Presidential Powers

Eric Holder

Eric Holder supported Mr Obama from early on in his presidential campaign
Barack Obama will appoint Eric Holder to the post of attorney-general, according to US media reports.

If confirmed, Mr Holder, 57, would be the first African-American to occupy the senior position.

He would also lead the administration's efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, a move Mr Obama has singled out as a priority.

He served as deputy attorney-general under Bill Clinton and currently works for law firm Covington and Burling.

Courtesy of BBC News

Know thy Frienemies

Rahm Emanuel

Barack Obama's White House Chief of Staff. (Right hand man)

Will bring to the job: An unusual hybrid of high-level experience as a top adviser to President Bill Clinton together with proven expertise as a Congressional leader and political strategist. Mr. Emanuel is also a close friend of Mr. Obama, a fellow Chicagoan.

As the No. 4 Democrat in the House and an architect of the Democratic majority, Mr. Emanuel knows Congress from the inside out after winning his seat in 2002. In the Clinton administration, he was aggressive, frequently profane and instrumental in shaping domestic policy on issues like health care, welfare and trade.

He earned the nickname Rahmbo for his determination and take-no-prisoners approach — an advantage when trying to bring a thorny issue to resolution, but a style that can be off-putting to those accustomed to gentility. In resigning his seat, Mr. Emanuel will be relinquishing a promising House career and aspirations to become speaker.

Courtesy of New York Times