Emanuel, Kerry on Obama's list?

President-elect Barack Obama wants Congressman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, a close friend and supporter, as his chief of staff, the Associated Press is reporting.

The AP also reports that Democratic officials say that Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, the party's nominee in 2004, is actively seeking the post as secretary of state.

UPDATE: Kerry's spokeswoman, Bridig O'Rourke, disputed the reports. "It's not true. It's ridiculous," she told the AP.

The appointment of Emanuel, who served as a political and policy adviser to President Clinton, isn't expected today, though some media organizations are reporting that he has accepted the job.

Instead, the AP said, Obama plans to announce that his transition team would be headed by John Podesta, who served as chief of staff under Clinton; Pete Rouse, who has been Obama's chief of staff in the Senate; and Valerie Jarrett, a friend of the president-elect and campaign adviser.