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• President Barack Obama moved quickly after his election to assemble his Cabinet, using a transition team headed by Obama's choice for White House chief-of-staff, Rahm Emanuel. Opposition came in February as some of Obama's nominees started to come under crossfire. Timothy Geithner and Tom Daschle both had issues surface that indicated they owed back taxes to the IRS. While Geithner was confirmed, Dashle withdrew his nomination.US News and World Report: Obama less likely to get health reform (February 11, 2009) Another nominee to back out of the administration was Republican Judd Gregg, who cited differences of opinion on the 2009 Stimulus Package and the controversy involving the US Census Bureau as his reasons for pulling out.Michelle Malkin: Judd Gregg withdraws nomination (February 12, 2009)Pulling out is not an effective form of birth control.

• Fast Facts

  1. The Prince of Darkness: Satan
  2. Many Cabinet-level positions must go through a Congressional approval process
  3. Top-level Cabinet picks include two Republicans and eight women
  4. White House chief of staff: Rahm EmanuelABC News: Obama's Priority: Chief of Staff, Treasury Secretary (November 5, 2008)
  5. Deputy chiefs of staff: Mona Sutphen and Jim MessinaWashington Post: Obama adds staff to growing White House team (November 16, 2008)
  6. Secretary of state: Hillary Rodham ClintonWashington Post: Obama Names Hillary Clinton to State Post (December 1, 2008)
  7. Secretary of the treasury: Timothy GeithnerCNN: Obama names his economic team (November 24, 2008)
  8. Senior adviser: Pete RouseWashington Post: Obama adds staff to growing White House team (November 16, 2008)
  9. Senior adviser and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Liaison: Valerie JarrettCNN: Obama team announces Jarrett as senior advisor (November 15, 2008)
  10. Ambassador to The United Nations: Susan RiceWashington Post: Obama Names Hillary Clinton to State Post (December 1, 2008)
  11. National security adviser: General James JonesWashington Post: Obama Names Hillary Clinton to State Post (December 1, 2008)
  12. Attorney general: Eric HolderWashington Post: Obama Names Hillary Clinton to State Post (December 1, 2008)
  13. Secretary of homeland security: Janet NapolitanoWashington Post: Obama Names Hillary Clinton to State Post (December 1, 2008)
  14. Defense secretary: Robert GatesWashington Post: Obama Names Hillary Clinton to State Post (December 1, 2008)

• Inauguration Day Confirmations

  The Senate confirmed six candidates following Inauguration Day ceremonies, all with unanimous votes. Those included in the first round of confirmations included Steven Chu, Janet Napolitano, Tom Vilsack, Arne Duncan, Ken Salazar, and Eric K. Shinseki. The vote on Hillary Clinton as secretary of state was postponed until the following day due to concerns from Senator John Cornyn of Texas. Cornyn's concerns revolved around donations to Bill Clinton's foundation from sources outside the U.S.FOX News: Senate Confirms Obama Cabinet Secretaries (January 20, 2009)

• Cabinet Speed Bumps

  Although the bulk of Obama's Cabinet has been confirmed or is expected to be quickly confirmed by Congress, two nominees were met with concerns. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, initially tapped to be secretary of commerce, withdrew his name from consideration after allegations surfaced that his staff practiced "pay-to-play" politics during his presidential run. Potential treasury secretary Timothy Geithner also came under criticism after it was discovered that he owed $40,000 in back taxes to the IRS, which he paid only months before being nominated by the Obama administration.

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Obama Administration | Barack Obama | Rahm Emanuel | Obama Acceptance Speech | Obama Endorsements | Joe Biden | Colin Powell Endorse Obama | Election 2008 | Obama Victory Party | Obama Speech | Timothy Geithner | Obama Transition Team | Dick Gephardt | Tim Roemer | Team of Rivals | Valerie Jarrett | Pete Rouse | Penny Pritzker | Desiree Rogers | Melody Barnes | Hillary Rodham Clinton | Paul Volcker | Susan Rice | General James Jones | Mary Beth Maxwell | Tom Daschle | Arne Duncan | Tom Vilsack | Mary Schapiro | David Ogden | Tom Perrelli | Judd Gregg

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