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Bill, Gore, Rubin Guide Obama in Spirit

Bill, Al Gore and Robert Rubin leave mark on transition

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 20, 2009 9:30 AM CST
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(Newser) – Three of Barack Obama’s most important advisers will accompany him to the Oval Office only in spirit, Gerald Seib writes in the Wall Street Journal: Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Robert Rubin. In leaving behind a healthy record as Democratic building blocks, the Clinton years left Obama “what we didn’t have, which is a usable past,” says a Clinton transition member.

Gore has shaped the thinking of Obama’s energy and environmental teams; Obama’s environment “czar” worked for Gore, and Obama’s energy secretary is in the Gore mold on climate change. Obama’s top economic seats have been filled with protégés of Rubin, Clinton’s Treasury secretary. Bill himself is, of course, represented by his wife at State, and his “pragmatism and centrism” have deeply influenced Obama’s thinking.

Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner, left, and National Economic Council Director-designate Lawrence Summers are proteges of Robert Rubin.
Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner, left, and National Economic Council Director-designate Lawrence Summers are proteges of Robert Rubin.   (AP Photo)
Former President Bill Clinton, right, greets his former Vice President Al Gore, before a panel discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in New York.
Former President Bill Clinton, right, greets his former Vice President Al Gore, before a panel discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in New York.   (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
President Bill Clinton tries to pull First Lady Hillary Clinton a little closer to himself and Tipper Gore, while Vice President Al Gore addresses a rally August 15, 2000 in Monroe, MI.
President Bill Clinton tries to pull First Lady Hillary Clinton a little closer to himself and Tipper Gore, while Vice President Al Gore addresses a rally August 15, 2000 in Monroe, MI.   (Getty Images)
Energy Secretary-designate Steven Chu thinks like Al Gore on climate change and alternative fuels.
Energy Secretary-designate Steven Chu thinks like Al Gore on climate change and alternative fuels.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
President Clinton--seen with Al Gore, back right, in this photo from their 1993 inauguration--has plenty of influence on the incoming administration, if no official role.
President Clinton--seen with Al Gore, back right, in this photo from their 1993 inauguration--has plenty of influence on the incoming administration, if no official role.   (AP Photo)
Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin counts various proteges among Barack Obama's key officials, including Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner.
Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin counts various proteges among Barack Obama's key officials, including Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner.   (AP Photo)
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Bill: Obama will end divisive tactics
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Barack Obama • Democrats • Al Gore • White House • Bill Clinton • Robert Rubin • legacy • transition team • President Obama

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