Jina Hassan of Foreign Policy sent over the following link to the foreign policy choices by several leading experts. It seems the consensus pick for Defense Secretary is the existing Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, but I've heard he wants no part of after Inauguration Day. Some of the other selections are interesting, ranging from Strobe Talbott or James Baker at Secretary of State to Hillary Clinton or Warren Buffett as Treasury Secretary.
I think it's a game of name recognition and throwing names out there to see what sticks.
I don't think many of these choices will end up coming to fruition, but they do make for interesting speculation.
UPDATE:
Going down the line, here are some of my predictions for Obama's cabinet.
Secretary of State: Strobe Talbott
National Security Adviser: James Steinberg
Director of Central Intelligence: Richard Holbrooke
Director of Homeland Security: Jane Harman
The preceding four names are interchangeable and I can imagine any of the four taking any of the other four positions. All are considered credible and experienced, which is an absolute must given Obama's own complete and utter lack of experience on national security and foreign policy. Susan Rice should also be in consideration for at least an undersecretary of one of the aforementioned posts, if not the top slot at State or as National Security Adviser.
Attorney General: Current New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo
US Ambassador to United Nations: Caroline Kennedy - who gets rewarded for her assistance in picking Joe Biden.
Secretary of Defense: Sen. Chuck Hagel or Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) (here's your bipartisanship)
Secretary of Interior: Sen. Ken Salazar
Secretary of the Treasury: Robert Reich, and while I think some people are floating the names of Mayor Mike Bloomberg or New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, Reich has the inside edge as an early supporter of Obama and even has a blog. Bloomberg craves being in the spotlight, and cabinet position doesn't work for him. Corzine could go for this, if offered. New Jersey would love it if Corzine disappeared, leaving Richard Codey in charge (again).
Press Secretary: Chris Matthews (just seeing if you're paying attention)
Secretary of Energy: I know many folks are throwing out the name of Arnold Schwarzenegger, but I don't see that happening. Bill Richardson has a better chance of having this slot than Arnold.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Il)
Secretary of Education: Bill Ayers (only kidding); Bob Kerrey (current President of the New School in NYC)
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Former New Hampshire Gov. Howard Dean (who also headed up the DNC)
Secretary of Agriculture: Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack
Secretary of Commerce: Richard Parsons (via AOLTimeWarner)
Secretary of Labor: Tom Daschle (former US Senator)
Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Former Sen. Max Cleland (D-Ga.)
Secretary of Transportation: Iris Weinshall, the former head of the NYC Dept. of Transportation, and wife of Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY).
Politico has their own thoughts on the matter.
UPDATE:
The New York Times proffers its own list, and notes that many are keeping mum lest they jeopardize their chances before confirmation with making statements that might get them in trouble.
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