President Barack Obama, second from left, flanked by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, and Middle East envoy George Mitchell, third from left, speaks to the media in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, in Washington. Seated across from Obama is Vice President Joe Biden., and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, respectively second and third from right. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)