Obama Eyeing Jim Steinberg As Dep. Secretary Of State, Official Says

Barack Obama is leaning towards appointing former deputy national security adviser Jim Steinberg as his Deputy Secretary of State, a well-connected Democratic source tells the Huffington Post.

The potential appointment of Steinberg -- an Obama adviser during the campaign, respected voice on international affairs, and Clinton-era national security official -- is significant for a variety of reasons, none more so than what it could mean for the department as a whole.

With Sen. Hillary Clinton reportedly set to accept the job of Secretary of State, questions have surrounded which other figures would fill out the staff. Steinberg is not a Clinton loyalist -- like, say, Richard Holbrooke -- having counseled Obama during the primary. He is well regarded throughout the party, known, as his former Brookings Institute colleague Michael O'Hanlon put it, as "an incredible networker, but someone who masters the substance as well." According to the New York Times, Clinton had been "reassured" by Obama that she "could select her own staff" as Secretary of State.

Steinberg has been rumored to be in the running for the post of national security adviser. Should he end up at State, that would almost certainly clear the NSA path for retired four-star general and former Marine commandant Jim Jones, who has been discussed as the frontrunner for the spot regardless.

Two other names that were once floated for that post no longer appear to be in the running. Greg Craig has taken the job of counsel to the president. Susan Rice, one of Obama's chief foreign policy aides on the campaign trail, has been thought to being heading towards an advisory role, a deputy position at the National Security Council, or the post of ambassador to the United Nations.

A former Clinton aide, discussing the construct of an Obama cabinet, noted that Craig and Rice were two of the most vocal critics of Sen. Clinton's foreign policy capacity and gravitas during the Democratic primary. It didn't seem coincidental, the source said, that they would not be working alongside Clinton in the future administration.

There are still many questions that surround Clinton's appointment to State, not least of which include when she will formally accept the appointment. On Sunday, the New York Times filled in some of the blanks, reporting that Clinton would be given direct access to the president if she went to Foggy Bottom -- a vital sticking point for the New York Democrat. What type of agreements Bill Clinton had to make during the vetting process still remain hazy, as does the question of what role (if any) he would play with his wife as the nation's chief diplomat.

Comments

[LightSword]

This guy is well connected to neoconservatives...

[partyofone]

If he is a check on the arrogance and self-serving agenda of Bill and Hillary Clinton, he's a much needed and welcomed addition.

[Stephen C. Rose - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks. A friend of mine at State said Powell was the best admin. she worked for. Because he kept up morale and broke assignments into doable chunks. I hope someone in the top leadership will take a leaf from that notion. I have linked to this post here

http://stephencrosehome.blogspot.com/2008/11/will-arnold-schwartzenegger-be-baracks.html .

[Academic]

I couldn't have put it better myself. Why if Barack Obama is so obsessed with the Clintons didn't he stand aside and let Hillary get the Democratic Party nomination? It really sickens me that he seems hellbent on filling all his key cabinet posts with Clintonistas. I'd even go a bit further and suggest that this new administration of his will be nothing more than an active mouthpiece - more so than even George W. Bush's - for the Zionists in whatever Israeli government there is. What a betrayal of all those who fell for his mantra of change. Where's the change? But having listened to his speech to AIPAC I don't think that any sensible person is really that surprised. All I can say is that as an active and very hardworking supporter and campaigner of Barack from the very outset of his presidential bid I'm hugely disappointed by what he's now doing. To be frank it disgusts me.

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore.

[cbates]

projections

[cbates]

I see we do not hesitate in negotiating with ourselves on certain issues. Mr. Obama has had no comments on all the speculation going on in the media. It will be good to see how well you all score with your perjections of who is on first.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

So the far right thinks Obama is a secret Mus lim.

The far left thinks Obama is a secret Zio nist.

You people are just pathetic because when you put a mirror up to the situation both sides are just as ignorant.

[okayigive]

The expectation game continues I see among the naysayers. I for one proudly continue to support President-elect O.bama and trust his judgment as he prepares to undertake the seemingly insurmountable odds of righting a sinking ship. I would think that with all he's faced with in making the right decisions to better our lives - an economic crisis getting closer to depression, energy crisis, global warming, wars (Iraq, Afghanistan, drugs, and crimes), failing educational system, unemployment, immigration, failing infrastructure, devastation from current and future natural disasters, potential "hot spots such as Iran, global instability; the last thing I would think he would have to deal with is the day in and day out distractions over choices he has made and feel will help him deal with this mess. Again I remind you this is not about what this person said or did to him, or whether or not any individual like or dislike any choice he makes. This is about us collectively and saving this country from further demise. You can continue to be a distraction with every selection or allow him to focus on the problems that ails us by finding a cure with those he considers capable, knowledgeable, motivated, and experienced enough to handle the task at hand. My question to some is why did you vote for someone you didn't believe was capable of making His own decisions and with leadership to help us all?

[weatherwaxx]

January 20, 2009.

From now to then, it's all speculation.

[ecotopian]

Another former Clintonian. This really is Bill's third term.

[weatherwaxx]

nonsense.

[BreezyinVA]

At least he isn't a Clinton Loyalist. I suppose that would be good to counter Hillary. He won't be a yes man (I'm hoping).

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

What word don't you people understand.

"Steinberg is not a Clinton loyalist -- like, say, Richard Holbrooke -- having counseled Obama during the primary. He is well regarded throughout the party, known, as his former Brookings Institute colleague Michael O'Hanlon put it, as "an incredible networker, but someone who masters the substance as well." According to the New York Times,"

He's a guy who was a national security advisor and not a major player with the Clintons.

When does your Clinton radar end at what level? I guess according to you troglodytes anyone that worked in government during the 90s was a Clintonite.

[beebst]

NO!

Obama I did not vote for you to put a billion Israel sympathizers in your cabinet!

What the heck is going on?

[itsthemedication]

Does Steinberg work for us or the Israelis? Just asking.

[Omidal]

Good question. I always find it fascinating how USA is in cocoon with Israel. How can we be an honest broker in the Palestine and Israel conflict when we provide more aid to Israel than any country on earth combined.

Maybe we should have a multilateral negotiation like the one we have in North Korea. And
Cut down on Military aid to Israel for a change. As long as they have the US protection there is no incentive to negotiate a peace deal since they already had militarily superior.

[larazon]

Ugh!

Susan Rice and Samantha Power deserve to be there, but they are more knowledgeable on foreign policy than Hillary and she doesn't like to be challenged. As opposed to PEObama she feels threatened by a team of rivals. She needs to surround herself with loyalists.

This is why I see trouble on the horizon.

[ebanks84]

Boy oh boy, the pessimism up here is overwhelming. Don't you guys got something better to do than sit here and rag Obama who isn't even our full-fledged president yet?

Give the guy a break. I know he's glad not to be married to any of you! Get a life! Or better yet, get a job and do something why don't you!

[Bitsko]

To answer your question, I don't think they do.

[ceti]

Why does he deserve a break? He will be president. He is a politician and he will have to serve the people, not the other way around. I'm amazed actually at all the craven fawning over Obama as a savior, when he is, as Rev. Wright put it, a politician first and foremost. His calculations however are edging towards freezing out his most ardent supporters in favor of the Washington establishment. It's time now to raze hell or forever keep your peace.

[truegreen]

People should reserve any criticism of Obama and wait until he actually governs on Jan 20, 2009.

[birchtree3]

Not just on January 20th but for months and years after that. It's going to take a long time to fix our problems. Obama doesn't have a magic want but he does have a great intellect and a real desire to make a difference. We'll all need to come together to make a difference, too.