CNN reports that Congressman Rahm Emanuel, 48, has accepted the offer of "Chief of Staff" to Barack Obama. And I couldn't help thinking about the tv show "The West Wing" (as I said to Stu lat night "hey, Matt Santos won!", as the show showcased White House staffers in a fascinating fictional way. Over the years f the tv show, the rle of Chief of Staff was played by two of the best actors I've ever seen. John Spencer was Leo McGarry and he was replaced late in the season by the brilliant C J Cregg, played by the equally brilliant Allison Janney. In reading a book about this show (I also have two books containing scripts from the show, that's hw much I liked it - Aaron Sorkin is the most amazingly talented writer, especially of dialogue) I even learned a bit about the job of "Chief of staff" and realized from it that this was not a "given", that not every president has a chief of staff.

But the silly unavoidable link in my head kept coming back. So it's time to play "Cast the White House!" Who's your pick? Cabinet members, ambassadors, supreme court Justices (there will likely be a vacancy in the next, let's say eight years), so let's hear names. Isn't this fun? Fantasy Washington.

Stu and I have been saying from the get-go that we want Bill Richardson in a major post. Wouldn't it be great to have a truly bilingual person in a position where he could truly serve? Stu thought "UN Ambassador" again which I think it a groovy idea. Not to diminish what he's done, but even as Secretary of Education, his skills and knowledge would send a message. the guy does know diplomacy and believes in it as a useful tool, not just something you pretend to try when saber-rattling doesn't work. But maybe the environment needs him as champion.

Energy? National Security Advisor? Head of the NEA? Labor?

And don't be limited by party. The word apparently is out that Obama means seriously that bipartisanship will matter in his White House and probably not just as a token position. the Chicago Tribune is carrying a story today suggesting that Richard Lugar, a Republican might be in the running for Secretary of State along with John Kerry to Colin Powell (not a surprise there either.) I'm even seeing a few Kennedys (Caroline and her cousin Robert, Junior

Some folks I'd like to see? John Lewis of Georgia. My old mentor and friend Bill Cibes from Connecticut (obscure for most of you but he man is brilliant, a Democrat to the core, caring and understands politics); If he loses the Minnesoa race, Al Franken. There aren't a lot of women coming to mind, which bothers me, but I have no huge love of either of my state's senators, either Patty Murray or Maria Cantwell. But I just saw one name that I'd like to see, Eleanor Holmes Norton, long-time DC representative. Which brings long-time representative Maxine Waters to mind. Maybe I'm still tired (and i am a bit) from the power and emotion of Tuesday night but names people, we need names!!

This one bore you? Then let's hear ideas for the Inauguration. Who should perform? What music would stand as a theme for the event?