ID :
30814
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 16:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/30814
The shortlink copeid
Obama quits Senate, starts building core team
Washington, Nov 17 (PTI) "Ending one journey to begin
another," President-elect Barack Obama Monday officially quit
the U.S. Senate to concentrate on assembling his core team
that will serve him in his historic journey to the White
House.
By resigning from the Senate, the 47-year-old first-time
Democratic Senator from Illinois, who defeated his Republican
rival John McCain in the November 4 presidential election, has
removed himself from any official role in the lame-duck
session of Congress that will convene this week.
Obama announced his resignation from the Senate in a
letter published in Illinois newspapers, telling his
constituents, "I will never forget, and will forever be
grateful, to the men and women of this great state who made my
life in public service possible."
Observing that he is "ending one journey to begin
another," Obama said that he is stepping down "to prepare for
the responsibilities I will assume as our nation's next
president."
Obama will be sworn-in as the 44th President of the
United States on January 20, 2009.
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has said he will
appoint a replacement senator by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Obama has also laid more groundwork for the
start of his administration by deciding on additional members
of his senior staff, including a White House counsel, as he
prepared to meet with Senator McCain at his transition office
in downtown Chicago.
The meeting comes days after Obama sat down separately
with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and New Mexico Governor
Bill Richardson, both of whom opposed him in the Democratic
primaries.
Obama has not yet announced any Cabinet selections,
although the meetings with Clinton and Richardson triggered
speculation that one was imminent, since both are said to be
on his shortlist for secretary of state.
While Congress debates how best to help the economy,
Obama is expected to continue building his governing team in
the coming days, Washington Post reported.
Obama Sunday made some top-tier appointments to the
White House. Washington lawyer Gregory B. Craig will be White
House counsel, it said, quoting a person involved in the
transition.
Craig had defended President Bill Clinton against
impeachment charges. During the campaign, Craig became a close
adviser to Obama, and he served as the stand-in for McCain
during debate preparations.
Obama's Senate chief of staff, Peter M. Rouse, was
officially announced as a senior White House adviser. Two
deputy chiefs of staff were also announced: Jim Messina and
Mona K. Sutphen.
Thus far, Obama's selections have been mostly a mix of
Washington veterans -- many with ties to the Clinton
administration -- and trusted campaign aides. Late last week,
the president-elect named close friend and adviser Valerie
Jarrett as a senior White House aide. Campaign strategist
David Axelrod will also hold a senior advisory role. PTI AKJ
PMR
NNNN
another," President-elect Barack Obama Monday officially quit
the U.S. Senate to concentrate on assembling his core team
that will serve him in his historic journey to the White
House.
By resigning from the Senate, the 47-year-old first-time
Democratic Senator from Illinois, who defeated his Republican
rival John McCain in the November 4 presidential election, has
removed himself from any official role in the lame-duck
session of Congress that will convene this week.
Obama announced his resignation from the Senate in a
letter published in Illinois newspapers, telling his
constituents, "I will never forget, and will forever be
grateful, to the men and women of this great state who made my
life in public service possible."
Observing that he is "ending one journey to begin
another," Obama said that he is stepping down "to prepare for
the responsibilities I will assume as our nation's next
president."
Obama will be sworn-in as the 44th President of the
United States on January 20, 2009.
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has said he will
appoint a replacement senator by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Obama has also laid more groundwork for the
start of his administration by deciding on additional members
of his senior staff, including a White House counsel, as he
prepared to meet with Senator McCain at his transition office
in downtown Chicago.
The meeting comes days after Obama sat down separately
with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and New Mexico Governor
Bill Richardson, both of whom opposed him in the Democratic
primaries.
Obama has not yet announced any Cabinet selections,
although the meetings with Clinton and Richardson triggered
speculation that one was imminent, since both are said to be
on his shortlist for secretary of state.
While Congress debates how best to help the economy,
Obama is expected to continue building his governing team in
the coming days, Washington Post reported.
Obama Sunday made some top-tier appointments to the
White House. Washington lawyer Gregory B. Craig will be White
House counsel, it said, quoting a person involved in the
transition.
Craig had defended President Bill Clinton against
impeachment charges. During the campaign, Craig became a close
adviser to Obama, and he served as the stand-in for McCain
during debate preparations.
Obama's Senate chief of staff, Peter M. Rouse, was
officially announced as a senior White House adviser. Two
deputy chiefs of staff were also announced: Jim Messina and
Mona K. Sutphen.
Thus far, Obama's selections have been mostly a mix of
Washington veterans -- many with ties to the Clinton
administration -- and trusted campaign aides. Late last week,
the president-elect named close friend and adviser Valerie
Jarrett as a senior White House aide. Campaign strategist
David Axelrod will also hold a senior advisory role. PTI AKJ
PMR
NNNN
