Americans will elect not only a president today, but also his huge team of aides, advisers and bureaucrats who will help the winner run the government for the next four years.
Clearly a John McCain presidency would be more conservative than a Barack Obama presidency. Beyond the ideological and partisan divides, however, are differences in style, tone and pedigree that would distinguish one administration from the other.
Senator Obama, if he wins, appears likely to draw several of his top aides, including some Cabinet secretaries, from three key sources: Democratic governors midway through their second and final terms in office; former top appointees of Bill Clinton’s administration; and political pros from Obama’s hometown of Chicago.
Senator McCain, a former Navy officer whose father and grandfather were admirals, is likely to rely more heavily on current and retired military officials. He probably would draw more people from the corporate world, and somewhat fewer people from think tanks and academia, than would Obama, people close to the candidates said.
Numerous lists of potential appointees are circulating in Washington, Chicago and Arizona.
People close to Obama believe he would offer jobs to some or all of a quartet of Democratic governors who campaigned hard for him, even if a couple of them opposed him initially.
Two, who have thrived in Republican-leaning states — Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius — backed Obama from the start. Napolitano is seen as a possible attorney general. Sebelius is mentioned as a possible secretary of education, commerce, energy or health and human services.
Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania is seen as a possible pick for the top energy or transportation posts. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who sought the presidential nomination himself, is thought to be on a short list for secretary of state.
Top Obama campaign aides David Axelrod and David Plouffe of Chicago would be probable picks for senior adviser or political posts. Officials say Obama already has approached Representative Raum Emanuel of Chicago, who got his political start with Clinton, as a possible White House chief of staff. Campaign aide Robert Gibbs has the inside track to be press secretary.
McCain, in picking his transition chief, set a tone that he would carry into the White House if elected, associates say. He tapped former Navy secretary John Lehman, one of several prominent military officials close to him.
Lehman might serve as defense secretary or senior adviser in a McCain administration, sources say. McCain, who says US troops should not leave Iraq until victory is secured, might ask current Defense Secretary Robert Gates to stay, at least a while.
At least two of McCain’s vanquished Republican rivals could land administration jobs if he wins. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani has been mentioned as a possible attorney general. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney could contend for several other posts.
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