For a clue about what kind of people Barack Obama would appoint, his current campaign staff is a good place to start. They are experienced, smart, and most noteworthy, his policy people are mostly moderates.
Austan Goolsbee, the University of Chicago economist who is expected to head up the Council of Economic Advisors in an Obama White House, is a centrist who supports free trade. Another campaign advisor, Jason Furman – who will likely head the National Economic Council – previously ran a centrist, pro-trade policy research group founded by former Treasury secretary Robert Rubin.
For Treasury Secretary, Obama is expected to look outside his campaign staff. The most frequently floated names are Federal Reserve Bank of New York president Timothy F. Geithner, American Express CEO Ken Chenault and former Clinton Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.
On national security, Obama has sought out advisors who, like him, believe in robust public diplomacy. His two top foreign policy advisors – Tony Lake and Susan Rice – are former Clintonites. Rice is expected to head the National Security Council and Lake is in contention for Secretary of State, along with Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. John Kerry and GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel.
Obama has preached bipartisanship during his campaign, and many expect him to appoint a few Republicans to cabinet positions. Homeland Security could be headed by Bush critic and former White House counter-terrorism advisor Richard Clarke or GOP Senator Dick Lugar.
At Defense, Obama may keep Secretary Robert Gates on board, though he is said to be considering former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Ret. Gen. Jim Jones and Bill Clinton’s Navy Secretary Richard Danzig, who serves as an advisor to the Obama campaign. Some believe California Rep. Jane Harmon could also be considered, but her strained relationship with Nancy Pelosi could make this a nonstarter.
Due the “Palin Effect,” Democrats now believe their next presidential ticket will have a woman at either the top or bottom of the ticket. Expect Obama to place women in key cabinet positions to build their resumes. Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano is on the list for Attorney General, as is Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Others in contention include Obama advisor and Clinton era Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.
Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, who is term limited, is expected to play a role in the Obama Administration after 2009.
Obama’s uber surrogate, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, will likely stay in the Senate where she can be an important ally to Obama.
White House press secretary will likely go to Robert Gibbs or Linda Douglass, and Obama will tap one of his own people – perhaps campaign manager David Plouffe – to head the DNC.