IS HE BUILDING A DREAM TEAM, OR A BAD EPISODE OF "THE VIEW?"

For a man who earned himself the nickname "No-Drama Obama" during the campaign, the president-elect seems to be assembling a surprisingly high-maintenance cabinet, writes Helene Cooper in the New York Times. From Larry Summers to Rahm Emanuel to Hillary Clinton, the partners that Obama has chosen or considered have big personalities and enjoy a cat fight—which could quickly turn his cabinet of rivals into a lion's den.
Some choices, especially Summers as possible treasury secretary, have drawn particular ire from the Democratic grass roots. But insiders say that Obama is girding for tough battles and wants heavy hitters in his administration. And aides to the president-elect say that it's nothing new: his press secretary Robert Gibbs is "no shrinking violet," and his choice of Joe Biden for VP demonstrated "a self-confidence and a willingness to tolerate internal conflict.

Lawrence Summers, former Harvard president (pictured to the right), is a veteran of the Clinton administration (treasury secretary), and a slam dunk pick as the top economic advisor to Obama, will certainly be Clinton approved. How he will interact with former Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner, on tap to be nominated to be Treasury secretary, the top economic post in the Cabinet, remains to be seen. Rumors on the hill are that Summers was somewhat slighted when he didn't get the top economic spot in the cabinet. Adding to his misery is in the knowing he was Geithner's mentor in the Clinton administration, especially during the Asian money crisis in the late 90's. Summers will continue to be Geithner's mentor, only this time he won't have the final say.

Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, the top cabinet post, and face of the nation to the world, does have some definable issues with the proposed Obama foreign relations platform. To what extent Clinton will represent the Obama vision, and downplay her own, more moderate philosophy will largely determine her relationship with the next President. Needless to say, there is a slight to moderate distrust between these two, which could manifest itself in many interesting ways, most of them not good.

Joe Lieberman, Chairman of the all-important Homeland Securities Committee in the Senate, despite sharply criticizing Obama during his strong, near career ending support of John McCain during the election. The independent senator from Connecticut hammered the President elect on his experience to lead the nation during these times of intense issues. Lieberman may be an old friend of the Clinton's, but hard feelings still exist over the Senator's harsh criticism of Bill during his two terms, primarily due to his philandering, and last minute pardons. Although weary, he will be Clinton approved.
And here is the rub. Bill Richardsen, the current governor of New Mexico, is being penciled in to be Commerce secretary. Richardson is a former Clintonite under Clinton administration. Many would say he would be nothing without Bill Clinton's help. This did not, however, stop him from coming out and endorsing Obama, a Judas like knife in the back to the Clinton family, to be sure.

Let's throw in two wild cards.......John Kerry and John Edwards. Is there anything in the cabinet for a philandering, albeit ardent supporter of Obama during the campaign (Edwards)? Obviously, he is keeping himself way under the radar, but it would be Obama like to pardon the one time presidential hopeful, and second on the 2004 Kerry ticket. This would not be Clinton approved, to be sure. During the campaign, and especially during the debates, Obama and Edwards took turns attacking Hillary, with Edwards proclaiming himself to be a partner with Obama as the only "agents of change." Oh, but it runs deeper than this.

Which brings me to John Kerry. Here is where it gets juicy. Kerry, a contender for secretary of state before Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) became the odds-on favorite, will accept the gavel as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week, replacing Joe Biden, who has been inexplicably been promoted to VP. Would it have been Edwards rather than Biden for that pick if Edwards could have kept his gavel inside his zipper? We will never know. But, when it comes to Obama, Edwards brought ass-kissing to an absolute art form.

But back to Kerry. What significance does Kerry taking over the committee chair for Biden have to Clinton? As chairman, Kerry would preside over nomination hearings for President-elect Barack Obama’s State Department appointees, including Clinton, if she gets the nod.

Good for Clinton? Not so fast. Clinton did not come out and endorse Kerry during his 2004 run, which was a huge slight. Kerry, of course, returned the political favor by not only coming out semi-early for Obama, but connecting him with a vast network of high financed donors, as well.

And, who to rein in these high powered, high priced, high octane egos on cabinet posts? No one short of bull dog in chief (Chief of Staff, and number one advisor to the president), Rahm Emanuel, one of the most out spoken leaders in congress (and a former Clintonite). Emanuel, a devotee of three and four letter words, not all of them prepositions, has absolutely no qualms going toe to toe with the most senior, veteran governmental leaders. One thing for sure, Emanuel will control access to Obama, and has the next President's trust and ear. They are ex-fellow Chicago politicians, and good friends (I have been waiting to hear Emanuals name come up in the rezco trial as well). Witness this Obama roast of Emanuel, and you will see the relationship as it unfolded. One thing for sure, Emanuel has the faith and admiration of the next President, now all he needs is a whip and a chair....