Obama administration: The front runners

07 November 2008

With two wars in motion, a national economy in recession and a financial sector collapse that seeks urgent remedy, all attention is now focused on the likely composition of the new administration that will take charge of the various organs of the United States government on 20 January 2009.

Given the nature of these crises, economic, national security and state  positions are expected to be announced early in order to let incumbents get a handle on their assignments early on. 

The White House
Before governmental appointments any president-elect would like to ensure the appointment of his personal staff that oversee his functioning from the White House and are his links to the various organs of government, legislature and the outside world. In this regard Barack Obama has already made an early move appointing Rahm Emanuel to the position of chief of staff. Other crucial White House appointments which are expected shortly are those of Robert Gibbs as press secretary and David Axelrod as senior advisor, a post previously held by Karl Rove in the Bush administration.

Economic
Given the nature of the economic crisis, with the financial sector already collapsed and the economy sliding inexorably towards recession, if not already in it, for well on a year, the selection of the next Treasury secretary is probably the most awaited appointment.

Among the front runners are Lawrence Summers, Timothy Geithner, and Paul Volker.

Larry Summers was Treasury secretary under Clinton and more recently was president of Harvard University where he embarrassed himself on occasion with outspoken comments. His credentials for the job are impeccable and his international experience a decided advantage in dealing with the global nature of the crisis.