Political all-star lineup to chair Obama’s inauguration

President-elect Obama’s inauguration team has tapped a who’s who of political personalities as co-chairmen and -women of what promises to be a star-studded inauguration.

Former Presidents Clinton, Carter and George H.W. Bush top the list of honorary co-chairmen announced by the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) on Monday.

{mosads}“In keeping with the president-elect’s commitment to an inclusive and bipartisan inauguration, the list of honorary co-chairs includes members of the president-elect and vice president-elect’s immediate families as well as prominent Americans from both sides of the aisle who have dedicated their lives to selfless service to their fellow citizens,” the PIC said in a release.

Others invited to serve as co-chairs include Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), and Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Artur Davis (D-Ala.), Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) and Ray LaHood (R-Ill.), who Obama nominated as transportation secretary.

Another Republican, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell, who toward the end of the campaign endorsed Obama over fellow veteran Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), also will be a co-chairman.

“Vice President-elect Biden and I are grateful to these distinguished men and women for agreeing to serve as honorary co-chairs for the inauguration,” Obama said in a statement. “From family members to former presidents, each of these leaders has an unwavering commitment to bipartisan cooperation and a proud record of service to their community and our country. They exemplify the spirit of unity and shared purpose this inauguration will reflect.”

Family members who will serve as co-chairs include Obama’s sister, Maya Soetoro, and his brother-in-law, Oregon State University basketball coach Craig Robinson.

Biden’s son, Hunter, and Hunter’s wife Kathleen, also will serve as co-chairs.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty rounds out the list.