Some of the same considerations are at play in picking a national security team. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry is lobbying for secretary of State, although Obama has been cautioned that would be received negatively by many Republicans.

Former Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia, who has attracted Obama's attention as a leader of anti-nuclear proliferation efforts, is another possibility.

Vice president-elect Joe Biden, currently chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is expected to have a major voice on national security. That's why a Biden ally, former Clinton United Nations Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, is a dark- horse candidate for secretary of State. Holbrooke supported Hillary Clinton during the primaries.

Obama, associates say, will also use several prominent retired generals such as ex-NATO commander and former Marine Corps Commandant James Jones for special assignments. This could include one of the top intelligence jobs. California Congresswoman Jane Harman, former ranking Democrat of the House Intelligence Committee, would also be a candidate.

One leading candidate for a Cabinet post is Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, an early Obama supporter. Napolitano, a former state attorney general, is being considered for U.S. attorney general.

Another governor and also an early Obama supporter, Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, is a favorite of the president-elect and probably could have her choice of several top Cabinet posts. Other positions surely will be filled by some Hispanics and blacks as well as faces not as familiar to Washington.

Time Magazine's Mark Halperin reported last night that Obama is considering asking former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican, to be education secretary. Powell, who endorsed Obama last month, has a longtime interest in the subject.

Should Emanuel be tapped quickly to be chief of staff, the rest of the White House advisers would fall in line soon. If the Illinois congressman isn't chosen, a strong alternative is former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota, Obama associates say.