Obama Pressed on Cabinet, Policy

Obama May Hold Off on Cabinet Decisions Until After Thanksgiving

Obama transition officials are not commenting on specific requests or advice offered by outside groups. While transition activities have gone smoothly so far by all accounts, so far Obama has focused on White House staffing decisions before turning to his Cabinet, and despite indications of fast action, he may not have any of his Cabinet secretaries in place until after Thanksgiving.

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Obama Edges Closer to Appointing Clinton

The demands flowing into the Obama-Biden transition offices are too broad and diverse to all be satisfied. Several prominent Hispanic groups say New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson should be Obama's secretary of state, notwithstanding Obama's discussions with Sen. Hillary Clinton to fill that post.

Women's groups, meanwhile, are touting Clinton's possible appointment and say not enough female candidates are appearing on public short lists for Cabinet slots. At least one such group says Obama shouldn't choose Lawrence Summers to serve at Treasury, citing comments he made as Harvard's president that were perceived as belittling to women.

Antiwar groups say keeping Defense Secretary Robert Gates in his post -- as Obama is widely rumored to be considering -- would belie his promise for a major change of course in the war in Iraq. Obama's promise to name at least one Republican to his Cabinet has some Democratic-aligned organizations worried about which department may have a GOP tilt.

Then there's policy items. To name just a few, Obama is being urged to quickly push immigration reform; close Guantanamo Bay; mandate reduced carbon emissions; make vast expansions in health care; repeal executive orders opposed by gay-rights, environmental and abortion-rights groups; reverse Department of Labor and Department of Justice policies that are perceived as hostile to labor unions and immigrants; initiate a swift troop withdrawal from Iraq; and find resources for another fiscal stimulus bill that includes help for the troubled auto industry.