FACTBOX: Obama's cabinet begins to take shape

(Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet is beginning to take shape.

While certain key positions -- notably Treasury secretary -- remain open races, names have emerged for a number of important jobs.

Here are people Obama has reportedly chosen or is considering for Cabinet posts. Most remain subject to vetting and all must be confirmed by the Senate before taking office.

CONFIRMED APPOINTMENTS

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

* Tom Daschle, a key early supporter and savvy former U.S. Senate leader, was selected by Obama as secretary of health and human services, according to Democratic sources. In that role, he will be the top official spearheading Obama's effort to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system. The high-profile pick signals that the push to extend health coverage to the 46 million uninsured Americans be a high priority for Obama.

LEADING CANDIDATES

SECRETARY OF STATE

* Hillary Clinton, the New York senator and Obama's former rival for the White House, is the top contender for secretary of state. Obama is said to be intrigued by the idea of creating a "team of rivals" in his government that would be modeled after that former President Abraham Lincoln.

One possible obstacle is the post-White House work of Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton. He is said to be trying to address questions about whether his global philanthropic and business activities would create conflicts of interest if his wife got the job.

* If no deal is reached, other possible candidates are believed to include New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

* Eric Holder, a former Justice Department official under the Clinton Administration, has accepted a conditional offer to become head of the Justice Department, Democratic officials said.

Holder, who served as deputy attorney general under Clinton, has been a senior legal advisor to Obama's campaign and helped vet Obama's vice presidential candidates. Before the offer becomes official, Obama's team is seeking to determine if Holder can win Senate confirmation with broad bipartisan support.

HOMELAND SECURITY

* Janet Napolitano, the Democratic governor of Arizona, is under consideration to head the U.S. Homeland Security Department, a sprawling agency formed to bolster civil defense following the September 11 attacks.