The rumor mill in Washington has been in overdrive with people buzzing about Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s possible chief of staff pick. The name on the tip of everyone’s tongue is Robert Klain, the former chief of staff for Vice President Al Gore.
On Wednesday, Biden reportedly asked Klain to fill the position, says Roll Call. Though the Obama-Biden transition team has not confirmed the rumors, “It’s been a done deal since last week” says ABC News and Politico.com.
Obama is moving swiftly to fill cabinet positions. As reports of administration appointments abound , the Obama team made efforts to dispel some of the inaccuracies yesterday after the Associated Press incorrectly stated that former President Clinton official Warren Christopher would be working with the Obama-Biden transition team. The AP also overstated the role of of former Sen. Sam Nunn on the transition team.
But as the nation faces economic distress, people have been clamoring for insight into the make up of an Obama administration. Highly anticipated is the new treasury secretary. Yesterday, Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson announced the withdrawal of the massive financial sector bailout.
Klain served as Gore’s chief lawyer during the Florida recount in 2000. A former Supreme Court clerk, he also worked for O’Melveny & Myers and the investment firm Revolution. If appointed, Klain will add to a long line of former Clinton aides who’ve joined Obama in his transition into the White House which include a number if the tranistion’s agency review team members announced yesterday. They’ll be reviewing the departments of defense, treasury and state and providing information to Obama to use in selecting cabinet members and going forward with policy. Prior to that, John Podesta, former Clinton chief of staff, was chosen to co-chair the Obama-Biden transition team.
Biden met with with Vice President Dick Cheney privately this evening at the vice president’s official residence at the Naval Observatory. Biden and his wife Jill received a tour of their future home from Cheney and his wife, Lynne.
Renita Burns is the editorial assistant at BlackEnterprise.com