However, one Wall Street veteran suggested that Geithner's role in the Bush administration's bailout program could cause controversy. "I would expect his confirmation hearings to be animated, with some strong opposition asking questions about his involvement in the AIG, Lehman, Goldman, Morgan and Bear decisions by the New York Fed," said Joshua Rosner, managing director at research firm Graham Fisher & Co. in New York.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the senior Republican on the Finance Committee, said, "I look forward to reviewing the nominee's background and having a dialogue with him about the Troubled Asset Relief Program, tax policy, expanding America's access to foreign markets and bringing the country's fiscal house in order."

Unlike Geithner's reported selection, the Clinton saga was proving to be one of the longest-running and more public of the secrecy-shrouded search for an Obama Cabinet.

A week ago, the New York senator flew unannounced to Chicago to meet with the president-elect. That gave way to days of negotiations in which her husband, former President Bill Clinton, agreed to disclose the names of donors to his library and charitable foundation in anticipation of the close scrutiny her nomination would be sure to face.

Obama has moved with unusual speed to select officials for his administration. And one Democrat said John Podesta, a leader of the transition team, had told Senate aides on Friday that Obama hoped for speedy confirmation so the new administration could get to work quickly after Jan. 20.

Obama also is filling out the ranks of his White House staff.

He named Patrick Gaspard as his political director. Gaspard was Obama's national political director during the general election campaign, and has long ties to labor.

Other appointments included: Jackie Norris as chief of staff to first lady Michelle Obama; Catherine M. Russell as chief of staff to Vice President-elect Joe Biden's wife Jill; Cynthia Hogan, as counsel to the vice president, and Moises V. Vela Jr. as director of administration for the vice president.