President Obama's Cabinet predictions

Posted: 11/5/08 at 9:20am

Now don't you wish he'd measured those drapes already? So much to do, so little time. We're supposed to hear his first picks this week, but why wait?

Chief of Staff: Rahm Emmanual- supposedly already a done deal.

Defense: Chuck Hagel- that bipartisan thing

Secretary of State: Bill Richardson.

I'd love to see Dick Durbin in the cabinet but he'd also be a great Senate Majority leader.

Anyone got any other ideas?

[madbrian]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 2:58pm

It's not a Cabinet position, but various websites are confirming that Rahm Emanuel has accepted the Chief of Staff job.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 2:59pm

thoughts on Rahm Emanuel?

Posted: 11/5/08 at 3:45pm

He was my congressman- I love him!

[Calvin]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 4:04pm

Transportation -- Oberstar
Updated On: 11/5/08 at 04:04 PM

[blueroses]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 4:22pm

Attorney General - brdlwyr

[javero]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 4:35pm

edited: I'll be happy if he taps Bill Richardson to be his Secretary of State. That's the perfect choice. Richardson needs to make a b-line for South America and work at stopping that drift to the far left. We gotta at least get along with folks in the same hemisphere.

For some reason, I see John Kerry penciled into the AG slot.

I'm certain Ed Rendell's in the mix as well. He's gotta hook up David Axelrod, David Plouffe and Dr. Susan Rice (the other Dr. Rice). Kathleen Sebelius will probably nab Sec of Agriculture.

Janet Napolitano should definitely go after McCain's Senate seat two years out.

The million dollar question is who will be Howard Dean's successor as Chairman of the DNC? Obama's facing a host of challenges and all House seats come up for reelection in just two years along with a good swath of the Senate.

If Obama is anywhere near successful by mid-term, the Dems could finally pick up the 60 seats in the Senate. I suspect that Senators Mel Martinez of FL and John McCain of AZ (or his GOP replacement) will be vulnerable. There are a couple of other scenarios that could give the Dems the 60 Senate seats in 2010 as well.

But, there is very little margin for error. Obama-Biden and the Dems have to deliver quickly to consolidate their position in time for the mid-term elections.

Updated On: 11/6/08 at 04:35 PM

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 5:12pm

Caroline Kennedy should have a position in his administration.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 5:17pm

Prior to Obama's speech at the last DNC which really brought him to that national level, I thought Emanuel would be the "one". I love him, too, Joe.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 6:16pm

i just read an article today quoting the infamous "anonymous sources" that actually mention John Kerry as a choice for Secretary of State.

My governor, Jon Corzine, has mentioned he'd be interested in working in an Obama administration. Maybe Attorney General?

[ProfessorG]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 6:35pm

Rahm actually turned down a scholarship to the Joffrey ballet.
He would be terrific. They're also talking Robert kennedy Jr. for
Environmental Protection. One or two radicals are always a good idea. By the way, has anyone seen 'OBAMA GIRL'S MAMA?" If this isn't the most outrageously funny spoof you've even seen, I don't know what is. This Ivana Fukiyama is lusciously hilarious and the old lady, Nana Fazuli is a scream. Great music. it's on You Tube.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 6:43pm

Who did you used to be?

[Jon]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 7:08pm

Caroline Kennedy has been discussed for Sec. of Education.

John Kerry also up for Sec. of State.

[javero]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 5:38am

There are three things about Emanuel that gave me pause at first. I'll be honest here.

First, I was a little concerned that he'd be in a position to tilt the delicate Israel-Palestine balance too far in the direction of Israel. I don't claim to have all the answers about the ongoing conflict but recognize that one false move on the part of the Obama administration could further destabilize the region at a time when an unpopular occupation of Iraq is still in play.

Second, it bothered me that Obama would consider the unofficial Democratic attack dog and Bill Clinton-holdover for that post. I kept questioning myself if the Dems would be best served by a Democratic version of Karl Rove in a real position of power. Both Rove and Emanuel are as cunning as the dickens. GOP Chief of Staffs prior to Dubya wielded a boatload of power. Folks in that slot also tend of have a short shelf life due to the demands.

Finally, it bothered me that to date no woman has been named Chief of Staff to a President. That position is referred to as the 'Gatekeeper' in political circles. It has been held by the likes of Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and James Baker amongst others prior to becoming fixtures in other cabinet positions.

Then it occurred to me that I was overreacting probably due to my unacknowledged prejudices. The Chief of Staff position is not for a shrinking violet. Emanuel fits the bill in every way imaginable. What sealed the deal for me was when I witnessed Dick Morris starting his smear campaign against Emanuel last night on Bill O'Reilly's show.

Morris painted Emanuel as a self-indulgent opportunist extraordinaire. What's amazing about Morris' assessment of Emanuel is that toe-sucking troll Morris himself is branded the same way by folks on both sides of the aisle. As naive as this may seem, wherever Dick Morris goes the Dems need to take the opposite tack.

Both Morris and Joe Lieberman should disappear under the cover of night, hint, hint.

Rahm Emanuel is just what the doctor ordered!

[wink]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 7:16am

Emanuel makes me uneasy for the first two reasons you mentioned, javero. I don't want Obama making any percieved missteps so soon.

I'm not sure I agree with any Caroline Kennedy appointments. Maybe this is MY misperception, but she a little remote for me.

[madbrian]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 9:44am

Politico.com is reporting that Robert Gibbs will be named Press Secretary. Oh well, I was hoping Rachel Maddow would get the job.

As for Emanuel, he seems to fit the model that was the hallmark of the Obama campaign - discipline and consitency of message.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 9:59am

First, I was a little concerned that he'd be in a position to tilt the delicate Israel-Palestine balance too far in the direction of Israel.

What's brilliant about the choice is that it instantly nullifies the ridiculous Obama-as-stealth-terrorist meme the Republicans have been pushing: You've got a black President (with a Muslim-sounding middle name) and a fierce lefty Jew (with Israeli roots) guiding America back to the role of Middle East peacemaker.

It's perfect.

(He was a ballet dancer? Really?)

[madbrian]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 10:02am

It's important to remember that, strictly speaking, Chief of Staff is not a policy position, though of course, Emanuel will wield influence.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 10:04am

I actually heard on the news that Corzine might be made secretary of treasury, I believe. And oddly, all the people being mentioned here, have been mentioned on the news too. And I also heard that Obama might bring some republicans into the mix too.

[madbrian]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 10:06am

I hold Corzine in low regard, but at least that job would get him out of NJ.