Democratic National Committee

Obama has signaled that he will make no Cabinet-level appointments immediately, and his deliberations are tightly held by his closest aides. But that hasn't stopped Democrats and interest groups from circulating lists and offering recommendations to the Obama transition team.

Some are surprising, such as former Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell as possible education secretary. Others are high-profile governors or members of Congress. Yet many are also little known to the general public—and may remain so.

Obama has less than 11 weeks to staff his new administration. Some names often mentioned as possible appointees to top posts:

DEFENSE SECRETARY

Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

WASHINGTON — A Democratic wave on Tuesday surged across much of the nation and upended Colorado politics.

Democrats next year will occupy seven of the state's nine U.S. Congress seats, on top of already controlling the governor's office and the General Assembly.

Just five years ago, Republicans had power over both of those and held seven of the nine U.S. Congress seats.

"It's a stunning turnaround," said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Dem ocrat re-elected to her seventh term.

Democratic victories in both Colorado and the nation came amid a faltering U.S. economy, the lingering Iraq war and record disapproval ratings for President Bush.

Obama has signaled that he will make no Cabinet-level appointments immediately, and his deliberations are tightly held by his closest aides. But that hasn't stopped Democrats and interest groups from circulating lists and offering recommendations to the Obama transition team.

Some are surprising, such as former Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell as possible education secretary. Others are high-profile governors or members of Congress. Yet many are also little known to the general public—and may remain so.

Obama has less than 11 weeks to staff his new administration. Some names often mentioned as possible appointees to top posts:

DEFENSE SECRETARY

Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

WASHINGTON — A Democratic wave on Tuesday surged across much of the nation and upended Colorado politics.

Democrats next year will occupy seven of the state's nine U.S. Congress seats, on top of already controlling the governor's office and the General Assembly.

Just five years ago, Republicans had power over both of those and held seven of the nine U.S. Congress seats.

"It's a stunning turnaround," said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Dem ocrat re-elected to her seventh term.

Democratic victories in both Colorado and the nation came amid a faltering U.S. economy, the lingering Iraq war and record disapproval ratings for President Bush.

Obama has signaled that he will make no Cabinet-level appointments immediately, and his deliberations are tightly held by his closest aides. But that hasn't stopped Democrats and interest groups from circulating lists and offering recommendations to the Obama transition team.

Some are surprising, such as former Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell as possible education secretary. Others are high-profile governors or members of Congress. Yet many are also little known to the general public—and may remain so.

Obama has less than 11 weeks to staff his new administration. Some names often mentioned as possible appointees to top posts:

DEFENSE SECRETARY

Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

WASHINGTON — A Democratic wave on Tuesday surged across much of the nation and upended Colorado politics.

Democrats next year will occupy seven of the state's nine U.S. Congress seats, on top of already controlling the governor's office and the General Assembly.

Just five years ago, Republicans had power over both of those and held seven of the nine U.S. Congress seats.

"It's a stunning turnaround," said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Dem ocrat re-elected to her seventh term.

Democratic victories in both Colorado and the nation came amid a faltering U.S. economy, the lingering Iraq war and record disapproval ratings for President Bush.

DENVER – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) singled out Betsy Markey as a strong Democratic challenger in a short interview with PolitickerCO.com today.

“In this state we believe we have an excellent opportunity. Betsy Markey is a wonderful candidate,” said Hoyer, who is here this week to attend the Democratic National Convention.

Markey, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Denver) is challenging three-term U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Fort Collins) in what is widely seen as a hotly contested race. Politicker.com’s Pindell Report currently ranks the race as the 14th most competitive in the nation.

When it comes to the outlook for his party in House races this fall, meanwhile, Hoyer is betting outright that Democrats expand their majority big time.

“…I think we are going to pick up a substantial number of seats,” he said.

Denver Mayor John HickenlooperDENVER - Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper addresses the crowd during day one of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The DNC, where U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will be officially nominated as the Democratic candidate for U.S. president, starts today and finishes August 28th. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Hickenlooper's remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.