More speculation:
Secretary of Energy:
I think Obama's pick here will tell us a lot about how he intends to approach environmental issues during his administration.
If he wants to focus on "clean coal" and biofuels he might select someone like Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. Energy production has significantly increased in Montana and Schweitzer claims credit. If Obama wants to focus on entirely renewable sources like wind power and green technologal development, he could select New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman. Bingaman is an advocate for cap-and-trade systems.
Another advocate of cap-and-trade is the Governator, who would be an interesting bipartisan pick. I'm not sure how most Democrats would react to the selection of Schwarzenegger. Nor am I sure that he would want to work for McCain's opponent.
Overall, I think Obama will select Bingaman.
Secretary of Labor:
Again, this choice will tell us a lot about an Obama administration's priorities.
Right now, the smart money is on David Bonior, the former Chair of the John Edwards campaign. Dick Gephardt has also been mentioned. However, Obama might worry about some of the baggage these men would bring with them.
A more unconventional choice might be Linda Chavez-Thompson, a former AFL-CIO leader who worked diligently to diversify that union's membership.
An off-the-wall dark horse candidate for the job? Barbara Ehrenreich. The noted feminist and Nickle and Dimed author is a great intellectual and honorary co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America. The party base would love her, but she might not have the political experience for the job. Yes, I said the Democratic Socialists, don't freak out. (Or do, it's fun: "I'm not a democratic socialist, for Pete's sake. I'm a Communist! Just kidding!")
Overall, I would guess Linda Chavez-Thompson for Labor.
Council of Economic Advisers:
Yes, it's advisers with an E.
The Council will almost certainly be chaired by Austan Goolsbee. He is the guy you see speaking on CNN as Obama's economic adviser. He sometimes has to talk in sound bites for media consumption, but he's actually quite smart. He is a social economist like his University of Chicago colleague Steven Levitt, the author of Freakonomics. Even conservatives like George Will like him.
This is another place where Warren Buffett could end up. Probably not as chair but perhaps on the Council.
Comments are closed for this post.
