Obama White House Staff & Cabinet Appointees
Who's Who? A Guide to the Key Members in President Obama's Team
Jan 25, 2009
Chief of Staff - Rahm Emanuel
Rahm Emanuel rose to prominence as a senior advisor to President Clinton. This was preceded by his leading involvement in fundraising for the Clinton presidential election campaign, an area where he is known for his talents. In resigning his role in the House of Representatives to work in the Obama presidency, Emanuel has relinquished a career that many believe would have eventually seen him become House speaker. Leaving Congress, he was 4th most influential House Democrat. He is known for his often aggresive style, which has earned him the nickname 'Rahmbo'. Since Barack Obama was elected to the Senate in 2004, the two men have become close friends, both Chicagoans. He will bring with him to the White House proven expertise in the political sphere. Emanuel knows the workings of Congress inside out and shares a common political outlook with the President.
Secretary of State - Hilary Rodham Clinton
Clinton is widely recognised as a gifted diplomat. The former First Lady travelled the world for eight years at her husband's side. As a result she has many contacts in the international arena from meeting hundreds of foreign leaders. She has also been Senator for New York since 2000. A leading Democrat and a former rival for the Democrat nomination for president, Obama has chosen to utilise her significant political skills by appointing her to the most important cabinet role.
Senior Advisor to the President - David Axelrod
A skilled political consultant, Axelrod was instrumental to Obama's presidential election campaign. Along with Rahm Emanuel, Axelrod is credited with masterminding the Democrat gains in the 2006 Congressional elections. His ties with President Obama stretch back to 1992. Axelrod was also a prominent advisor to Obama in his successful campaign for the Senate in 2004. Their working relationship has become increasingly closer, where Obama has often consulted the advisor, even asking him to read drafts of his book, The Audacity of Hope. Indeed, Axelrod, Rahm Emanuel and Obama will establish a formidable triumvirate in the White House.
Secretary of Defense - Robert Gates
In an unprecedented decision, President Obama has opted to retain Gates as defense secretary, an appointment made by George Bush, a move that has undermined Republican criticism of Obama as just another typical liberal. Gates background includes a distinguished career in the Central Intelligence Agency, where he rose through the ranks to become CIA Director from 1991 until 1993. It is not clear how long he will remain in his post under the new White House administration, as President Obama will likely have somebody in mind for the role. However, Gates' priority role is to undertake a review of operations in Afghanistan as troop numbers will be scaled back in Iraq.
These are some of the most important roles in the new US presidency. Others include Steven Chu, the respected scientist as energy secretary, Janet Napolitano at homeland security and James L. Jones as National Security Advisor.
