An uphill task for Mr. Obama ahead
With the initial euphoria of Mr. Obama's victory on 5th Nov, Wednesday, gradually fading away, bowing to glooming fears of recession, what lies ahead for Americans remains bleak and uncertain.
The top of the agenda for Mr. Obama is to address the economic downturn sparked off by the rising morgage prices and further fuelled by the the collapse of Lehman Brothers, American Insurance giant AIG and the acquisition of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by the US government, propelling the rate of global recession even faster.
All eyes are now on who Mr. Obama will be picking for his dream team. Names of his cabinet have already been circulating, and it is said that both new and old blood will be amalgamted to "reflect the country's political, geographical and racial diversity", according to Mr. Darrell West, Director of Governance Studies at Brookings Institution. Republicans are also speculated to bag several top positions.
Mr. Rahm Emanual, former Clinton advisor, has been knighted White House Chief of Staff. Mr. Emanual has been known to be tough and is held in high regard by Democrats when he aided the party's return to power in the 2006 congressional elections.
Key appointments such as the Treasury and Homeland Security would be released to the media within a day to display Mr. Obama's dedication to be on top of the situation in a time of crisis.
The most likely candidate for the Treasury job is Mr. Lawrence Summers, 53, a Harvard University economist who served former president Mr. Bill Clinton as the same post. Other picks include Mr. Timothy Geithner, Head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Mr. Paul Volcker, former Federal Reserve Chairman.
Mr. John Podesta, Clinton's Chief of Staff, Mr. Pete Rouse, Mr. Obama's chief of staff in Senate and Ms. Valerie Jarrett, a long-time friend and campaign adviser, will be heading the team to headhunt for the dream team.
The Secretary of State position forerunner is Mr. John Kerry, a Massachusetts Senator who gave Mr. Obama a major political break by offering him a prime speaking slot during the 2004 party convention. However, Mr. Obama also has a choice of tapping into the Republicans with Mr. Richard Helbrooke of Indiana or Mr. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.
Denfence Secretary Robert Gates may be asked to stay in the post. Other names includes former deputy defence secretary John Hamre, former navy secretary Richard Danzig and General Colin Powell.
Other positions include:
Commerce Secretary
Ms. Penny Pritzker, Chicago tycoon and Mr. Obama's national finance chairman
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Mr. Howard Dean, a Democratic National Committee Chairman and doctor
Head of Environmental Protection Agency
Mr. Robert F. Kennedy
Who Mr. Obama has accosted to remains unclear. Amidst the watchful eyes of Americans, Mr. Obama received his first presidential-style intelligence briefing in Chicago.
Besides the task of forming and crystallizing his new team, Mr. Obama is also burdened with the task of establishing talks and bringing diplomatic ties primarily between China, South Korea, Taiwan and Pakistan to a higher plane.
Most importantly, Mr. Obama has to deliver what he promised during the elections: Affordable healthcare for the bourgeosies, pull back of the Iraq troops, tax raises and measures to bring the economy back on rail in such abysmal outlook.
"Taking office at a time of crisi doesn't guarantee greatness, but it can be an occasion for it," said Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel.
Labels: USA Politics
