Please use this thread to discuss your predictions & speculation about Obama's cabinet level appointments.

We ask that all posts on this subject stay within this thread, thanks.

OK, let the speculation regarding President-Elect Obama's cabinet begin!

Here's a few of my own picks:

Transportation secretary - Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Secretary of State -- Bill Richardson or John Kerry

Secretary of Treasury - Larry Summers

Defense secretary: Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

Attorney General - John Edwards would have been the best choice for the job, but his affair ruined that...

National Security Advisor - Susan Rice

Homeland Security - Wesley Clarke

Energy - Harold Ford

Commerce - Ed Rendell

And although the position isn't in the cabinet - U.N. ambassador - Al Gore.

I'd like to see Colin Powell for Secretary of State, again....

Oberstar for DOT Secretary....

Quoting OPNLguy (Reply 2): I'd like to see Colin Powell for Secretary of State, again....

Agreed, though I would like to see Richardson have a role in the Obama Administration.

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 1): Transportation secretary - Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

He would know a thing or two about "acquiring" cheap rides.

If for some reason Hillary gets a position, Secretary of State would be the most likely or Health (I'm not sure what the title is for that?)

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 1): Attorney General - John Edwards would have been the best choice for the job, but his affair ruined that...

Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ) will likely be the next Attorney General of the United States

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 5): If for some reason Hillary gets a position, Secretary of State would be the most likely or Health (I'm not sure what the title is for that?)

Health and Human Services Secretary.

I would like to see Hillary given something, I agree, Secretary of State would be good.

I realize though that there's quite a bit of animosity between Hillary and Obama, so i don't hold my hopes high.

If i were Obama, i'd nominate John McCain for either secretary of defense or UN Ambassador, something to demonstrate bipartisanship.

Here is a list of Cabinet level appointments plus two Presidential appointments that can be important.

Secretary of State - Bill Richardson
Secretary of the Treasury - Sheila Bair
Secretary of Defense - Robert Gates (Obama already stated that he would like to keep Gates at least for a year I think then he will bring in Lugar or Hagel)
Secretary of the Interior - Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Secretary of Agriculture - Tom Vilsack
Secretary of Commerce - ???
Secretary of Labor - David Bonior
Secretary of Health and Human Services - Hillary Clinton or John Kitzhaber
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development - ???
Secretary of Transportation - Jim Oberstar (Mr. Anti-merger)
Secretary of Energy - Arnold Schwarzenegger
Secretary of Education - ???
Secretary of Veterans Affairs - Chuck Hagel or Tammy Duckworth
Secretary of Homeland Security - Wesley Clark
Attorney General - Eric Holder

UN Ambassador - Lee Hamilton or Caroline Kennedy
Chief of Staff - Tom Daschle
National Security Advisor - ???
Head of the EPA - Kathleen McGinty and Al Gore as chief Advisor
Council of Economic Advisors - ???

I think he will limit the number of current Senators and Reps so to keep the Congress Democratic. I think he will also limit the number of currently seated Governors as well.

Huffington List of possible candidates. I took some of mine from this list. He will go with people close to his campaign but will also go with a few GOP. Me thinks it will be more like a Clinton Cabinet; smart people finding practical and doable things. I think he will also work with congress to find solutions.

Secretary of State - Bill Richardson
Secretary of the Treasury - Paul Volker
Secretary of Defense - Gen. Wesley Clark
Secretary of the Interior - Tom Hayden,
Secretary of Agriculture - Gov. Brian Schweitzer
Secretary of Commerce - Richard Lugar
Secretary of Labor - Robert Reich
Secretary of Health and Human Services - Elizabeth Edwards
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development - Cynthia McKinney
Secretary of Transportation - Gov. Kathleen Sebilius
Secretary of Energy - Dick Gephardt
Secretary of Education - Loretta Sanchez
Secretary of Veterans Affairs - Tammy Duckworth (good one Centrair!)
Secretary of Homeland Security - Richard Clarke
Attorney General - Gov. Janet Napolitano

UN Ambassador - Tom Daschle
Chief of Staff - Rahm Emmanuel
National Security Advisor - Colin Powell
Council of Economic Advisors - Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Paul O'Neill

Bill Richardson for Secretary of State
Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense
Tim Kaine for Attorney General
Harold Ford Jr for Secretary of Commerce
Tony Lake for Secretary of Homeland Security
Chet Edwards for Veterans Administration
Tom Daschle for Chief of Staff
Henry Paulson for Secretary of Treasury
David Axelrod for Senior Whitehouse Advisor
Albert Gore Jr for UN Ambassador
Supreme Court nominee when J.P. Stevens resigns; Hillary Clinton
Henry Boren for Education Secretary
Lincoln Chaffee for EPA head
Tim Roehmer for CIA Director
Robert F Kennedy Jr for Interior Secretary
Jim Oberstar for Transportation Secretary
Tom Vilsack for Agriculture Secretary

Richard Lugar (National Security Advisor), Arnold Scharzeneggar (Energy), and Howard Dean (HHS) all will be considered for top cabinet spots. A nice gesture, but Colin Powell won't be part of the cabinetl; neither will Wesley Clarke.

  

Very much looking forward to a bipartisan cabinet.

  

[Edited 2008-11-05 00:15:50]

Quoting OPNLguy (Reply 2): I'd like to see Colin Powell for Secretary of State, again....

His infamous UNSC slide show has burned his reputation for good, and he (and everybody else) knows it. It's a much too prominent role to make such a mistake. I would not be surprised at all, however, to see him in a lower-key advisory role, probably an informal one. He still does have some valuable experience.

I also think it's practically a given that Obama will try to integrate one or several pragmatic republicans; Maybe not again for the Pentagon, though.

President-Elect Barrack H. Obama will have to make a Cabinet, like Bill Clinton did, to 'look like America. He will have a lot of pressure for as close to half be women, at least 2-3 Black and 2 or more Hispanic members. I think there will be huge pressure for a Black man or woman or at the least a woman, to be US Attorney General.

While I tend to agree with many of the names on the above lists, I suspect some of them may decline due to their personal positions and the probable huge fight in the confirmation process. I suspect that the Republicans will give a hard fight on a number of canidates and the 'gotcha' media will play their part in vetting canidates. That would be particulary an issue with Sen. Clinton. Eric Holder, a Black man and US Attorney General for a short time in the Clinton Administration, has already expressed not wanting to go through that process. Among the names for Treasury Secetary is NJ Governor Corzine, a former head of Goldman Sachs. I have some doubts of him being chosen due to his ties to a major financial house and some allegations of corruption as to his (former) girlfriend in NJ. It would also deprive NJ of a Governor for at least one year, and we don't have a Lt. Governor (the State Senate President becomes Acting Governor).

One advantage President Elect Obama will have as to choices as to his Cabinet is not really having to owe anybody for his win as usually happens from usual need of support of critical leaders, states and regions of the USA. The nature of his campaign, the money he raised, means he will have less need to payoff certain persons and contsituties.

As others noted, some may decline or not be chosen so not to reduce the numbers of Democrats in the Senate and to a lesser extent in the Congress. I think Obama will keep HRC in the Senate and use her as a major point person to push his agenda rather than appoint her to a cabinet position. She will NEVER be a US Supreme Court Justice, due to her well established politics and a total lack of Judicial experience.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 12): John Kerry?? Jesse Jackson?? Are you nuts? Pass...

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 12): Again, are you nuts?? No way in hell...

Now, now, be nice...I like the thinking going on here.

In addition, how about Oprah Winfrey for WH Chief of Staff and Keith Olbermann for WH Press Secretary?

Can't help but think that Nancy Pelosi would make a good Secretary of State...

What about Communications Director... I know it's not a Cabinet Post, but its quite an important role. A good candidate for this would be Oprah Winfrey, me thinks. Or Alison Janney. She did a bloody good job of it as C J Cregg in the West Wing...!

Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 13): advantage President Elect Obama will have as to choices as to his Cabinet is not really having to owe anybody for his win

If he did, I think it would be Hillary Clinton. She was able to bring her supporters to him by campaigning tirelessly. I don't think if hadn't done all she did, the result might be different

But here are my predictions:

State: Chuck Hagel (Hillary Clinton)
Defense: Robert Gates
Treasury: Lawrence Summers
Attorney General: Jennifer Granholm?
Interior: ?
Agriculture: ?
Commerce: ?
Labor: ?
HHS: Elizabeth Edwards
Education:?
HUD:?
Transportation: Gov. Kathleen Sebelius
Energy: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Veterans Affairs: ?
Homeland Security: ?

Chief of Staff: Rahm Emanuel
Foreign Policy Advisor: Colin Powell

Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 13): As others noted, some may decline or not be chosen so not to reduce the numbers of Democrats in the Senate and to a lesser extent in the Congress

I don't think that will be a problem. If he chooses a sitting Senator, he would probably choose them from safe Democratic states like New York

Robert Gates is doing a great job as Defense Secretary, Obama should try to get Secretary Gates to stay on at least for a year to provide for a smooth transition.

For Treasury Secretary I heard today possibly Governor Corzine of New Jersey, he's a Former Senator and also used to be the CEO of Goldman Sacks.

Hillary Clinton as secretary of State would not go well with many ME countries that do expect a shift in relations.
Both Obama and Biden have advocated to be reday to speak with countries like Iran and Syria,trying to get them out of the "terrorist" corner.Hillary is still very much tied to the Jewish lobby in New York and might not have the balanced credibility people expect form a new secretary of state.
That position will be instrumental in forging a new image of the United States.
Bill Richardson seems to have the perfect credentials for the job.His past as UN ambassador and his work in the Foreign council of the senate provide him an great visibility.
I think Hillary should get a position for the support and experience she undoubtly has.But I see her rather in a US domestic role.

Quoting JetBlueGuy2006 (Reply 16): Energy: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Interesting proposition - do you think he would accept a job with a man who .."..has not enough muscles.;" on his legs..?   

But the suggestion sounds reasonable,since Arnold has been pushing for energy-policy changes within California ,which give him credibility searching for a national policy to escape oil dependance.

Here's some of my ideas:


Secretary of Defense: Keep Gates
Secretary of State: Governor Bill Richards

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 1): Secretary of State

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 1): Defense secretary

I must say even though I don’t think Senator McCain would take the job these would be two positions which he was made for and also would show the American people Obama is really for bipartisanship. John McCain has earned it and would do a great job at either of those two positions.

[Edited 2008-11-05 09:28:14]

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 12): John Kerry?? Jesse Jackson?? Are you nuts? Pass...

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Both would be a good choice, John Kerry possibly as Secretary of State and Jesse Jackson for transportation

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 12): Homeland Security - Wesley Clarke Again, are you nuts?? No way in hell...

I would love to see General Wesley Clark as Minister of Defence, or as Secretary of State
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and imagine Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State and husband Bill Clinton as National Security Advisor !      

IDK how true this is, but supposedly here in MA, Obama is going to tap both Kerry and Gov.Patrick for cabinet positions. Thoughts? Personally. I'd like to keep Patrick as he has been doing a very good job and has been leading us thru a budget crisis very well so far.

Quoting Centrair (Reply 8): Secretary of the Interior - Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

That would be an inspired choice...

I don't see Obama raiding the senate of senior Democrats to fill his cabinet. I can't believe anyone is even suggesting McCain for Sec of Defense, since his views on Iraq are so thoroughly at odds with Obama's. I think Wesley Clark might actually be a good choice in that position, and don't understand the consternation expressed previously.

Hillary will stay where she is. She's in a strong position as a senator, and has very little to gain from giving up her seat. I seriously doubt she sees a way she could serve better as a cabinet member.

Supreme Court? Who knows. I just hope Stevens, Souter, and perhaps Ginsburg are working on their retirement plans for the next 2-3 years so new, relatively young, center or center-left justices can be appointed to balance the Scalia/Thomas/Roberts/Alito right-wing bloc.

I would love to see Chuck Hagel or Wesley Clark as Secretary of Defense.

I read possibly Robert F Kennedy Jr for EPA.

Quoting BA (Reply 26): I would love to see Chuck Hagel or Wesley Clark as Secretary of Defense.

Robert Gates (the current Defense Secretary) would be my first choice, but those two gentlemen would also be good choices.

I don't know if he would want it but I would try to bring General Colin Powell back as Secretary of State.

Keep Gates at DOD as long as he can stand it, somebody metioned Wesley Clark, bad idea at DOD he would go on a witch hunt of anybody who had anything to do with his dismisal as NATO CC

Quoting STT757 (Reply 27): I don't know if he would want it but I would try to bring General Colin Powell back as Secretary of State.

The new foreign secretary absolutely needs every bit of trust he can gain, and Powell has simply used up his during the run-up to the Iraq invasion. At least for such a representative function he is burnt, done, spent completely.

He would be a burden on the office which Obama and the USA cannot afford, and in this office it is actually more important how the outside world perceives him than his popularity at home.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1079db32-a...1-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

Obama selects Emanuel as chief of staff

By Edward Luce in Chicago

Published: November 5 2008 18:26 | Last updated: November 5 2008 18:26

Incoming presidents tend to stick it to the policy advisers who backed rival candidates. Barack Obama does not, it seems, fit that model. Almost without exception, Hillary Clinton’s “who’s who” list of big name advisers, such as Madeleine Albright on the foreign policy side, and Bob Rubin on the economic side, have been welcomed into the Obama camp.

   

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 1): Secretary of State -- Bill Richardson or John Kerry

Well, Kerry would at least have great relations with France.

Quoting OPNLguy (Reply 2): Oberstar for DOT Secretary....

This is a distinct possibility and would be a disaster for airlines.

Quoting BN747 (Reply 9): Secretary of Housing & Urban Development - Cynthia McKinney

LMAO!

Quoting BN747 (Reply 9): Secretary of Homeland Security - Richard Clarke

Well, he could write the thank you letter to Hamas on their congratulations to Obama on winning. Clarke was part and parcel of the failures we had pre 9/11 and should be sent to Siberia, never to return to any position of implied or real authority.

Quoting FXramper (Reply 10): Henry Paulson for Secretary of Treasury

Makes sense. After all, he brokered one of the biggest socialist power grabs with the bailout, so he would be a great fit.

Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 13): President-Elect Barrack H. Obama will have to make a Cabinet, like Bill Clinton did, to 'look like America. He will have a lot of pressure for as close to half be women, at least 2-3 Black and 2 or more Hispanic members. I think there will be huge pressure for a Black man or woman or at the least a woman, to be US Attorney General.

Clinton’s cabinet also “looked like America” in that it was composed largely of millionaires—the highest % of any presidential cabinet in history I might add.

Quoting Homer71 (Reply 14): Keith Olbermann for WH Press Secretary?

LMAO! That would be a great SNL sketch!

Quoting Ferengi80 (Reply 15): Can't help but think that Nancy Pelosi would make a good Secretary of State...

Surely you jest.

Quoting STT757 (Reply 17): For Treasury Secretary I heard today possibly Governor Corzine of New Jersey, he's a Former Senator and also used to be the CEO of Goldman Sacks.

No conflict of interest there! I thought we were going to have “change” from the eeeevil corporations and their lying, stealing, ways, no?

People have to realize that there also has to be a political determination involved. If he
pulls people from the House and Senate, he has to take into consideration if that person
will be replaced by a Democrat or Republican. Most states allow the Governor to fill the
vacated seat, some are forced to choose from the same party, some are not. Also, if he
takes a sitting Governor, he has to take into consideration if that respective state's Lt. Gov.
is also a Democrat or a Republican. I do not see him offering HRC anything, nor do I see
her accepting anything if offered. Her best hope is to become Senate Majority Leader.
Now Reverend Wright as White House Spokesperson and Bill Ayers as FBI Director would
be awsome as well as Rashid Khalid as Secretary of State. Too bad Tony Rezko is in jail,
he would make an incredible Treasury Secretary.

Quoting EA CO AS (Reply 6): Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ) will likely be the next Attorney General of the United States

Only problem with this, it would make Jan Brewer the governor, and Gov. Palin would look like a Rhodes Scholar compared to Brewer.

Quoting AirCop (Reply 33): Quoting EA CO AS (Reply 6): Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ) will likely be the next Attorney General of the United States Only problem with this, it would make Jan Brewer the governor, and Gov. Palin would look like a Rhodes Scholar compared to Brewer.

If Arizona citizens can survive Fife Symington's bank fraud case and the alternative-fuels fiasco of "Propane" Jane Hull, they can survive Jan Brewer.   

Napolitano has been named to Obama's transition team and would make an solid AG. I'd like to see her run for McCain's Senate seat in 2010. I think that McCain is likely to retire.

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 34): I'd like to see her run for McCain's Senate seat in 2010. I think that McCain is likely to retire.

If she ran, I would support her even if she ran against McCain..The senator age, being in the minority party, not being popular with the GOP leadership in Arizona will all be factors working against him for re-election.

Well it looks like Obama wants Rahm Emmanuel to be his Chief of Staff, which is about as
stupid as George H.W. Bush choosing John Sununu for his. Emmanuel is really partisen
and can rub people the wrong way, just like Sununu did.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 12): John Kerry?? Jesse Jackson?? Are you nuts? Pass...

The Jesse Jackson in question is not the Rev. Jesse Jackson, it is his son, Jesse Jackson, Jr., who is a Congressman from IL.

Quoting BN747 (Reply 9): Secretary of Housing & Urban Development - Cynthia McKinney

Cynthia McKinney quit the Democratic Party a few years ago and is a member of the Green Party (In fact, she was their candidate from President.). I would be surprised if Obama even considers someone from a Third Party.

I'm actually surprised that nobody has brought up former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn as a potential member of the Obama Cabinet. He would make a very good Secretary of Defense (He was after all once the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.) or Secretary of State (He's been pretty active in world affairs and issues since leaving the Senate). Or perhaps he gets named Ambassador to the UN.

Here's a few thoughts::

State: Bill Richardson, Sam Nunn
HUD: Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin
VA: Wesley Clark, Max Cleland (after all he ran the VA under Carter back before it was a cabinet-level department), or Bob Kerrey
Defense: Retain Gates. If he doesn't wish to remain, Sam Nunn or Chuck Hagel
Ambassador to the UN: Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Sam Nunn.
DOT: Ed Rendell

Quoting Srbmod (Reply 37): I'm actually surprised that nobody has brought up former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn as a potential member of the Obama Cabinet.

Well he is 70 years of age, and Obama according to media reports is looking for younger people, and that Bill Gates might be asked to stay on for awhile.

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 5): If for some reason Hillary gets a position, Secretary of State would be the most likely or Health (I'm not sure what the title is for that?)

We need her in the senate.....

Quoting JetBlueGuy2006 (Reply 16): Labor: ?

I'd like to see Gov. Ed Rendell(D-PA) of my homestate. He's been negotiation with the unions forever, and trust me they approve of him.

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 34): Napolitano

I'd like to see her work alongside the B.I.A. She's worked alongside the tribal leaders of Arizona to make sure they have a decent infastructure and tourism stays strong. (I just visited the remote village of Supai, AZ in the Havasupai Canyon, and I will tell you that it is greatly promoted in Phoenix by the state Gov. and generates great revenue for the tribe.)

Quoting Srbmod (Reply 37): DOT: Ed Rendell

That's actully where I'd like to see Bill Richardson (D-NM). New Mexico's infastructure from a road, air, and rail perspective is great (I lived there for two years while at UNM) The roads are very efficiant making intercity travel quick and painless. He's part of the reason Pacific Wings started New Mexico Airlines to serve EAS markets at an affordable rate (Unlike YX.....) with Cessna 208 caravans (The perfect aircraft for the job). He pushes to give airlines good conditions at ABQ, and now ROW to ensure service for his citizens (The situation in SAF is not in his hands.)

Quoting STT757 (Reply 27): General Colin Powell back as Secretary of State.

It won't happen, but I would love to see that. His low key pesonality mad him seem gential to foreign diplomats.

I have one for Colin Powell: Secretary of Education. He has been working on education issues and could get tapped there.

I have several non-cabinet positions that might be extremely important in the next four years:

Ambassadors to China, Russia, Iraq, Afghanistan, & Pakistan.

I would also hope Obama's choice for Japan Ambassador would be someone with diplomatic skills unlike our current choice; Tom Schieffer (Bob's brother).

On the diplomatic scale, I wonder if Obama could tap Christopher R. Hill for something big. (He is Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and the head of the US delegation for 5-party talks dealing with North Korea...and Red Sox fan.)

Quoting Centrair (Reply 40): I have several non-cabinet positions that might be extremely important in the next four years: Ambassadors to China, Russia, Iraq, Afghanistan, & Pakistan.

Add Damascus,Ankara and Tel Aviv to that list..
Relations with TUrkey are somewhat strained since the pressure increases to get an excuse from the Turks for the Armenian massacres..

Quoting Srbmod (Reply 37): Cynthia McKinney quit the Democratic Party a few years ago and is a member of the Green Party (In fact, she was their candidate from President.). I would be surprised if Obama even considers someone from a Third Party.

Not to mention the fact that she's a certifiable loon. I think that would be a turn-off.  

More of a wish list than anything

Secretary of State - Richard Holbrooke
Secretary of the Treasury - Larry Summers
Secretary of Defense - Robert Gates
Secretary of the Interior - Lincoln Chafee
Secretary of Commerce - Mike Bloomberg
Secretary of Labor - a union buster
Secretary of Energy - Boone Pickens
Secretary of Veterans Affairs - John McCain
Secretary of Homeland Security - Dump the position
Attorney General - William F. Weld
UN Ambassador - John Kerry
National Security Advisor - Tom Kean
Council of Economic Advisors - Warren Buffett, Robert Rubin, Jamie Dimon
Supreme Court - Richard Posner, Laurence Tribe

http://www.mlive.com/us-politics/ind...xclusive_emanuel_accepts_whit.html

first job allocated and accepted..

Quoting JetBlueGuy2006 (Reply 16): Education:?

Should be Bill Ayres ... It should be. Obama openly speaks highly of the mans ideas on education. Lets see if he has that "Spine of Steal" that Biden refered too.

Kerry.."our troops are Nazi's" for Sec of State all the way!!! Traitor fu** . Every time I saw Kerry and Richardson early on speaking of the lofty Sen Obama ... who neither of them knew anything about I was on it. Its like watching people apllying for a job ... who wash the bosses car while waiting to fill out application. Sad.

Its official that Rahm Emanuel, a Democratic House Representative from Illinois and a former strategist under President Clinton, has accepted the White House chief of staff position for President-elect Barack Obama.

The Republican leadership in Congress is not happy at all with the choice of Emanuel, who is known for being a tough and aggressive negotiator and a highly partisan member of Congress.

Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15371.html

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 46): The Republican leadership in Congress is not happy at all with the choice of Emanuel, who is known for being a tough and aggressive negotiator and a highly partisan member of Congress.

If I was a Republican I suppose I wouldn't be too pleased with Mr. Emanuel either. I hope Obama's administration represents America not Chicago.

Quoting BAGoldEx (Reply 43):

The bigger question will be, how much of a hearing will any of these cabinet officials get. Of course if any republican member dares to voice opposition he or she will immediately be labeled obstructionist by the democratic members on the committee, the administration, the democratic party, and the left leaning main stream media. Of course when the democratic party was in the minority they were well within their rights to object vociforously with no such penalty from any of the above.

In advance of the naming of his Cabinet, President-elect Obama will name Robert Gibbs as his White House Press Secretary.

"Robert Gibbs, a top aide to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on his campaign and in his Senate office, will be named the White House press secretary, a top Democratic official said.

Gibbs was usually the senior official on Air Obama, the campaign plane. As communications director of Obama's Senate office, Gibbs was a key strategist in Obama's rapid move to the national stage."

Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15364.html