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INAUGURATION SPECIAL | OBAMALAND OBAMALAND A SPOTTER’S GUIDE TO WASHINGTON’S NEW POLITICAL LANDSCAPE The Insider’s Guide to

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INAUGURATION SPECIAL | obamaland

obamalandA spotter’s guide to WAsHiNgtoN’s NeW politicAl lANdscApe

The Insider’s Guide to

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laying out an ambitious battle plan for the next four years, President Barack Obama, made it clear in his inaugural address that

there is considerable work to be done. He has assembled a team that seemingly understands that conviction is the currency of politics. After multiple Congressional roadblocks, he is now appealing directly to the people, engaging them in policy debates with a grassroots army of supporters who have his back. He is more experienced now and appears more determined to stiffen his spine in the face of congressional obstructionism.

Yes, he embraces progressive ideals, but with prudence and caution — as a true conservative progressive would with a pragmatic willingness to tackle the unfinished business of his first term. Gun control, an item that some Democrats once shied from, is now on the table after the Newtown, Conn., school shooting tragedy and Obama has already unveiled a handful of modest executive actions and legislative proposals to begin addressing the issue. Hurricane Sandy ushered the climate crisis back to the forefront, blowing new life into the fierce urgency of

tackling climate destabilization now. With Cecilia Munoz’s ascent as domestic policy advisor, Obama has positioned his team to pass comprehensive immigration reform while continuing to push for equal rights for minorities, women and same-sex families.

Even though his first term saw the Dow Jones’ most dramatic one-term increase, from 5,000 points to 13,500, the economy is still quite fragile with large swaths of people, the most vulnerable, losing real estate wealth accumulated over generations because of the mass-scale mortgage fraud with no real investigation or prosecutions. Yes, the “fiscal cliff” was averted and Republicans seem to be caving with regard to their debt ceiling hostage-taking bluff. But the sequestration battle and many others still loom, and the president still needs to find a way to work with a recalcitrant Congress. The administration is moving forward to implement the Affordable Care Act, while simultaneously bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan who will need the healthcare and jobs they rightly deserve.

Obama has a seasoned vice president, Joe Biden,

at his side. In addition, he has surrounded himself with the best and the brightest team possible. Some of the troops, including four Cabinet members, are departing, leaving their replacement nominees, including John Kerry, Chuck Hagel and Jack Lew, to await confirmation from the Senate. Meanwhile, Cabinet officers Kathleen Sebelius, Janet Napolitano, Arne Duncan, Eric Holder, Tom Vilsack, Eric Shinseki and Shaun Donovan have signed on for a second tour of duty.

Expect a healthy dose of fresh new ideas and talent as well as continuity and experience that will be valuable in overseeing many first-term accomplishments. Four years ago we predicted the new chief executive’s Cabinet and top political and policy appointee choices with considerable accuracy. Having read the tea leaves, here is our best guess at a “spotter’s guide” to the new and established faces of what we like to call “Obamaland.”

With contributions from Anne Kim-Dannibale, Sarah

Valerio, Howard Fineman, Ryan Grim, Nancy R. Bagley

and Soroush Richard Shehabi

A call to arms for pragmatic progressives

obama 2.0INAUGURATION SPECIAL | obamaland

Eric HoldErAttorney General

He came under fire for not prosecuting any bankers after the mortgage crisis,

but will likely stay on for the immediate future.

SHaun donovan HUD Secretary

Will continue to play a critical role in the Hurricane sandy

reconstruction and relief efforts.

arnE duncan Secretary of Education

obama’s basketball partner worked to expand

pell grants and reform efforts, including the race

to the top program and investing in innovation. He has also attempted to mend relations with

teachers’ unions that have felt abandoned by the

administration.

KatHlEEn SEbEliuSHHS Secretary

she’ll likely stay on long enough to oversee the final implementation stages of the Affordable care Act

as the rest of the law kicks into effect in 2014. possible

replacements down the road include oregon gov. John Kitzhaber and Nancy-Ann deparle, obama’s deputy

chief of staff for policy.

tom vilSacKAgriculture Secretary

He’s currently dealing with the most serious drought in 25 years, which has severely

affected farmers and crops. during the first

term he worked on food stamps, resource conservation, and first lady Michelle obama’s let’s Move initiative.

Eric SHinSEKiSecretary of Veterans AffairsA decorated Army veteran,

he’ll play an important role assisting veterans

returning from iraq and Afghanistan facing physical and mental healthcare and job placement needs. six days after the election,

he pledged to eliminate a backlog of veterans’ claims and end homelessness by

the end of 2015.

JanEt napolitanoHomeland Security

Secretaryshould she leave,

some speculate that her replacement could be rand Beers, under

secretary for the national protection

and programs directorate.

Staying Powerobama cabinEt mEmbErS rEady for four morE yEarS

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POTENTIAL CAbINET

Jacob lEwThe White House chief of staff and former OMB director may replace Tim Geithner as treasury secretary. Republicans may use the confirmation hearing to draw attention to debt and budget deficit issues. If Deputy Neil Wollin leaves to run USTR, either Morgan Stanley’s Ruth Porat or current Undersecretary Lael Brainard is likely to become the principal deputy.

JoHn podEStaThough it’s likely that former New Mexico senator Jeff Bingaman may replace Steven Chu as secretary of energy, Center for American Progress founder John Podesta has our vote. The former chief of staff to Clinton is an impassioned clean energy advocate, which could go a long way toward reinvigorating the department’s goals.

cHriStinE GrEGoirE

The former Washington governor is a contender for interior secretary or EPA. Other potential choices are deputy secretary David Hayes; former governors Dave Freudenthal, Bill Ritter, and Brian Schweitzer; former North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan, Rep. Raul Grijalva and Sen. Tom Udall.

urSula burnS The 54-year-old mother of two is likely to replace Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank. Burns is chairman and CEO of Xerox and the first African-American woman CEO to head a Fortune 500 Company. She also serves as vice chairman of Obama’s export council.

JEnnifEr GranHolm

The former governor of America’s auto-making capital gave a memorable speech at the DNC defending Obama’s auto-bailout, making her a strong contender for transportation secretary. Former Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is also a possibility, as is L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

cHucK HaGElObama’s Republican pick to replace Leon Panetta as defense secretary opposed George W. Bush’s foreign policy, the Iraq war, and both Bush and Obama’s troop surge strategies. His opposition to unilateral sanctions against Iran has drawn criticism from neocons. Key deputies could include Michele Flournoy if Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter goes to the Energy Department.

SEn. JoHn KErryThe decorated Vietnam veteran and former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is Obama’s pick to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Likely deputies are David McKean, Kerry’s former chief of staff; David Wade, his former press secretary; Frank Lowenstein, former SFRC staff director; and current staff director, Bill Danvers.

Sylvia matHEwS burwEll

If current acting director of the Office of Management and Budget Jeff Zients leaves, then Sylvia Matthews Burwell who served as deputy budget director under Clinton is the hands-on favorite to lead O.M.B.

JoHn bErry The openly gay OPM director is front-runner to replace Lisa Jackson as EPA administrator. Others include former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter; Christine Gregoire; Mary Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources Board; former New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman, and maybe even EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe.

randi wEinGartEn

The teacher’s union leader could be labor secretary, but likely faces Republican opposition. She would patch Obama’s union relations, after he failed to back them in recent state labor law battles. Domestic policy council director Cecilia Muñoz, is also a contender, as are Granholm and Rep. Rosa DeLauro.

oBAMA’s iNNer circle

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whITE hOUSE POLITICAL

AdvISORS ANd INfLUENCERS

Jay carnEyThe White House press secretary has handled his position with great skill. No doubt he will continue to serve as the liaison between the administration and the media in the future.

valEriE JarrEttOne of Obama’s senior advisors and close confidantes, Jarrett has known the Obamas since their days in Chicago where she worked as deputy chief of staff for Mayor Richard Daley and hired Barack’s then-fiancée, Michelle.

JEnnifEr palmiEriThis Clinton veteran and former John Edwards campaign spokeswoman joined the Obama administration as deputy communications director in 2011 and is likely to take over for Daniel Pfeiffer as communications director.

pEtE rouSEThe president’s counselor is a highly influential member of his inner circle who previously served as senior advisor and interim chief of staff after Rahm Emmanuel’s departure.

brucE rEEdThe vice president’s chief of staff has played a key role in Obama’s gun control policy initiatives, which will be a closely watched policy debate in coming months.

KatHryn ruEmmlEr

The president’s counsel notified him that the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act and defended the administration in the Solyndra controversy.

Jon favrEauIf the president’s wunderkind speechwriter Jon Favreau leaves after State of the Union, he will likely be replaced by Cody Keenan or his deputy Chris Gentry.

alySSa maStromonaco

The deputy chief of staff for operations is such a fixture in the administration that she is practically part of the White House furniture. She’s also engaged to Sen. Harry Reid’s Chief of Staff David Krone.

daniEl pfEiffErO b a m a ’s f o r m e r communications director and assistant first joined the campaign as a traveling press secretary and will stay on as senior advisor to the president.

daniEllE GrayThe deputy director of the National Economic Council is likely to become the new assistant to the president and Cabinet secretary, taking over for outgoing Chris Lu.

INAUGURATION SPECIAL | obamaland

hONORAbLE mENTIONS

mike donilon (Vice president’s counsel)

david agnew (deputy assistant/director intergovernmental affairs)

Evan ryan (Vice president’s assistant,

intergovernmental affairs/public liaison)

patrick Gaspard (dNc executive director)

Political braintrust:these players may have left the White House, but they still have the president’s ear

davId axElroddavId PlouFFE

JIm mESSInarobErT GIbbS

larry GrISolanobIll burTon

JoHn PodESTa ron KlaIn

STEvE HIldEbrandPHIl ScHIlIro

STEPHanIE cuTTEr JoEl bEnEnSon

Katy Kale (likely new assistant for management

& administration)

david Simas (likely new deputy senior advisor for

communications & strategy

Steve ricchetti (Vice president’s counsel)

Jeremy bernard (social secretary)

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JoHn brEnnanBrennan was recently nominated to become CIA director and currently serves as chief counterterrorism officer where he has played a central role in advocating the use of drones. He withdrew his name from consideration for the post in the first term due to controversy over his support for the use of torture under George W. Bush.

liSa monacoThis Harvard/Univ. of Chicago Law School grad may take over for John Brennan as Obama’s national security advisor for homeland security and coutnerterrorism — should Brennan win confirmation as CIA director. The Boston native first joined the Obama administration in 2009 as an associate deputy attorney general for national security.

tony blinKEnThe well-liked Clinton and Obama White House veteran who currently serves as Vice President Biden’s national security policy advisor will likely be the new deputy national security advisor.

marK lippErtLippert is the assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs and previously served as chief of staff for the National Security Council. He is close to Obama and McDonough.

micHElE flournoy

A respected intellect, this former under secretary of defense for policy could be defense secretary or principal deputy at DOD should Ash Carter leave for energy. He played a key role in Obama’s foreign policy/national defense debate prep. Keep an eye on her as future deputy national security advisor.

SuSan ricEIt’s unclear if Rice, who will remain as ambassador to the United Nations, will play any additional role in the new administration. Rice withdrew her name from consideration for secretary of state amid Republican outcries over her role as the Obama administration’s public mouthpiece in the early days of the Benghazi terrorism situation.

dEniS mcdonouGH

This key national security deputy is one of Obama’s closest foreign policy advisors and is likely to be named White House chief of staff. Though his background is foreign policy, his new post would require him to tackle a range of domestic issues and deal with Congress.

tom donilonObama’s national security advisor since 2010, Donilon previously served as agency review team lead in the State Dept. and as assistant secretary of state for public affairs in the Clinton administration.

vicE prESidEnt JoE bidEn

Obama’s loyal and likeable No. 2 proved to be a charismatic and valuable campaign trail asset. Speculation has already started about his potential 2016 presidential run.

bEn rHodES This former speechwriter is a very influential member of the administration’s foreign policy team and will continue in his current role as deputy national security advisor for strategic communication.

fOREIGN POLICY AdvISORS & RISERS

hONORAbLE mENTIONS

James clapperretired Air Force lieutenant general,

National intelligence director

rand beersNational protection and programs

directorate under secretary

brian mcKeondeputy assistant to the president, national security staff executive

secretary and chief of staff

Gayle Smithspecial assistant to the president and

senior director, Nsc

wendy Shermanu.s. diplomat under Hillary clinton

bill burnsu.s. diplomat/deputy secretary of state; highest-ranked u.s. foreign

service officer

tom nidesdeputy secretary of state for management and resources

puneet talwarspecial assistant to the president/

Nsc senior director, gulf states, iran and iraq

liz Sherwood-randallspecial assistant to the president/

Nsc senior director, europe

ivo daalderu.s. permanent representative to NAto specializing in european

security

Kurt campbellu.s. diplomat/assistant secretary of state, east Asian and pacific affairs

bruce riedelsaban center for Middle east policy,

Brookings, senior fellow

thomas pickeringretired u.s. ambassador

tommy vietorNsc spokesperson

Samantha powerspecial assistant/senior director,

Multilateral Affairs and Human rights

colin powell

bill clinton

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cEcilia muñozThe director of the White House Domestic Policy Council will likely remain to tackle the upcoming issue of comprehensive immigration reform, which Obama has pledged to address in his second term. She could be a possible candidate for labor secretary after immigration reform is addressed.

laEl brainardThe savvy and well-liked U.S. under secretary of treasury for international affairs could become the principal deputy if and when current Deputy Secretary of Treasury Neal Wolin leaves (possibly to head up USTR). Elevating her may be the only way to keep her husband Kurt Campbell at state.

JocElyn fryEMichelle Obama’s law school classmate is deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy and director of policy and special projects for the first lady. She oversees Michelle Obama’s issue portfolio, with a focus on women, families and engagement with the greater Washington, D.C. community.

cHriStina tcHEnThe former director of the White House Office of Public Engagement serves as assistant to the president, the first lady’s chief of staff, and executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

miKE fromanObama’s friend and Harvard Law classmate is assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor for International Economic Affairs, a position held jointly at the National Security Council and the National Economic Council. Rumors are that he’s in the mix to head up USTR along with Lael Brainard and Neal Wolin.

GEnE SpErlinGThe current director of the National Economic Council also held this position under Clinton and will stay on for a second term. Sperling is the point person for every major economic decision.

KarEn KornbluHObama’s ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) was a former domestic policy senior advisor who focused on communications policy and international trade for the president in the Senate and throughout his first campaign.

JEannE lambrEwThe president’s deputy assistant for health policy previously served as deputy director of the White House Office of Health Reform, which was instrumental in shaping the Affordable Care Act. Lambrew has a master’s and a doctorate in health policy from U.N.C. Chapel Hill’s School of Public Health.

robErto rodriGuEz

This special assistant for education was Sen. Ted Kennedy’s chief education counsel, managing the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s Democratic education agenda. He began working on the committee on the hill, developing No Child Left Behind.

rob naborS The White House’s director of legislative affairs will likely become deputy chief of staff for policy. He played a critical role in “fiscal cliff” talks with congressional leaders and will likely replace the departing incumbent, Nancy-Anne DeParle.

INAUGURATION SPECIAL | obamaland

ECONOmIC & dOmESTIC

POLICY AdvISORS & RISERS

hONORAbLE mENTIONS

neal wolin (deputy secretary of the treasury)

ruth porat (chief financial officer, Morgan

stanley, possible treasury deputy)

mary Jo white (likely sec chairman)

richard cordray (Nec deputy director)

Steve croley (president’s special assistant/senior

counsel)

Jason furman (Nec deputy director)

brian dees (deputy director, counsel, Nec)

Heather Higgenbottom (oMB deputy director)

kEY POLICY PLAYERS ON ThE hILL

nadeem Elshami (chief of staff, House Minority

leader Nancy pelosi)

david Krone (chief of staff, senate Majority

leader Harry reid)

mike Sommers (chief of staff, speaker John

Boehner)

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