Already a winner on the business front for his support and guidance to President Obama and his reelection campaign, there is growing speculation that Google Chairman Eric Schmidt is in line for an even bigger payoff: secretary of either Treasury or Commerce or a new "secretary of business" slot.

Cabinet shakeup watchers have focused on Schmidt and his Yoda status in the Obama reelection campaign, Google's massive $1.9 million to Democrats in the election, and the administration's efforts to quiet a potential Federal Trade Commission investigation of Google as key signs that the president wants Schmidt in the cabinet.

"Nobody's better positioned for a Cabinet job, if he wants one," said a Democratic strategist.