Obamaist Round-Up

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Nov 21, 2008 10:40PM

It's been a busy day for the President-Elect.

• It looks like Obama's cabinet is beginning to take shape. Reports are surfacing that Hilary Clinton will accept his offer to become Secretary of State, quite an olive branch after the sometimes vicious campaigning in the Democratic primary. It's also being reported that New York Federal Reserve President Tim Geithner has been selected by Obama to become his Treasury Secretary.
• Mayor Daley and Pat Ryan, presenting the case for Chicago 2016 before the European Olympic Committee, presented today a videotaped statement from Obama giving his full support to the Games in Chicago. Check it out below.
• As the inauguration draws closer and the market continues to tumble, many of Obama's advisers are doing their best to temper expectations of the new President. Robert Reich, Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton and current member of the Obama transition team, said:

  This might be a long haul. 2009 is going to be a very hard year. Some economists say we won't be out of this for two years, others are saying it may be three, or four, maybe five years. We all have to be very careful about the expectations that we are putting on this man, our president-elect. If we all assume it's going to be the first 100 days, we're going to be disappointed.

  Added David Axelrod, "One of his great strengths is he is never too high, he's never too low -- he's very focused."
• The Trib wrings its hands over whether or not Obama still smokes.
• Finally, it's good to know Obama hasn't forgotten how to enjoy a good corned beef sandwich. The P-E stepped out with adviser Valerie Jarrett for a little lunch at Manny's Cafeteria and Deli this afternoon.