Within hours of being declared the president-elect of the U.S., Barack Obama began to shape his new administration.
Major American news outlets reported Wednesday afternoon Democratic officials have confirmed that Obama has already selected his White House Chief of Staff and has offered the position to Illinois congressman Rahm Emanuel.
NBC News also reported that the officials have said Emanuel, who was re-elected on Tuesday and was part of the Clinton White House, has accepted the offer. It also said he could begin receiving intelligence briefings this week.
Obama is hoping Emanuel will be able to help him build a team that can help him fix the economic crisis and deal with two unfinished wars.
"I think he'll have a cabinet that is extraordinary in terms of it being eclectic," Washington-based radio host Mark Plotkin told Â鶹´«Ã½net on Wednesday.
Canadians worried about Obama's NAFTA comments during the primaries will be pleased to know that Emanuel was a key promoter of the trade agreement during his time in the Clinton administration.
In January, Emanuel made a speech re-affirming his belief in the importance of global trade as the engine for economic growth.
A bipartisan cabinet?
Plotkin said he expects to see a "surprising number of Republicans" in an Obama cabinet, noting that prominent GOP politicians are reportedly being considered for secretary of state. Plotkin said that in addition to Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, Republican Sens. Richard Lugar and Chuck Hagel are also contenders for the spot.
With 76 days until the inauguration, Obama is also expected to name his secretary of the treasury soon.
According to Reuters, Obama's short list is said to include former treasury secretary Lawrence Summers and former Fed chairman Paul Volcker.
The position, similar to the role of Canada's finance minister, will be important as Obama tries to fix the ongoing credit crisis.
Starting Thursday, Obama will begin receiving top-secret daily briefings from the nation's top intelligence officials. The briefings will include information he has not been privy to during his time as a senator.
He will also give the first of his daily media briefings tomorrow.
On Wednesday, outgoing U.S. President George Bush congratulated Obama on his victory and promised a smooth transition of power.
Bush said he will keep Obama informed of important decisions until his inauguration next January 20.
Last month, Bush issued an executive order which established a presidential transitional co-ordinating council that will allow Obama to make a smooth transition in the weeks before he officially takes office.
The council's members include top officials from the intelligence and national security community, as well as the White House budget office, the Justice Department, Homeland Security and other agencies.
With the order in place, Obama's transition team will be able to set up procedures for selecting key personnel and making policy decision in advance.
Congress has allocated $8 million to finance the transition.
"No matter how they cast their ballots, all Americans can be proud of the history that was made yesterday," Bush said at a press conference at the Rose Garden of the White House.
"Across the country citizens voted in large numbers. They showed a watching world the vitality of America's democracy and the strides we have made toward a more perfect union."
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Wednesday for a lame duck session of Congress to enact a stimulus program to boost the troubled U.S. economy.
Pelosi, a Democrat, said no decisions have yet been made but talks are ongoing with the White House.
The terms of such a package would include more assistance for the unemployed.
