voa标准英语2008年-Tom Daschle Agrees to Join Obama Cabinet

（单词翻译）

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Denver in this 27 Aug 2008 file photo

Tom Daschle would be a high profile pick to to overhaul³ the U.S. healthcare system. As Health and Human Services secretary, Daschle would play a pivotal role in President-elect Obama' plans to extend healthcare coverage⁴ to the 47 million Americans - nearly one-sixth of the total population - who do not have health insurance.

The South Dakota Democrat¹ was an early supporter of Mr. Obama's presidential bid and a close adviser⁵ to him throughout the campaign.

Eric Holder is reported to be Mr. Obama's choice to head the Justice Department. The 57-year-old son of a Barbados immigrant would be charged with restoring public confidence in the department, which has been damaged by charges of political meddling⁶ under President Bush and his former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Holder held the number two post at the Justice Department under former President Bill Clinton, and has also served as a federal prosecutor⁷. The two cabinet choices have not yet been officially announced.
　

Hillary Clinton (file)

Speculation⁸ continues about whether or not Mr. Obama's former Democratic rival for the White House, Senator Clinton, will join his cabinet. Presidential historian and NBC analyst⁹ Doris Kearns Goodwin said Clinton would bring tremendous advantages to the position.

"For one thing it means you are going to have someone inside your inner circle who is able to argue with you, she is a strong-minded person, and you need options within your inner circle," she explained.

Reports say President Clinton has offered to provide information that would help in the approval process for the secretary of state job by releasing the names of some of his major donors¹⁰ to his charitable organization. Democratic sources say Mr. Clinton is also likely to submit future foundation activities and paid speeches to strict ethics¹¹ reviews. University of Virginia political analyst Larry Sabato told CBS he believes the job is hers if her husband makes his finances transparent¹².

"President-elect Obama clearly is willing to appoint Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State if Bill Clinton agrees to become transparent on the financial side," he noted¹³.

Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin told MSNBC she believes current presidents do not make enough use of the counsel of former presidents, and that Bill Clinton as a spouse¹⁴ would be an asset.

"So I think whatever complications Bill will bring, the idea that he might be within that inner circle to offer advice and suggestions, and even arguments, I think can only be much better than whatever the difficulties they are going to bring," she added.

Reports say Senator Clinton is seriously weighing whether to leave her seat as U.S Senator from New York to join Mr. Obama's cabinet. Senator Clinton is passionate¹⁵ about health care and a number of other domestic issues, which she would have to give up if she became secretary of state.