helpful.
Posted by lordmi at 02:00 AM : Nov 23, 2008
Pssst. Take your own advice. Where do you see that DJ_IL has anger issues. Sounds to me like maybe you and wtlib have the pent up anger. - Reply to this comment
- Sounds good.
I do not care about stupid Morons like DJ_IL - put Your anger into Your pocket and start to work - we have plenty work to do in this country, and Anger is NOT helpful. - Reply to this comment
- This is the change from the old style Washington insider politics we were promised by Obama, all Clinton retreads including H Clinton
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- No one has to do community service. As President Elect Obama said if you want a hand for your education or job training you can give some of your time to help out in several different ways. Young people can decide if they want to or not. Lazy rich kids need not apply.
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- President Elect Obama is making wise choices for his cabinet. Our country is so fortunate to have Obama coming into the presidency to do what is right. Chuck Hagel would be a good appointment for Secretary of Defense. Hagel is someone who had the courage and the integrity to stand up against the Bush administration and their foolhardy and evil policies when no one else in the republican party did. Ron Paul is another who was brave and outspoken. I don''t know how President Elect Obama feels about these two, but we do all need to work together to get America out of this recession with so many people losing their jobs and homes.
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- Napotilano for Homeland Security? OMG! Geezus H. Kerrristtttt...Maybe she and Barney frigging Franks can start a new apartment complex for gay rights lobbyists. (snort!)
Posted by Rowdydfw
How can you tell a Texan is married?
There''s chewing tobacco down both sides of the pickup truck. - Reply to this comment
- Unlike the Man who now holds the office, Obama seems to be putting VERY Competent People in positions of their knowledge. He seems to also, be picking people who have been successful before. It is just as obvious that he is NOT looking for Yes people. All of these show he intends to take the Government away from the incompetence of the Bush Administration.
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- After a week of "getting away from it all" I see that not much has really changed from what I expected.
Wonder if I''ll get any better of a chance to get ahead with the new regime. Hope they''ll be more willing to hire people like me than the last bunch.
Still see the same old "fear factor" crowd is hanging in there squeezing out sour grapes.
Is there a job out there for someone who''s been warning about this financial mess for a couple of years and wants to get things back on track now that the feces has been revealed?
seems like a good time to come out of retirement. - Reply to this comment
- It''s beyond the pale that Obama can select Janet Napolitano for Homeland Security cheif and no one mentions her controversy from 1996. While U.S. Attorney in Arizona that year, she was asked by the government/postal inspectors to help issue search warrants after the FBI took over a child porn operation in California. The idea was that the FBI and postal inspectors would send out the requested illegal materials and then deliver them to the pedophiles who ordered them. It turned out that all the material was ordered by gay men...pictures of little boys. (The story was featured on 20/20 at the time). Because of her sexual orientation, Napolitano was the only U.S. Attorney who would not cooperate with the investigation. One of the suspects who was not arrested went on to molest 200 boys.
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- Obama is making excellent choices to fill cabinet posts and positios in The White House. For those that are idealistic thinkng he would pick all outsiders with no Washington experience need to be more realistic. The reality given the economic turndown, two wars, potential for a terror attack and other trouble spots (Iran, North Korea, etc) in the world he needs experienced Washington insider democrats to fill those positions. Those pool of people would come from the Clinton Administration era.
In spite of those picks which so far are mostly cabinet positions, his closest aides appointed for White House jobs are not Clinton people. They are the ones that usually have a presidents attention the most. - Reply to this comment
- The country, indeed the world, benefits from the newfound diversity in the highest levels of government: an African American President-elect, and the prospect of an African American Attorney General and female Secretary of Homeland Security. This is indeed a new and proud era for diversity. The great problems of our nation, indeed the world, require the full inclusion of all citizens who are prepared and qualified to help bring about resolution.
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Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
