Filed the re-election, Barack Obama must now fill some holes in the administration. As known, the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner have already announced their resignations. But they may not be the only ones, also because the replacement of two big shots like Clinton and Geithner will probably lead to shifting the balance inside the cabinet, making other changes in the President's team necessary.
It could fit into this logic John Kerry, presidential candidate, defeated by George W. Bush in 2004. Currently a Senator from Massachusetts, he is a strong supporter of Obama. During rehearsals leading up to the televised debates, he served as a "sparring partner" dressing Romney's parts. He currently chairs the International Relations committee, and would have the task of continuing the valuable diplomatic work done so far by Hillary Clinton. Some, however, fear that the move could open the doors of his senatorial seat to Scott Brown, the Republican candidate, reducing the Democratic majority in the upper house.
Another candidate as Secretary of State is Susan Rice, ambassador to the United Nations, with twenty years of experience in American foreign policy. He is also a former assistant to the secretariat of state, a member of the National Security Council, as well as an advisor on foreign policy during the presidential campaigns of Obama and John Kerry. You were involved in the controversies that followed the Benghazi attack, so there are those who fear a weakening of the presidential cabinet behind possible exploitation by the republicans. Thomas too Donilon, the National Security Advisor, appears to be slated for the job.
Central will, of course, be next treasury minister. Here Jacob Lew ed Erskine Bowles they are the main contenders. The former is Chief of the Presidential Staff at the White House, with extensive managerial and budgetary experience since the Clinton years. He has mostly served in the public sector, with the exception of one potentially controversial assignment at Citigroup in the mid-2000s. But his invaluable contributions as chief of staff may convince Obama to keep him for him.
Erskine Bowles held the same role as Lew under the Clinton presidency, he is a moderate Democrat and prone to negotiation, which could be a valuable element given the delicate balances on which Congress is based. However, he is rather disliked by the liberal wing of the party, and the opposition of the left could push him to refuse the job. But at this stage, he seems to be the most suitable figure.
For the Treasury, there are also two businessmen from the private sector in line. Coming from Wall Street, waiting for a call Larry Finch, CEO of BlackRock, and Roger Altman, chairman of Evercore Partners, but above all Bill Clinton's former Treasury secretary.
On the other hand, the games regarding the Supreme Court and the Defense are much more open.
