Obama to name his Cabinet’s new mix for the second term

President Barack Obama is giving due consideration to his Cabinet’s new mix at a time when his decisions for the economy are already being viewed with cynicism. Some of the newcomers have already been selected and by next week he is expected to name two additional new members.

Obama has already announced Sen. John Kerry as his pick to replace retiring Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, after a much heated debate over considering UN Ambassador Susan Rice for the soon to be vacated position. Rice faced immense opposition from House Republicans over her response after the Benghazi attacks.

As for the Secretary of Defense, all signs point toward the selection of former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel to replace Leon Panetta. The decision is to arrive as soon as Monday, a source told ABC News. Hagel, the Nebraska lawmaker, nonetheless faces opposition from his own party over his statement about Israel. Hagel was also forced to issue an apology after his 1998 anti-gay statement resurfaced a few years later.

Obama has praised Hagel’s services but said that he is still to make the final decision regarding his pick for the Secretary of Defense position. “I haven't made a decision about who to nominate," Obama said in an NBC interview. "And my number one criteria will be who's going to do the best job in helping to secure America."

The president is also eying a replacement of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner who is not just the most important economic adviser in his team but also one of the longest serving members and a one-time lead negotiator for the administration over the fiscal cliff. So far it’s all but certain that chief of staff Jack Lew will be replacing Geithner, according to sources close to the discussions. Geithner has said that he will remain at his current position for no longer than the inauguration, which will be by the end of January.

Also in the mix will be a replacement for former CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus, who stepped down from his position after admitting his extramarital relationship with his biographer. Candidates presented to Obama for that job are John Brennan, an influential White House adviser on counterterrorism and acting CIA Director Michael Morrell.

There will also be some adjustments in lower-ranking positions with possible exits from the Energy and Commerce departments including the departure of Lisa Jackson, Environmental Protection Agency head.