THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama, the US president-elect, has begun assembling a glittering White House team, which could include two heirs to the Kennedy dynasty and other Washington big-hitters.
After a historic election, which saw him swept into office with a big majority, Mr Obama has entered the gradual transition to power that will end with his inauguration in 75 days' time.
As Mr Obama began constructing his cabinet, Mike Hayden the director of the CIA announced that the organisation would start briefing him on top-secret intelligence and "the full range of capabilities we deploy for the United States."
The president-elect could make a powerful gesture to the Democratic party heritage by offering Caroline Kennedy, whose father President John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, the post of US ambassador to the United Nations.
Meanwhile, her cousin Robert F Kennedy Jnr, son of Senator Robert Kennedy, who was murdered in 1968, might become chief of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Democratic sources suggested that Senator John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, is also being considered to replace Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State, while her predecessor Colin Powell - who shocked fellow Republicans by endorsing Mr Obama over John McCain - is a possible Pentagon chief or Education Secretary. A tearful Mr Powell said on Wednesday that he was "very emotional" about the Democrat's victory.
However, Mr Obama's inner circle could also have a strong Chicago flavour to it, maintaining links to his political home.
Congressman Rahm Emanuel, a former aide to President Bill Clinton who is famously combative and foul-mouthed, has accepted the role of chief of staff, after being asked ahead of the softly-spoken former senator Tom Daschle. >>> By Toby Harnden in Chicago | November 6, 2008
THE TELEGRAPH:
Barack Obama’s Hitoric Victory: Now We Need to Know What ‘Change’ Means >>> By Simon Heffer in New York | November 5, 2008
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
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