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Obama's Cabinet picks swarm the Hill

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor January 13, 2009 08:00 AM

Today is the busiest yet on Capitol Hill for President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet in waiting.

Hillary Clinton will draw the most attention as she faces her confirmation hearing as secretary of state before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The personal politics surrounding the appearance will be fascinating. Clinton, the former first lady, clashed repeatedly with Obama during their Democratic nomination fight over international issues. And now, she will have to convince the committee -- and Obama supporters -- that she will carry out his vision. The committee is led by Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee who hankered for the secretary of state post himself, but settled for the panel chairmanship.

Besides Clinton, there are five other nominees with hearings today as well: Peter Orszag for Office of Management and Budget director and Robert Nabors II for OMB deputy director by the Senate Budget Committee; Shaun Donovan for secretary of housing and urban development by the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; Steven Chu for energy secretary by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; and Arne Duncan for education secretary by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Their confirmation hearings are all expected to go relatively smoothly. The one that most observers are awaiting is Thursday for Eric Holder as attorney general. Some Republicans have already vowed to grill Holder over issues such as last-minute pardons when he worked for President Clinton.

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