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Obama builds up White House team Obama builds up White House team
(10 minutes later)
Barack Obama has started forming his administration by asking Rahm Emanuel, a former adviser to President Clinton, to be his chief-of-staff.Barack Obama has started forming his administration by asking Rahm Emanuel, a former adviser to President Clinton, to be his chief-of-staff.
US President-elect Obama is expected to appoint a new treasury secretary soon.US President-elect Obama is expected to appoint a new treasury secretary soon.
He has until his inauguration on 20 January to select his senior officials. President Bush has pledged his complete co-operation during the transition.He has until his inauguration on 20 January to select his senior officials. President Bush has pledged his complete co-operation during the transition.
Mr Obama was elected the first black US president on Tuesday with a resounding win over Republican rival John McCain.Mr Obama was elected the first black US president on Tuesday with a resounding win over Republican rival John McCain.
There has been speculation Mr Obama will ask Defence Secretary Robert Gates to remain in his post.There has been speculation Mr Obama will ask Defence Secretary Robert Gates to remain in his post.
Mr Gates is broadly respected by both parties and would reflect a more bipartisan administration, says the BBC's Jane O'Brien in Washington.Mr Gates is broadly respected by both parties and would reflect a more bipartisan administration, says the BBC's Jane O'Brien in Washington.
Mr Obama's victory was widely welcomed around the world.Mr Obama's victory was widely welcomed around the world.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called Tuesday's poll historic and said he and Mr Obama "share many values".UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called Tuesday's poll historic and said he and Mr Obama "share many values".
Chinese President Hu Jintao said he looked forward to strengthening dialogue. France's Nicolas Sarkozy said the poll had raised "enormous hope".Chinese President Hu Jintao said he looked forward to strengthening dialogue. France's Nicolas Sarkozy said the poll had raised "enormous hope".
CIA briefingsCIA briefings
Rahm Emanuel is an Illinois congressman and tough Washington insider who has been strongly criticised by some Republicans for being too partisan, our correspondent says.Rahm Emanuel is an Illinois congressman and tough Washington insider who has been strongly criticised by some Republicans for being too partisan, our correspondent says.
Barack Obama speaks to jubilant crowds at his victory rally in ChicagoBarack Obama speaks to jubilant crowds at his victory rally in Chicago
If he accepts the position of chief-of-staff, he would be responsible for much of the internal management of the new administration.If he accepts the position of chief-of-staff, he would be responsible for much of the internal management of the new administration.
But critics say his appointment could accentuate party divides, rather than heal them, as Mr Obama has pledged.But critics say his appointment could accentuate party divides, rather than heal them, as Mr Obama has pledged.
With the country in the throes of an economic slowdown and part of the global financial crisis, the post of treasury secretary will be another key post, our correspondent adds.With the country in the throes of an economic slowdown and part of the global financial crisis, the post of treasury secretary will be another key post, our correspondent adds.
Likely contenders for the post reportedly include former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Timothy Geithner, the current head of the New York Federal Reserve.Likely contenders for the post reportedly include former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Timothy Geithner, the current head of the New York Federal Reserve.
With the business of preparing for government under way, Mr Obama will from Thursday start receiving the president's daily CIA briefings, which will include updates on covert operations.With the business of preparing for government under way, Mr Obama will from Thursday start receiving the president's daily CIA briefings, which will include updates on covert operations.
'Unprecedented''Unprecedented'
Projected results from Tuesday's election have yet to be announced for the states of North Carolina and Missouri, which are believed to be too close to call.Projected results from Tuesday's election have yet to be announced for the states of North Carolina and Missouri, which are believed to be too close to call.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT 9 Dec: Deadline for states to resolve issues such as recounts or challenges15 Dec: Electoral college electors meet in each state to formally cast their votes6 Jan: Joint session of Congress to count electoral college votesBefore 20 Jan: Barack Obama and Joe Biden must resign from the Senate20 Jan: Inauguration day Profile: Rahm EmanuelElection results in fullDemocrats tighten Senate gripIn pictures: Result reactionWHAT HAPPENS NEXT 9 Dec: Deadline for states to resolve issues such as recounts or challenges15 Dec: Electoral college electors meet in each state to formally cast their votes6 Jan: Joint session of Congress to count electoral college votesBefore 20 Jan: Barack Obama and Joe Biden must resign from the Senate20 Jan: Inauguration day Profile: Rahm EmanuelElection results in fullDemocrats tighten Senate gripIn pictures: Result reaction
But with most precincts tallied, Mr Obama's share of the popular vote stands at 52.3%, compared with Mr McCain's 46.4%.But with most precincts tallied, Mr Obama's share of the popular vote stands at 52.3%, compared with Mr McCain's 46.4%.
Turnout was reported to be extremely high - in some places "unprecedented" in what many Americans said they felt was a historic election.Turnout was reported to be extremely high - in some places "unprecedented" in what many Americans said they felt was a historic election.
It was predicted that 130 million Americans had voted - the highest turn-out since 1960.It was predicted that 130 million Americans had voted - the highest turn-out since 1960.
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington said that by selecting Mr Obama, Americans had made two fundamental statements about themselves: that they were profoundly unhappy with the status quo; and that they were slamming the door on the country's racial past. The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington said that by selecting Mr Obama, Americans had made two fundamental statements about themselves: that they were profoundly unhappy with the status quo; and that they were slamming the door on the racial division of the past.
The entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats were also contested in Tuesday's elections.The entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats were also contested in Tuesday's elections.
The Democrats increased their Senate majority by five seats, but fell short of the 60 needed to stop blocking tactics by Republicans.The Democrats increased their Senate majority by five seats, but fell short of the 60 needed to stop blocking tactics by Republicans.
They also increased their majority in the House of Representatives, gaining 20 seats to give a total 252, leaving the Republicans with 173.They also increased their majority in the House of Representatives, gaining 20 seats to give a total 252, leaving the Republicans with 173.