Obama’s appointments look a lot like ‘90s

Is anyone else noticing a weird coincidence regarding President Elect Barack Obama’s early picks for his senior staff and the names being floated for cabinet positions? I have, and it is principally this: Obama seems to be going to the Clinton well more than he indicated he would and more than most expected.

Let’s consider some of the appointments he has made thus far:

John Podesta is a part of the leadership team organizing Obama’s transition effort. Podesta was chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton.

Rahm Emmanuel will be Obama’s chief of staff, one of the most important jobs in the administration. Emmanuel cut his political teeth during the Clinton years, serving in several different roles during Clinton’s eight years in the White House.

It’s been reported that Greg Craig will serve as White House Counsel, Obama’s lawyer so to speak. Craig is a longtime Clinton friend and represented the president during the impeachment proceedings.

If reports are to be believed, Obama’s top two candidates for Secretary of State both have close ties to the Clintons. In fact, one is a Clinton… Hillary Clinton. Many are now reporting that the job is hers if she wants it. The other top contender is New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Richardson served Bill Clinton as UN Ambassador and Secretary of Energy. Richardson broke with the Clintons earlier this year when he endorsed Obama after suspending his own presidential campaign.

Ron Klain will serve as Vice President Elect Joe Biden’s chief of staff. Klain is a Washington insider who worked on both of Bill Clinton’s presidential bids as well as Al Gore’s. He also has long ties to Biden.

Finally, one of the top contenders for Secretary of Treasury is Larry Summers. Summers was Bill Clinton’s last Treasury Secretary.

I’m not passing judgment on any of these appointments or potential appointments. All of them are talented and come with a strong resume. In fact, one could easily argue that during these troubled times an experienced team like this is needed to lead our country. But, Obama won the election in part on his message of change. Does this represent the change many of his supporters expected and/or wanted?

UPDATE: According to the politicalwire.com, several news agencies have confirmed that Eric Holder is Obama’s pick for Attorney General. Holder was a deputy in Clinton’s Justice Department. So, yet another top level position appears to be going to a Clinton-ite.

This is significant for another reason. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine had been rumored to be on the list of candidates for this position. Kaine has stated publicly and privately that he won’t leave the governor’s mansion until his term is up in January 2010, but some people wondered if he would be able to turn down a plea from the incoming president to serve as his attorney general. If this news is correct, it would appear Kaine won’t have to make that decision.