By ALEXIS SIMENDINGER
National Journal has obtained documents sent by White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten to the heads of departments and agencies outlining the transition arrangements worked out between the current and incoming administrations.
The memos are historical documents that represent the agreements between the two sides, spelling out in detail what the Bush administration will do for the incoming Obama team. The two main documents, a policy statement for department heads and a memorandum of understanding signed last Saturday by Bolten and John Podesta, co-chair of the president-elect's transition team, include a comprehensive discussion about high-level contacts and a clear dispute-resolution mechanism -- an important addition.
One thing the papers don't spell out is whether Bolten will later ask Bush's political appointees to submit their resignations effective Jan. 20, so Obama can install his own team without a lot of stress (a common practice). Podesta, who was President Clinton's White House chief of staff during the 2000-2001 transition, sent out his memo Nov. 29, 2000, asking for the resignations of Clinton's political appointees, in preparation for the incoming Bush people. It's possible that Podesta and Bolten chatted about this Monday when they met at the White House.
All documents are PDFs.
• Cover Letter
• Memorandum of Understanding
• Policy Statement
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