PLENTY KENNEDYS ON CABINET LIST By GEOFF EARLE in Chicago and MAGGIE HABERMAN in New York, Post Wire Services
November 6, 2008 --
President-elect Barack Obama immediately started naming his starting lineup yesterday, while rumors swirled about his Cabinet picks - including a pair of Kennedys.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was being touted yesterday as the possible administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. A New York environmental lawyer, he was among the only members of the Kennedy clan to back Hillary Rodham Clinton over Obama in the primaries - but his green credentials are seen as strong.
And picking him would likely please the New York senator - although Kennedy reportedly downplayed any level of interest.
At the same time, Caroline Kennedy's name was floated as possible ambassador to the United Nations.
But it was unclear if Caroline - JFK's daughter and one of Obama's veep vetters - has any interest in the post.
Meanwhile, Obama made his first official staff pick - offering the post of White House chief of staff to a much-disliked political street fighter, Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel.
The president-elect also selected his transition team, stocked with old friends, political allies and advisers.
Among them are John Podesta, who was President Bill Clinton's chief of staff; Pete Rouse, a former aide to Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota; and Valerie Jarrett, a longtime pal.
Also advising Obama are Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, an early supporter; William Daley, a former commerce secretary; and Carol Browner, former head of the EPA.
In Emanuel - a Chicagoan who served as a political enforcer for Bill Clinton and who is now the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House - Obama selected a seasoned tactician who knows the fears, ambitions, and ideals of individual lawmakers. He was seen by Washington watchers as a pragmatic choice who bridges the Bill Clinton and Obama worlds.
As chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, he orchestrated his party's 2006 takeover of the House.
Emanuel lost half a finger after in an accident when he was in high school. He has a habit of wagging the stunted finger at people, adding to his tough-guy image.
H.R. Haldeman, White House chief of staff to President Richard Nixon, famously said, "Every president needs a son of a b**ch, and I am Nixon's."
And many observers believe Emanuel fits nicely in that slot.
Kevin Smith, a spokesman for House Republican Leader John Boehner, said, "Rahm is one of the most partisan politicians in the country and a consummate Washington insider . . . It would be an ironic and controversial choice, to say the least, for a presidential candidate running on a promise to change Washington."
Others serving on the transition team include Patrick Gaspard, a top official of the union SEIU/1199 and a New York political operative.
Obama plans to start rolling out some key Cabinet appointments within days - and members of the transition team have been mentioned. Napolitano has been seen as a possible attorney general.
Sen. John Kerry, who endorsed Obama after his New Hampshire loss, is seen as a possible secretary of state pick - although his spokesman denied it.
Another possibility for the critical post is New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, whose backing during the primaries provided Obama with a critical boost.
Even Obama's most prominent early endorser, Oprah Winfrey, has gotten hyped for an undisclosed Cabinet job - thanks to a rumor on the blog of the Financial Times.
Today, Obama is scheduled to receive a high-level security briefing from Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell.
"He [Obama] will see the full range of capabilities we deploy for the United States," CIA Director Michael Hayden said in a letter to employees.
Logged
