As the public, pundits and politicians catch their breath after Barack Obama's historic victory Tuesday, the speculation move to whom the new president will be meeting around the Cabinet Room table.

Obama is expected to surround himself with key members of his campaign team, possibly some experienced Democratic governors who are approaching the end of their second terms, with backup from former members of the Clinton administration and a sprinkling of influential academics.

Rahm Emanuel, an Illinois congressman and close friend of Obama, has been offered the all-important job of White House Chief of Staff and is expected to accept, the New York Times is reporting.

Among those who are considered 'slam dunks' to join the Obama administration.

  • Obama's top campaign aides David Axelrod and David Plouffe, both of Chicago, will probably continue to be his top advisors in the White House. Both men were thanked in Obama's victory speech Tuesday night.
  • Robert Gates, George Bush's current Secretary of Defence, will probably keep his job for the time being.
  • Former Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota is expected to have a role in the Obama administration if he wants one.
  • Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, both Democrats who thrived in Republican states, are expected to gain slots in the cabinet. Napolitano is the frontrunner for attorney general, while Sebulius, who was considered for vice-president, could go into Education, Energy or Health.
  • Former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, who held the position under Democrat Jimmy Carter and Republican Ronald Reagan, is considered to be Obama's man for the all-important treasury position. Volcker, at age 81, would almost certainly be the most senior member of Obama's cabinet. He endorsed Obama in January.
  • Bill Richardson, the Governor of New Mexico and former secretary of energy under Bill Clinton, endorsed Obama in the primaries despite his close relationship with the Clintons. Richardson is one of the most prominent Latino politicians in the U.S. and could have a prominent public role, such as Secretary of State, in Obama's cabinet.

Other notables with a shot at cabinet include investor-extraordinaire Warren Buffet, Democrat Caroline Kennedy and Sen. Jack Reed.

Sen. Hillary Clinton has made public statements suggesting she would prefer to remain in the Senate.

Republicans in Obama's cabinet

Obama has said that he wants a bipartisan cabinet and there are a few prominent Republicans who are rumoured to be in consideration.

Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel is set to retire at the end of his term and has been reported to have a real shot at Secretary of Defense. Hagel was a vocal critic of the Bush Administration and the Iraq War.

Sen. Dick Lugar from Indiana, who worked with Obama on securing loose nuclear weapons in former Soviet states, is another Republican in contention for a job.

Former secretary of state Colin Powell endorsed Obama in October, who in turn mentioned that he might have a job for Powell. It's unlikely that Powell would get another shot at Secretary of State but Obama should be able to find a place for the respected retired general, though not necessarily in cabinet.

A true longshot, but still worth mentioning, is California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for the Secretary of Energy position. Schwarzenegger is one of the most progressive governors in the U.S. on the energy file, but backed McCain in the campaign.