Obama builds cabinet; mends fences

Written by Sonia Morgan

The Obama transition team and the nation may be echoing a question Senator Hillary Clinton posed in her New York Speech on June 3, “I understand that a lot of people are asking: what does Hillary want? What does she want?” We are not yet sure.

Speculations are swirling as to whether Clinton will accept President-elect Barack Obama’s offer of the high profile position of Secretary of State.

Some critics are arguing that her husband, President Bill Clinton’s post-presidential activities may be a deterrent to her getting the position, but the Clinton camp is refuting those statements.

Notwithstanding, Obama’s aides since this week have been examining President Clinton’s business dealings, with emphasis on a number of his activities since leaving office.

According to a report in the New York Times, a Clinton advisor said while the New York senator is flattered by the offer, she is “agonizing over the decision”. The advisor also said she likes to be her own boss and as Secretary of State would be working for President Obama.

Other political analysts are suggesting that if she serves in the Obama cabinet, it might affect her chances of running for office again. But, Clinton’s advisers do not believe this will preclude a future presidential bid. In fact some believe that it might bolster her chances by increasing her foreign policy experience and bring her into the “Obama wing of the Democratic Party.”

While the Clintons mull over the offer, however, the Obama transition team has made announcements of other Cabinet positions. On Tuesday it was announced that Attorney Eric Holder, an African American with Barbadian descent, was selected to be Attorney General. This was followed on Wednesday by the president-elect’s choice of former Senator Tom Daschle to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Sources close to the transition team have been reported as saying that Daschle will accept the job. Earlier reports had indicated that Daschle was also being considered by Obama for Secretary of State, but with his being named to the Health and Human Services portfolio, it enhances the speculation that Clinton may accept the Secretary of State position.

The reports related to Daschle’s appointment also indicated that he negotiated that he will also serve as the White House health "czar," or point person, so that he will report directly to the incoming president.

Holder, 57, was the deputy attorney general in the Clinton administration. He is a close friend of Obama, and served as co-chairman of the president-elect’s vice-president selection team.

Mending fences

Remaining true to his mantra of bringing people together and reaching across the aisle, the president-elect on Monday extended the olive branch and met with former rival Sen. John McCain at his transition office in Chicago. The two were joined by Rahm Emanuel, Obama's incoming White House chief of staff and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, McCain's close friend.

While there is no indication that McCain will be offered a position in Obama’s cabinet, it is still wise to keep him as an ally in the Republican Party.

McCain is one of the few Republicans who are on board with Obama on the issue of closing Guantanamo, which would be to Obama’s benefit, though he can close it by executive order. But, there is the nagging issue of what to do with the detainees, once the detention center is closed. Other issues such as Gitmo, climate change and earmarks are issues on which McCain and Obama share similar views and McCain might prove helpful.

As for rogue senator Joe Lieberman, the Democrat-turned-independent, Obama has also ensured that he was not thrown out of the Caucus for his endorsement and vigorous support of McCain. Despite this, Obama is aware of his use to Democrats in the Senate and may need his vote at some point. So, Lieberman remains chairman of the Homeland Security Committee but was stripped of the chairmanship of an environment subcommittee – a veritable slap on the wrist for his transgressions.

Obama’s so-called ‘team of rivals’ that is he picking for his cabinet might seem curious, but for those who have watched him for the past two years, his choices are well thought out. He obviously understands that that it is not personal. It’s what is best for uniting the party, healing the country and presenting a different face of America to the world.

Add this article to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites