Obama hopes Senate will accelerate confirmations

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama wants the U.S. Senate to accelerate the confirmation of his top appointees to help Obama get started early in tackling major problems, a top Obama adviser said on Tuesday.

John Podesta, co-chairman of the White House transition team, told reporters that Obama's appointees need to get in their offices quickly to work on the U.S. financial crisis, the staggering economy and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We've got to move with all due speed and we hope the Senate will as well," Podesta said. He said it was hoped that the Senate would act quicker than it has during previous transitions.

(Reporting by Steve Holland)