McCain and Obama's Future Aides and Advisors

On Tuesday, November 4th, The United States of America will not only have a new president but a huge team of officials and advisors who will be play key roles in the future president's administration over the next four years. If Obama wins, he is likely to pick top aides from three main sources: Democratic governors midway through their second and final terms in office, former top appointees of Bill Clinton's administration and political professionals from Obama's hometown of Chicago. McCain on the other hand, who comes from a line of military and navy officials, is more likely to draw on current and retired military officials. Also, McCain would probably draw more from the corporate world than academia than Obama would.

Obama Picks
Many believe Obama will draw on many Democratic governors who campaigned for him as well as some who may have initially opposed him. The following four would have to give up the last two years of their eight year terms as governor if chosen. Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona is a possibility for attorney general and Governor Katleen Sebelius of Kansas is seen as a possible secretary of Education, Commerce, Energy or Health and Human Services. Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania is a possible pick for the top Energy or Transportation posts. Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, who ran for the presidential nomination himself, can be on the list for secretary of state. A former Democratic governor who Obama might include for Agriculture secretary is Tom Vilsack of Iowa. Obama has already turned to a former Clinton aide John Podesta, to head his transition planning. Many other former Clinton aides in the running include the following: Susan Rice, who was assistant secretary of state for African Affairs, James Steinberg, who was deputy national security adviser, Gregory Craig, who was one of Clinton's top lawyers, Larry Summers and Robert Rubin, who were former treasury secretaries, and economic advisers Gene Sperling and Laura Tyson. Top Obama campaign aides David Axelrod and David Plouffe of Chicago would also be top picks for the administration.

McCain Picks
In picking a chief official, McCain has sought former Navy secretary John Lehman, one of several prominent military officials close to him. Sources say Lehman might serve as Defense secretary or senior adviser in a McCain administration. McCain, who believes U.S. troops should not leave Iraq yet, might also ask current Defense Secretary Robert Gates to stay on. Other possible choices include retired Marine General James Jones or Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a lawyer in the Air Force Reserve.

Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman or World Bank president Robert Zoellick may be in the running for secretary of state. Republic Heather Wilson of New Mexico may be appointed in her areas of expertise, Energy or national security. Two corporate world women who could possibly serve as advisors to McCain are former eBay Chief Meg Whitman and former Hewlett-Packard chairman Carly Fiorina. Like Obama, McCain will most likely give top jobs to his chief campaign advisers, Mark Salter and Rick Davis.