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Who Might Be in an Obama Cabinet?

By Garrett M. Graff   Published Wednesday, May 07, 2008

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

>>Since Obama entered the political scene, we've been keeping an eye on him. Who will be on his cabinet? What motivates him? Will he change the fashion of DC? We answer the important questions.

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

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 atricle indeed. thanks for sharing

Posted by: Michael Jordan Shoes, Oct 05, 2009 11:04:23 PM

i dont no why u dint post my comment, but that was mean!

Posted by: ashleigh, Jan 16, 2009 06:06:39 PM

Undecided

It’s so boring
Knowing everything.
Never being wrong is worse
Than always being right. But
Which is which?
With this, I’m wrong.
Because school goes an hour too long.
It’s so boring having all the answers.
So, let’s play a little game…

Now I’m always wrong
And I love being right
Don’t ask me what’s wrong
Ask me what’s right,
And I’ma tell you what’s life.
‘Cause now I’m unsure
And I don’t know no more.

Posted by: ashleigh, Jan 16, 2009 06:04:29 PM

OBAMA! OBAMA! Now it’s your turn! ".....-"
that’s the sound you’ll hear when he gets inugurated.

Posted by: dezzi jr., Jan 16, 2009 06:01:33 PM

obama is about to become president.no matter wht you think, it’s not your decision. let the man do his job ... he’s been doing great so far!

Posted by: dFizz, Jan 16, 2009 05:57:43 PM

Are these obama’s crew or Bush’s?

Posted by: Selna Star, Jan 12, 2009 03:05:05 PM

Now that Barack Obama resigned to his seat as Senator of Illinois, State’s governor Rod Blagojevich has ruined and had gave Illinois a bad name. The American political climate, which had been so optimistic of late, has started to get ugly again. Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has likely seen his last payday for awhile, along with his chief of staff, John Harris. Both were arrested by the FBI on federal corruption charges on Tuesday morning. Normally, a person in such a high position getting busted for something that big is shocking enough, but it gets worse in that he is the second governor if Illinois in a row to get arrested on federal criminal charges. His predecessor, George Ryan, was arrested a few years ago, on corruption charges as well. Blagojevich evidently assumed that he was King of Illinois and was trying to literally sell the Senate seat recently vacated by Barack Obama. According to Illinois law, the governor determines who fills the seat, and Blagojevich figured that it was a quick way to make a buck or two. Well, it would be an understatement to say he got a little greedy. The FBI compiled a 76 page indictment against Harris and Blagojevich. He was caught on wiretap last month, and the FBI waited to get even more evidence against him, which they did. He claims that everything he did and said was legal. Residents of the state of Illinois will just have to wait and see. The climate in DC appears to be hopeful for now, but darker clouds are on the horizon for Blagojevich and his buddy, Harris. It’s likely they’ve seen their last paydays in office. Click to read more on Blagojevich courtesy of Personal Money Store’s <a title="Read more about Rod Blagojevich Payday Office" rev="vote-for" href="http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2008/12/09/rod-blagojevich-payday-office/">Payday Loan News</a>.

Posted by: Lisa_O, Dec 12, 2008 09:39:15 PM

Have you seen http://www.obamascabinet.org - while their predictions may not be very realistic, this was entertaining - be sure to click on the clock and the ash tray.

Posted by: mimi, Dec 09, 2008 10:30:55 AM

A lot of black people didnnt vote for Obama

Posted by: Mitchel Doybe, Dec 05, 2008 07:23:08 AM

i think obama should put well educated and high society people in the cabnet because it will benafit for everyone white or black we should stop judging by the color of the skin.who ever that is tring to make or econimy better should be in his cabnet.we should not just fill the cabnet up wit black people just because a lot of black people voted for.did you know a lot of white people voted for him also?we should make better decision on what we say and how we say it.

Posted by: ASHLEY ST.JOHN, Dec 04, 2008 01:43:02 PM

i think obama should put well educated and high society people in the cabnet because it will benafit for everyone white or black we should stop judging by the color of the skin.who ever that is tring to make or econimy better should be in his cabnet.we should not just fill the cabnet up wit black people just because a lot of black people voted for.did you know a lot of white people voted for him also?we should make better decision on what we say and how we say it.

Posted by: ashley st.john, Dec 04, 2008 01:41:39 PM

i think obama should put well educated and high society people in the cabnet because it will benafit for everyone white or black we should stop judging by the color of the skin.who ever that is tring to make or econimy better should be in his cabnet.we should not just fill the cabnet up wit black people just because a lot of black people voted for.did you know a lot of white people voted for him also?we should make better decision on what we say and how we say it.

Posted by: ashley, Dec 04, 2008 01:38:34 PM

The newly elected US President, Mr. Obama is beginning to assemble his cabinet and staff, and like any other high level position in the government, the nominees for these jobs must be qualified, and judged to not be a threat in any way. The applicant screening questions ask things like everything the applicant as well as their spouse(s) have done in the past 10 years, any and all publications such as books, publications in journals, letters to editors, and anything posted on the internet, and any and all aliases used on the internet. Also, the applicant must reveal any and all information on any private website that they use, such as MySpace or Facebook, which they use in either personal or professional capacity, to rule out any and all conflicts of interest. The application and depth of information to be able to serve this new commander in chief is so intrusive, he might as well offer them free credit repair as a bonus for having to reveal everything on their application. Click to read more on <a title="What is Credit Repair?" href="http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/what-is-credit-repair/">Credit Repair</a>.





Posted by: Lisa P, Nov 20, 2008 10:21:33 PM

Joe Biden is Obama’s VP, remember? He has great experience, and is knowledgeable in many areas. Why the talk on someone new?

Posted by: kt, Nov 20, 2008 07:08:06 PM

PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA
AS A BLACK MAN, AND A MOVIE PRODUCER LIVING IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO I HAVE TO SAY, I WOULD FEEL VERY BETRAYED BY YOU, IF YOU SELECTED HILLARY CLINTON OVER GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON FOR SEC.
OF STATE!!!

GOVERNOR RICHARDSON WAS THE PIVOT THAT CAUSE YOU TO WIN THE HISPANIC VOTE! HE TURNED HIS BACK ON THE CLINTON’S TO SUPPORT A MAN WITH A VISION FOR THE FUTURE.


PLEASE DON’T TURN THAT VISION INTO POLITICAL FAVORS TO PLEASE THE POWERS THAT BE!!!! NO ONE HAS MORE EXPERIENCE IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS THAN BILL RICHARDSON; FORMER "U.S. AMBASSADOR", NEGOTIATING TO FREE AMERICANS UNJUSTLY HELD IN PRISONS AROUND THE GLOBE.


NOT TO OFFER HIM THAT POSITION WOULD BE A DISSERVICE TO THE COUNTRY, TO HIM, AND TO YOURSELF!!!! DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!!

IF WE WANTED A 3RD.
CLINTON ADMINASTRATION, WE WOULD HAVE VOTED IN HILLARY!!!!

"CHAANGE, NOT ASSIMILATION "

BENJAMIN






Posted by: BENJAMIN, Nov 20, 2008 08:56:21 AM

The most inteligent and qualified person in the Bush administration has been Condoleesa Rice. Here we have a very qualified and experianced Secretary of State. If Obama wants to cross party lines, she is by far the best qualified Republican. Rice is respected around the world and with the right administration support she cold become one of the best Secretary of State in history

Posted by: Rick B, Nov 14, 2008 06:19:10 PM

Why are we still looking at color?!!
Let’s urge him to pick the best people for the job.

Posted by: lorayne, Nov 11, 2008 11:46:43 AM

Obama should appoint alot of qualified blacks to his cabinet. So far all I see him with is a bunch of white people. Prove Ralph Nader wrong Obama, don’t be an uncle tom when you get into office!!!

Posted by: noella, Nov 10, 2008 08:31:02 PM

Trust me on Kerry being Sec of State...it comes from a reliable source and has been planned since Kerry endorsed him.

Posted by: Jeanne, Nov 09, 2008 09:24:29 PM

BO is the kind of gentelmen who will pick who will do the us the most good plus someone who is a team player. look the guy isn’t only the first black but the first first gemeration pres since the founding fathers.one of the things i like best about oboma is, he pocks fun at himself and

then llaughs so other won’t be embariced if they laugh and feel strange. the man seems to understand people well. he seems to be a moral man and aloyal man. he haaaaad enough sence to ignoe what people said about his friends. first the old black minister lived though ugly trimes in this country. so people hanged, tarred and feathered. arrested only because of the color of gtheir skin look at oj he only got off because of his fame. now he will be in jail for life. brains have nothing to do with color. ie paul robson, geoge washington carver. powel,king .kking even said he,d be killed by some racest. give BO a chance

Posted by: themesong, Nov 09, 2008 02:12:28 PM

Dr. Howard Dean for Health & Human Service along with these others:

Dr. Susan Rice - Secretary of State
Chuck Hagel - Secretary of Defense
Gen Wes Clark (Retired) - Homeland Security
(John) Chris Inglis - Director of National Intelligence
Jesse Jackson Jr - EEOC
Harold Ford Jr. - Secretary of Transportation
Tom Kaine - Attorney General
Lt. Gen Russell Honore (Retired) - Director of FEMA
Tom Daschle - Secretary of the Interior
Dr. Nancy Grasmick (State Superintendent of Schools, Maryland) Secretary of Education
General Eric Shinseki (Retired) - National Security Advisor
Gov Kathleen Sabines - Secretary of HUD
Caroline Kennedy - UN Ambassador
RFK Jr. - Director EPA
Michael Powell - Secretary of Transportation
Debbie Wasserman Shultz - White House Counsel
Max Cleland - Veterans Affairs
and
Suzanne Malveaux - White House Press Secretary

Posted by: Ernest of Arnold, Nov 06, 2008 06:39:26 PM

I also seriously doubt that Hillary will be asked to fill any cabinet positions. I am still a Hillary supporter and wrote her in on my ballot, but there is too much water under that bridge. She was just supposed to help him get elected so people didn’t blame her (for whatever reason) if he didn’t win. I know he will be calling her and Bill for constant advice, like he and McCain did over the mortgage crisis, but if he didn’t vet her as VP he clearly has a problem with her superior experience being recognized over his. And for those people on here that are still trying to fill the VP slot for Obama, he already has Joe Biden, remember? He was on the ticket. It’s not vacant.

Posted by: Jeanne, Nov 06, 2008 08:33:45 AM

BO’s Sec of State position was already set to be given to Kerry when Kerry gave BO his endorsement over a year ago. I don’t know why they are trying to play like it’s a cliff-hanger. That is old news. Kerry would be foaming at the mouth if he isn’t given the job.

Posted by: Jeanne, Nov 06, 2008 08:06:21 AM

Secretary of Transportation - Mike Dukakis.
It makes sense if you look at his recent roll at Amtrak and other transportation related work. He brings no agenda, no ego, and has actual transportation experience, complemented by his leadership as Gov and political savvy.

Posted by: Frankrt, Nov 06, 2008 07:59:04 AM

I would like to see Wesley Clark head the Dept. of Defense, and I would like to see Colin Powell at the National Security Agency.

For the Environmental Protection Agency, a good move might be Al Gore, if he will accept.

Posted by: Kimberly, Nov 06, 2008 07:58:35 AM

This is in response to whiteboys09....
I love how it has been ok for whites to dominate leadership positions in Schools, Government Offices, Corporate America or in Court Chambers, but as soon as there is a Black Judge, or Black Politician or Black CEO, all of a sudden, it’s time to be "fair and balanced". Why is it that some whites feel they are the only ones who get to decide all of the rules no matter whether they are in power or not?

Despite my rantings, President Obama will pick candidates who are the best in thier fields to fill cabinet positions critical to getting our Nation back on track and to reclaim our moral authority throughout the world because that’s what our country deserves. And he will not lock out talent through race like others have done through out our Nations 200 year history.

Posted by: David G , Nov 05, 2008 07:22:33 PM

hilary clinton= secretary of state

Posted by: kati, Nov 05, 2008 06:02:48 PM

Obama shouldn’t have an all black cabinet. People believe this because it is a time of change, but it is simply just another presidential election. Whites should be included in the cabinet too, because he is also being supported by a large number of whites along with blacks. I thought that balcks wanted equality but now they are segregating themselves again by wanting to make it a point that THEY are all appionted to the government. If they wanted all of us to be equal they wouldn’t care what kind of people Obama put in his cabinet, as long as they are qualified for the job.

Posted by: whiteboys09, Nov 04, 2008 06:36:20 AM

Ray Kurzweil for Chief Technology Officer

Posted by: Ray, Oct 29, 2008 08:46:14 PM

I still don’t understand picking Biden for VP, he voted for the war. period... Has anyone ever heard of Russ Feingold, didn’t vote for the war.. and has his name all over legislation.

i’d only understand biden for purely political and personal reasons... as in Hillary would bump the ticket, but not her for personal reasons.. not Feingold because he doesn’t want it, or Obabma doesn’t want a Jew or another midwest state on the ticket... i hope feingold just didn’t want the job.

...and those suggestsing Kerry, Clinton, Kennedy... WTF! WT..mutha F?
how about a 1960’s TV instead of Kerry (more personality, and you can turn it off) ...and Clinton, why not Lewinsky? how about people with moral judgement, and not wife cheaters. J! C!

Posted by: common sense, Oct 22, 2008 01:04:52 PM

In an unprecedented move, Barrack Obama has decided to lay all his cards on the table and let the public know who his top two cabinet picks will be if he is elected president. Visit www.zazzle.com/mark46 to see the picks.

Posted by: Mark, Oct 10, 2008 06:38:51 AM

Dr. Susan Rice deserves to be in Obama’s cabinet. Little girls will have a real role model in Susan Rice. It will be good to see a cabinet member that is female and does more than wave as she enters her plane from various countries, or as clean-up speaker for the corrupt war, justice dept.,etc. The other team doesn’t respect women. It is not enough to be brilliant, you have to express brilliance and garner respect as Dr. Susan Rice has commanded.

Posted by: lisa, Sep 25, 2008 06:24:20 AM

State:Richard Holbrooke
Defense: Sam Nunn
Interior:Brad Carson
Veterans Affairs: Max Cleland

Posted by: Neil Adler, Sep 15, 2008 12:48:00 PM

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

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Make Mine a Single: Valentine’s Parties Where You Don’t Need a Date

Who needs a stinkin’ significant other anyway? Here’s a list of parties where all the single ladies (and gentlemen) can party this Valentine’s Day weekend—and where you might even find your next soulmate. more