Mitchell Impressed by Obama's 'All-Star Cabinet' of 'Smartest People'

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While ABC, CBS and NBC on Friday night all touted how news that New York Federal Reserve President Tim Geithner will be nominated for Secretary of the Treasury fueled a market rebound, NBC was the most excited with Andrea Mitchell, sounding completely in the tank, hailing President-elect Obama's “all-star cabinet” as she maintained “Obama is determined to pick the strongest, smartest people he can find, knowing that he is facing an economic crisis of historic proportions.” A Nexis search turned up no references on NBC, in December 2000-January 2001, to President-elect Bush's “all-star cabinet” though it featured some stars, such as Colin Powell.

NBC Nightly News put “OBAMA MOVES THE MARKET” on screen as anchor Brian Williams teased: “On our broadcast here tonight, Obama moves the market. Stocks go on a huge rally with first word of the President-elect's choice of a Treasury Secretary.” As he set up Mitchell, viewers saw “TAKING ACTION” beneath a picture of Obama.

Mitchell concluded her piece on the Friday, November 21 NBC Nightly News:

....Democratic officials also tell NBC News, Bill Richardson, New Mexico Governor and former Clinton cabinet member and presidential candidate, will be named Monday to be Commerce Secretary, making him Obama's first high-profile Hispanic appointee.

The focus on the economy has postponed rolling out Obama's national security team until after Thanksgiving. Barring unforeseen developments, Hillary Clinton is on track to become Secretary of State. Robert Gates, a Republican, is most likely to remain as Defense Secretary. And former Marine commandant Jim Jones is the front-runner for National Security Adviser, to keep all those strong cabinet secretaries in line.

Although some critics say that his all-star cabinet might be difficult to manage, Obama is determined to pick the strongest, smartest people he can find, knowing that he is facing an economic crisis of historic proportions.