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Who Might Be on an Obama Cabinet?

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By Garrett M. Graff

>>Read our profile on Barack Obama, The Legend of Barack Obama.

With Barack Obama possibly on his way to becoming the Democratic nominee for president, speculation abounds as to who might make up an Obama Cabinet.

While the role of the Cabinet has declined under President Bush—many department heads are virtually unknown inside and outside the Beltway—signs say Obama would take a different approach. Obama has surrounded himself with strong and opinionated advisers, and odds are that his Cabinet appointments would be more than window-dressing.

Secretary of State and national-security adviser? Obama has relied on four familiar Washington names: former national-security advisers Zbigniew Brzezinski (Jimmy Carter) and Anthony Lake (Bill Clinton), former Clinton assistant secretary of State Susan Rice, and former Navy secretary Richard Danzig. Obama has recently distanced himself from Brzezinski, a controversial figure in the Jewish community. Retired general Anthony Zinni, if he doesn’t end up on the ticket as vice president, could also be a player.

Greg Craig, the Williams & Connolly partner who defended President Clinton in his impeachment trial, has been a vocal Obama supporter. He has experience at the State Department and has been a defense and foreign-policy adviser to Senator Ted Kennedy.

Two wild cards on the Obama foreign-policy team: Samantha Power, the Pulitzer-winning human-rights researcher and author, helped tutor Obama in foreign policy but resigned after comments where she called Hillary Clinton a “monster.” And Sarah Sewall, also a Harvard researcher, wrote the introduction to General David Petraeus’s counterinsurgency handbook, now the bible of US forces in the Middle East. Either might take a leading role on the National Security Council or at the State Department or Pentagon.

A top candidate for attorney general would be rising-star congressman Artur Davis, a Harvard-educated Alabaman who worked as a civil-rights lawyer before becoming an assistant US Attorney and then winning election to the House in 2002.

On the economic front, Obama relies on a handful of academics likely to make the leap into government if he wins. The University of Chicago’s Austan Goolsbee, who writes the Economic Scene column for the New York Times, seems a shoo-in for the policy-focused Council on Economic Advisers, where under President Bush Glenn Hubbard became a powerful force. Harvard pension expert Jeffrey Liebman would likely be headed to the politically focused National Economic Council, where Robert Rubin got his start in the Clinton White House. A third name on Obama’s economic team is David Cutler, a Harvard health economist who served on both councils under Clinton.

There isn’t a clear front-runner for Treasury secretary, which could be good news for former secretary and Harvard president Larry Summers, who has been not-so-quietly campaigning to return to his old post. Timothy F. Geithner, head of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, would be a solid choice for Treasury.

Another stratagem for keeping financial markets calm would be to keep Henry Paulson, who has earned the respect of many Democrats, in office for a year or two.

Two Hillary Clinton backers who could wind up in an Obama White House are former Goldman Sachs executive and assistant Treasury secretary Gary Gensler and Covington & Burling’s Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic-policy chief and deputy Treasury secretary under Clinton.

Cassandra Butts, a former Dick Gephardt aide and Obama Harvard Law classmate who has been at the senator’s side since he came to Washington, would likely end up at least as director of the Domestic Policy Council. Globalization expert and Georgetown professor Daniel Tarullo might become US trade representative.

John Edwards, who preached about poverty and healthcare in his presidential campaign, could land in the Cabinet at a place like Health and Human Services. Former Georgia senator Max Cleland, who headed the Veterans Administration under Carter, might take the upgraded post of secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Three Republicans Obama has mentioned as possible Cabinet members are Chuck Hagel, Dick Lugar, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In the West Wing, Obama’s staff would probably include the people who have been at his side throughout his rise to power: top communications strategist Robert Gibbs, speechwriter Jon Favreau, and policy guru Chris Lu, another Harvard Law classmate.

Top strategist David Axelrod likely would avoid the mistake Karl Rove made and remain outside the White House. Spokesman Bill Burton has been with Obama since the start of the campaign and, if he doesn’t burn out, might be headed for the James Brady Press Briefing Room.

One open question: Would Obama keep Howard Dean as chair of the party? Dean is beloved by state and local leaders and could be an effective advocate for Obama outside the Beltway.

Related:
The Legend of Barack Obama

But, what if Hillary Clinton gets the nomination?

A possible McCain Cabinet.

This article is from the May 2008 issue of The Washingtonian. For more articles from the issue, click here.

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Comments

Good choices!!!!!
Africa’s highest-ranking diamond official is now viewed as the top contender to lead the Bureau of African Affairs if Obama gets elected in November. André Action Diakité Jackson, the chairman of Africa’s largest holding company joined his team one month before Obama announced his candidacy. Jackson is currently a foreign-policy advisor and is well-connected to the African and Arab political machines. He is considered to be an incredibly valuable asset to the team and will definitely have the freedom to contribute in any capacity.
Nigerian businessman, Kase Lawal (who initially endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination) may also be considered for the position as well, however, his chances were drastically decresed when he ran into legal problems in Nigeria.

Posted by: J. Brooks | Jun 11, 2008 08:45:48 AM

Jim Webb shoud be at the top of the list for Vice President, If he passes the background check(vetting) no need to look anywhere else. JIM WEBB for V.P

I like Joe Bidden or John Kerryas Secretary of State. One of them should stay in the Senate, most likely Kerry because of Kenedy’s health.

John Edwards as Athorney General

I saw someone mentioned Susan Rice, that’d be great to have her in an Obama administration

Posted by: jacques | Jun 05, 2008 07:15:36 AM

Obama should hit hard with a Dream Team cabinet that includes:
- Bill Clinton, Secretary of State -- "unpresidented" (bad pun) but any rules against former presidents serving in Cabinet posts?
- Colin Powell, Secretary of Defense -- He’s a good military man, and he knows what Rumsfeld did wrong, so he han help undo it.
- Al Gore, Secretary of the Environment -- Isn’t it time that this become a Cabinet-level position?
... Please add some more ideas to the "Dream Team"!!

Posted by: Ray | Jun 04, 2008 09:36:26 AM

Also John Kerry could be secretary of the interior too possibly

Posted by: Jeff Dearman | Jun 04, 2008 09:29:19 AM

I’d like to see Hillary Clinton as the Secretary of State as she seems to have a good insight on foreign affairs and knows most of the world leaders.

I think John Ewards, Biden, or Richardson would be best for Vice President

And - I think Secretary of the Interior should be Al Gore if he’s interested

And Secretary of Defense he might want to look into former General Colin Powell.

Posted by: Jeff Dearman | Jun 04, 2008 09:28:25 AM

I would like to see some of the early Bush National Security folks who were hold-overs from the Clinton administration and got burned in that first year or two by the new Republican administration.

Someone like Rand Beers as National Security Adviser and/or Roger Cressey at Homeland Security or as Obama’s key terrorism guy.

Posted by: Wayne | May 31, 2008 11:14:27 AM

What about Anthony Zinni as Obama’s VP?

Posted by: John | May 26, 2008 12:25:57 PM

These are my choices for an Obama Cabinet:

VP: Kathleen Sebeilus ( Midwestern Governor, woman)
Sec. of State: Bill Richardson ( Latino, got the cred.)
Sec. of Def: Joe Biden, although Chuck Hagel could do
Treasury Sec: Ken Chenault (CEO of American Express, african american, a first)
Attorney General: Eric Holder (former Asst. Atty. Gen.
African American, a first)
NSA: Dr. Susan Rice
Veterans Secretary: Max Cleland
Labor Secretary: John Edwards
Commerce Secretary: Harold Ford Jr.
Transporation Secretary: Rep. Xavier Becerra
Education Secretary: Linda Sanchez
Health and Human Services:???

Posted by: jason | May 21, 2008 06:51:05 AM

One name that has not been mentioned, one that gave him an early boost, was Bill Richardson: helps with the demographics of the SW, and damn competent in international affairs-- VP or Sec of State. Despite Colin Powell’s carrying water for GWB, I believe him to be competent and he deserves an intelligent president who will let him be himself. Sebelius would also be an
excellent VP choice.
[Re McCain’s choices ... poor Joe Lieberman is so desperate he would sell his soul to the devil -- twice -- for any crumb that falls from John’s table, not that John is going to be sitting at the table.]

Posted by: Ferrel A | May 18, 2008 10:47:22 PM

I would like to see placed in position an office
near the Cabinet of HRC if she is the nominee: that of PROPAGANDA MISINFORMATION & CHAOS to be headed
by the Commander of Chaos Institute - RASH LIMBAUGH. The use of this office will be to tickle the people into thinking, especially the elected people. Rash with his nonsense talk show will do very well in that cabinet office!!!!!!!

Posted by: MAJIMOTTO | May 17, 2008. | May 18, 2008 04:58:26 PM

I agree with the earlier comment to call Colin Powell here is a man who I belive was royaly shafted by the Bush Administration he would be a great asset to Sen Obama with his knowledge of foreign affairs especially in the Middle east region another stint at Secretary of state would not be a bad choice in my opinion.I am sure Sen Obama has already put this gentleman on his short list Colin Powell continues to impress me with his compassion and need for face to face communication to deal with some of the serois issues facing the US today

Posted by: James C | May 16, 2008 10:33:18 AM

I’d love to know who he would pick to undo the increasing disaster HUD has become--I think it’s doable. But the last guy who had potential was Jack Kemp--and because he was’nt awfully partisan they took him to the woodshed.

Bring back Jack Kemp (maybe)!

Posted by: Kristyna | May 14, 2008 09:47:24 AM

I have been impressed by the wisdom of the comments made by CNN commentator David Gergen. Obama might do well to put him in an advisory position.

Posted by: MikeBravo | May 13, 2008 08:05:40 PM

Well, first off, the obvious ones: Tom Harkin as Sec. of Agriculture, Wesley Clark as National Security Advisor, Max Cleland as Sec. of Veterans Affairs, Jim Webb as Sec. of Homeland Security, Tom Daschle for Chief of Staff. Then, you can just build on from there.

Posted by: Tyler A (15) | May 12, 2008 08:42:49 PM

I’ve been immensely impressed with every one I’ve seen, heard, or read about from Obama’s campaign...whatever their color. It’s a keenly sharp group. I have such confidence in Obama’s ability to pull together the best of the best...unlike Bush who pulled together the best at getting him votes, sucking up to his delusions of grandeur, or easily manipulated. God, how refreshing to have a real government for a change.

Posted by: Carol | May 12, 2008 05:03:46 PM

Bill Burton is black? I don’t think so. Rep. Artur Davis of AL is and he would be a great AG, so would Eric Holder who was assistant AG under Janet Reno. You forgot Lincoln Chafee of RI who is now an Independent, I see him in the cabinet along with Sen. Chuck Hagel who is also being mentioned as a possible VP. Senator Obama will have the best and the brightest in his cabinet, that I am sure of.

Posted by: Carolyn Grace | May 12, 2008 04:22:48 PM

There’s every reason to believe that if she’s not picked for the Veep (and I sincerely hope she’s not), Gov. Sebelius will run for Sam Brownback’s Senate seat since he’s voluntarily term-limiting and he wants to be Gov. She’d be a whole lot more helpful in the Senate than in the West Wing.

Posted by: Larry McD | May 12, 2008 10:21:13 AM

Majority black? That is not a criteria. Smart, qualified, inteligent and savy. Those are some of the things to look at; A rainbow cabinet if they are qualified to do the job for the American people. An Obama Cabinet will be one of top caliber, respected people who are prepared for the job.

Posted by: Mike | May 12, 2008 09:55:53 AM

Bush was willing to accept almost anybody, regardless of their lack of qualifications, to serve as his advisors because almost everybody was smarter and more qualified than he was, and because their advice would always be secondary to political considerations. In Obama’s case, his advisors will have a much higher standard to meet in that Obama will be counting on not only their qualifications and intelligence, but also their advice which will be used to shape government policy as opposed to political gain.

Posted by: Osage | May 11, 2008 11:18:41 AM

Maybe dial down the caffeine a little John D, prepositions are a bit below the rage threshold.

Posted by: jaf | May 11, 2008 10:54:30 AM

MaliK D --

Obama does not have a "majority Black" family, so what makes you think he will have a "majority Black" cabinet? As far as Black participation, I would rather he make his choices like George W. did (cronies who were Black) than how Bill Clinton did (hiring Black and Hispanic people who he did not know solely to make the cabinet "look like America". And you will not see a Clarence Thomas type selection (i.e., the best Black conservative, as opposed to the best candidate or even the best Black candidate) with Obama. Do not expect political hacks like Clinton chose (Babbitt, Espy, Cisneros, Reno, etc.); expect more people from academia and the private sector.

Posted by: B-Rob | May 11, 2008 10:01:02 AM

Poor choices indeed. None of Mr. Graff’s selections (for an Obama cabinet) are likely. I suggest he call Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan and Ben Bradley to get the real scoop. He must have been under a short deadline and undr sleep deprivation when he sent this... list to his editor.

Posted by: Dude | May 10, 2008 02:23:15 PM

I am Black and I believe that Sen. Obama when he is President will make the kinds of decisions that will benefit America. He must be trusted to surround himself with strong, and capable individuals who will challenge him to be all that he can be. If his cabinet is technicolor,
rainbow colored, non-corrupt, pro- American I will pray for God’s Blessings for all

Posted by: CPD | May 09, 2008 09:54:46 PM

First of all, the title is idiotic. One is "in" a cabinet, not "on" a cabinet. The author is a moron

Posted by: John D. | May 09, 2008 11:50:20 AM

Garrett you also forgot Tom Daschle. Daschle will be Obama’s "Karl Rove." And expect Gov. Ray Mabus to be a key foreign policy advisor. Samantha Power might be Ambassador to the UN. Notable Blacks: Eric Holder, Michael Strautmanis, Ron Kirk, Dana Lewis, Spencer Overton

Posted by: Major Man | May 07, 2008 03:29:02 PM

Wow. A majority black cabinet? Haven’t heard that one yet.

What faulty argument. Considering MaliK D’s logic, I ask:
Is Obama’s campaign staff comprised of ’majority Blacks’? Have we (black people) donated 90% of Obama’s campaign funds?

I could go on but the whole idea that Obama should have a majority black cabinet is just silly.

Posted by: SLM | May 07, 2008 02:16:44 PM

I’m amazed that you forget Sam Nunn. And it’s 100% certain that Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will be his VP choice or at least a cabinet position (she has reached term limits). Look for Brad Carson and General Tony McPeak to have foreign policy positions. Rising policy star Clete Johnson will be in the mix too.

Posted by: Major Man | May 07, 2008 02:13:10 PM

Bill Burton is black.

Posted by: JAX | May 07, 2008 09:19:32 AM

I’d like to alert everyone to an interesting site on this topic: "Approval Style Voting for a Potential Democratic Cabinet (and other important posts)": http://puredem.wordpress.com. This is no-nonsense, poll based speculation and worth a visit for political junkies or just fans of the democratic process.

Posted by: Phil Jamison | May 07, 2008 08:26:57 AM

Where are all the Black people? If Obama wins, he should have majority Blacks in the cabinet. We are giving him the vote with 90% margin---it is the least he could do! He’s supposed to be the candidate of change....WTF!!!

Posted by: MaliK D | May 07, 2008 07:05:04 AM

Who Might Be on an Obama Cabinet?

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