Nov. 21, 2008
Obama Team Springs Leaks
Washington Post: His Campaign Was Tight-Lipped, But Rumors Are Now Disrupting Plan For Announcing Cabinet Nominees
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Hillary Will Get SOS Nom Soon
CBS News has learned that President-elect Barack Obama will nominate Clinton to be his Secretary of State right after Thanksgiving, reports Bill Plante.
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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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Obama Eyes Holder For AG
CBS News has learned that President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Washington insider Eric Holder as his choice for attorney general. Chip Reid reports.
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Photo Essay
Accepting The Mantle
President-elect Barack Obama addresses the nation and the world after his victory.
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Who's Who
World Reaction
For many, Barack Obama's election seals America's reputation as a land of opportunity.
Barack Obama was famously able to impose discipline and control over his presidential campaign, but it didn't take long for him to discover that running a transition is something quite different.
Top aides to the president-elect had hoped to take a methodical approach to selecting and unveiling their new team, starting with the announcements of top national security and economic players shortly after Thanksgiving. But leaks and rumors have disrupted that plan, suggesting that the "no-drama Obama" mantra famously repeated by his staff may not be as operational in Washington as it was at campaign headquarters in Chicago.
Obama has not officially announced any Cabinet appointments, but transition officials have reluctantly confirmed that former senator Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.) will be nominated as secretary of health and human services, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano is the top choice for the Department of Homeland Security, and Eric H. Holder Jr. is likely to be the attorney general pick.
Meanwhile, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) is on track to be nominated for the job of secretary of state after Thanksgiving, transition aides said. And late last night, Obama aides were confronted with unconfirmed talk that retired Gen. James L. Jones could be tapped for national security adviser.
In the case of Chicago billionaire Penny Pritzker, leaks that she would probably be tapped for a Cabinet job proved premature. An architect of Obama's record-shattering campaign fundraising operation, Pritzker emerged as the leading choice to run the Commerce Department. Sources close to the Hyatt hotel heiress said she was seriously interested, and Obama allies said the president-elect, who considers Pritzker a close friend and a stellar manager, was eager to make an offer.
But as her name began to circulate, sources close to the campaign said Pritzker came to realize that she could not extract herself from the vast and complex business obligations that make her one of the country's wealthiest individuals. Yesterday afternoon, Pritzker issued a statement taking herself out of contention.
"Speculation has grown that I am a candidate for Secretary of Commerce. I am not," Pritzker said. "I think I can best serve our nation in my current capacity: building businesses, creating jobs and working to strengthen our economy."
For nearly two years, Obama's political inner circle took great pride in the dearth of public reports about personnel moves, fundraising numbers and staff friction inside his campaign. When Obama announced his choice of Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.) as his running mate, he did it via a text message to supporters. When the campaign announced that Pritzker, finance director Julianna Smoot and her team had raised $150 million in September, it came in an e-mail from reclusive campaign manager David Plouffe.
That control has all but dissolved in the leak-centric world of Washington. Every day since Nov. 4, the president-elect's transition staff has alerted reporters of planned activities for Obama and Biden. And invariably, those events have been more or less ignored in favor of the latest leak of a selection for the Cabinet or White House staff.
"There is nothing they can do about it -- vetting and FBI background checks require a lot of calls, and that leads to leaks," explained Steve Elmendorf, a longtime aide to former House minority leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) and now a lobbyist in Washington.
And unlike in a campaign, there is now simply more information to disseminate and more outlets chasing the ever-elusive scoop. "It's the era of the Internet; what do you expect?" joked a former Clinton White House senior adviser who is not involved in the transition process.
Although the pace of disclosures may be quicker than Obama had planned, his choices are for the most part neither risky nor unexpected. The administration that is taking shape is an amalgam of longtime allies and veteran Washington insiders, demonstrating not only Obama's regard for loyalty but also his practical streak. So far, they have all been well received, at least among Democrats.
By considering Napolitano to run the Department of Homeland Security, Obama is rewarding one of his earliest high-profile supporters, as well as enlisting a border-state governor with law enforcement credentials to oversee a sprawling agency with jurisdiction over immigration policy and domestic security.
Yesterday, Napolitano won the early endorsement of Sen. John McCain, the defeated Republican presidential candidate and a fellow Arizonan, who called for her "rapid confirmation." It was not lost on political observers that if she becomes the next homeland security chief, a strong possible challenger to McCain's 2010 reelection bid will be effectively sidelined.
Daschle, Obama's choice for Health and Human Services, endorsed Obama early in the primary season, and the former Senate majority leader has a command of the legislative process that could make or break Obama's ambitious health-care goals. And in Clinton, Obama sees not just a hard-nosed negotiator with a strong grasp of details but also a powerful symbol of his desire to find the best person for the job regardless of past political entanglements.
"Obama is big," said Andy Grossman, a veteran party strategist. "And we need big. I think his willingness to hire people who can serve him well because they understand the levers of power shows a tremendous discipline and comfort with his own ego."
Democrats mindful of former president Bill Clinton's plodding 1992 transition are pleased with the rapid pace.
"He is finding people he knows and trusts but who also have a demonstrated ability to do what he needs of them in those slots," said Matt Bennett, a former adviser in the Clinton White House. "Daschle is a skilled legislative tactician who can move health care; Napolitano understands immigration and how to run a large, unruly bureaucracy; [Hillary Clinton] can be a force-multiplier, bringing her celebrity and skill to the world stage."
Obama aides insist a nomination is certain only when it is officially announced. In the case of Holder, for example, they will say only that he is a top candidate for the attorney general post.
The caution is in part an effort to avoid problems experienced by Bill Clinton, who, after waiting six weeks to announce any Cabinet or senior staff appointments, faced a pair of embarrassing withdrawals when his first two picks for attorney general -- Zoe E. Baird and Kimba M. Wood -- stepped aside because of vetting issues.
Seeking to avoid similar episodes, Obama is asking potential appointees to fill out a 63-page questionnaire aimed at unearthing any foible, no matter how personal or seemingly trivial, that could derail a nomination or reflect poorly on the incoming president.
Staff writer Matthew Mosk contributed to this report.
By Shailagh Murray and Chris Cillizza
© 2008 The Washington Post Company





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See all 337 CommentsWHO CARES IT''S HIS CABINET NOT MINE!
So I just haven''t fiugured out the reason why anyone else should care.
Payton Place all over again.
''''Change, change, change...
....Change of FOOLS''''
Posted by DaVicar1 at 11:08 AM : Nov 21, 2008
Ummmm...that would be CHAIN....as in Chaney. Get it right
''''''''Change, change, change...
....Change of FOOLS''''''''
Posted by DaVicar1 at 11:08 AM : Nov 21, 2008
Chain, fool
In about eight weeks we''re going to coronate a new president that is clearly not in love with capitalism. Barack Obama wrote of his flirtations with Marxism during his college years. He gravitated to Marxist professors and hung around student gatherings where Marxist literature was sold. His campaign rhetoric parroted may Marxist maxims.
Now you may not like this .. and I''ll probably get some of those silly "Obama''s been elected, get over it" emails. How many of you remember any pro-capitalism statements from Obama during the campaign? Did you hear him praise the role of business and entrepreneurs in the American economy? If he said it, I sure didn''t hear it.
So give me just one good reason why a capitalist - an investor, a business owner, or an entrepreneur - should feel positive about the upcoming Obama presidency? This is going to be a presidency for people who love and worship government. If we could sell stock in the federal government I''m sure the analysts would be giving it a strong buy recommendation right now.
Posted by ghwab1949
So after two years of bashing Obama for his lack of experience, now you bash him because he''s bringing in experienced advisors. No pleasing you people is there.
Sub Prime loans are just one part of a bigger problem, unbridled growth at any cost. You think sub prime loans are the problem of the credit crisis wait till you see the worthless investment vehicles tied to bundling credit cards and Auto loans.
Name me one thing that grows forever? Capitalism depends upon growth, but uncontrolled growth chokes everything. Banking greed was like KUDZU, growing until it choked the life out of us all.
The credit crisis was caused by greedy bankers and investors, men and women that thought the golden goose could just keep being fattened without any health risks. Growth and Greed is the Capitalist motto. That motto is the cause of the problems.
And if you do not think Capitalist love GOV, why have they all flown in private jets and been lined up with their hands out. The same folks who got us into this mess are the recipients of the biggest fleecing of America in modern day! Corporate Socialism is the biggest drain next to the war .... and that was not needed either! Idiot!
Posted by txlakeside at 12:16 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Who doesn''t like free money. These proposed loans will never be paid back and they are only the beginning.
The Auto companies just got in line first, wait until all industries try this.
Once the flood gates open, you will never get them closed again.
I pity the rich. We know how to live with nothing. They can''t even put their underwear on by themselves.
Posted by CBSNews53
Don''t count your chickens before they hatch.
They love it when everyone needs them and they control the money that they do not have but have the power to take it from us.
Posted by tj217 at 12:15 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Of course, it is certainly not the Democrats fault that Clinton gave our technology to China, and it isn''t the Democrats fault that the US hasn''t developed any of its own resources for the past 35 years. And it isn''t the democrats fault that even though they have been a majority in Congress for the past 2 years, that the economy is down the tubes. Yes, don''t blame the Democrats for anything. It isn''t their fault.
I pity the rich. We know how to live with nothing. They can''''t even put their underwear on by themselves.
Posted by marcuscassiu at 12:27 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Let me tell you something I am Rich and proud of it. Nobody gave me a *** thing. I built several companies from nothing, employ hundreds of people and never once got the Government to do anything but take more from me and my employees.
Now I am a target....
If this continues, you can have it. I will just get out and good luck hoping the Government pays you any where near my employees make and have made for decades.
You really should stop listening to Rush Limbaugh. Taking talking points from an ex-addict is generally not a good idea.
FOR SURE! As a small business owner, I am FULLY EXPECTING ABOUT HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN TAX CREDITS ALONE NEXT YEAR!
BRING IT ONNNNNNNNNNN! I SIMPLY CAN''''T WAIT FOR IT!
Posted by Rowdydfw at 12:44 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Don''t hold your breath. We who own small businesses are under attack from all of these losers who produce nothing and take what they think is their god given right to take.
Colin
Obviously a bad joke I''d make regardless of who ended up getting voted in...
Obviously a bad joke I''d make regardless of who ended up getting voted in...
1. Forget all of the promises Obama made during the primaries and general election. The mess that the Bush administration is leaving will take the Obama administration almost three (maybe four) years to clean up.
2. Neocoms like Hannity and Rush have been reduced to ridicue, whinning and complaining. That is what they do best.
3. The best I can determine is that Obama is assembling a first rate group of folks to be in his administration. I am not sure about Hilliary but if that is what Obama wants, fine and good.
God Bless America
1. Forget all of the promises Obama made during the primaries and general election. The mess that the Bush administration is leaving will take the Obama administration almost three (maybe four) years to clean up.
THIS WILL BE THE DEMOCRAT EXCUSE FOR FAILURE
2. Neocoms like Hannity and Rush have been reduced to ridicue, whinning and complaining. That is what they do best.
LIKE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN QUIET ABOUT PRESIDENT BUSH FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS
3. The best I can determine is that Obama is assembling a first rate group of folks to be in his administration. I am not sure about Hilliary but if that is what Obama wants, fine and good.
OBAMA RAN ON A CHANGE AND WE GET RETREADS FROM A PAST GENERATION.
God Bless America
Posted by ramos937 at 12:55 PM : Nov 21, 200
After all, Richard "The Trickster" Nixon hired a gang of "plumbers" to fix leaks in his administration, even if they didn''t do a very good job of it and ended up getting him involved in a mess that he had to resign over!
SIG HEIL, I LIKE PLUMBERS!!!, BUSH!!!
If you''re an American, you want Obama to be successful and be a good President, even if you didn''t vote for him. You better hope he does well, because he''s in the unenviable position of taking the reins under the worst set of circumstances in history. You may not have voted for him, but to hope for his failure is to hope for your own.
Posted by nocore at 01:07 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Here we go. He hasn''t even been sworn in yet and his supporters are already blaming someone else for problems with his transition. It is the Obama transition team not the Clinton transition team. Is passing the buck what we should expect for the next four years?
Posted by tj217 at 01:13 PM : Nov 21, 2008
So who are the Democrats declaring war against next? I though they hated wars?
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Posted by Rowdydfw -------------
Yet another bitter republican who forgot to take their medication this morning. See? This is why we need national health !
Two out of three Americans now have an unfavorable view of Republicans, shall we go for 100%?
Two out of three Americans now have an unfavorable view of Republicans, shall we go for 100%?
Posted by WingnutsBlow at 01:23 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Stop making up statistics. The election is over so you dems can stop spouting lies.
Posted by keystonebull at 01:34 PM : Nov 21, 2008
He tapped him alright!
Is passing the buck what we should expect for the next four years?
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Posted by redbds at 01:17 PM : Nov 21, 2008
It sure looks like it so far. At least on these boards.
Obama is brilliant and I remain hopeful (I didnt vote for him because I had so little information to "vet" him with). Perhaps he will make some good changes for our country.
But the congress and many of the Clinton Dems are traditional finger pointers. The best example I have is Nancy Pelosi at the time she spoke for the first Wall Street bailout. Finger in the air speaking of the "Bush" problems when she had already been Speaker of the House for two years.
Finger pointing is not pointing the way.
Posted by ThinTheHerd2 at 01:42 PM : Nov 21, 2008
You can clll Bush an idiot all day if that is what makes you happy. You can disagree with his economic policy and even the war in Iraq. But, I''m so thankful that he was the president on 9/11/01. I don''t think anyone else could have done as well as hed did in the face of that disaster.
Posted by redbds
Yeah, he did a great job ignoring the intelligence BEFORE 9/11. Of course, the intelligence pointed to his buddies, the Saudis, so he certainly didn''t want to anger them.
Posted by nanc12 at 01:48 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Stop practicing revisionist history. The Saudies had nothing to do with 9/11. And don''t geve me that 14 of them were Saudi citizens ***. That has nothing to do with anything.
Posted by nanc12
You must be talking about Bill Clinton since he knew in 1996 terrorist were training to be pilots, and did nothing. Was totally incompetent in trying to kill/capture Osama.
Posted by keystonebull at 01:51 PM : Nov 21, 2008
You are wasting your time with that one. He thinks the campaign is still going on.
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Posted by ThinTheHerd2 at 01:42 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Im not going to discuss with you if it involves name calling. Here''s my last attempt for civil discussion.
Lets not revisit all of the campaign either, we have both voted and its over. But here is the answer to your question. I have a LOT of information about McCain and his record. Some good, some bad. Liked some of what he said, not others. But only know that Obama is smart and charismatic. Many of his supporters (not all) are often angry venomous people. Smart isnt good if it doesnt include love of our country AND its citizens.
Posted by klunder3 at 01:52 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Shouldn''t you be working for that $80,000 instead of posting in this discussion thread? Are you really earning that salary? Are you serving the community by being on this site?
"Shouldn''''t you be working for that $80,000 instead of posting in this discussion thread? Are you really earning that salary? Are you serving the community by being on this site?"
Dear redbs:
I''m on my lunch break, not that it''s any of your business in the first place how I schedule my work day. So do yourself a favor, and don''t worry about it, OK?
Posted by Rowdydfw
Yes, actually I and the rest of America quite enjoyed Tina Fey''s impression of Sarah Palin. I''m so glad you were obsessed with SNL and made it must see tv for us.
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