Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano will use her experience as a border-governor as the new secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, according to anonymous "Democratic officials" (Politico).
On that note, John Podesta warns his transition staffers that leaking information is grounds for automatic firing (Chicago Tribune).
The Clinton Drama
Deal-making with Bill Clinton continues, but the former president assured everyone at a public appearance on Wednesday that he'll do "whatever they want" to ensure his fund-raising and globe-trotting don't prevent his wife from becoming secretary of State (New York Times).
The anti-war crowd that helped send President-elect Barack Obama to power are "increasingly concerned" about appointments of hawks such as Hillary Rodham Clinton (Los Angeles Times).
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., won't be overseeing the State Department, but he will oversee its budget as the new head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Boston Globe).
Reaction To Obama's Picks
A 2002 investigation of Eric Holder's role in the pardon of Marc Rich is rehashed, concluding that Holder ensured officials "did not have the opportunity to express an opinion on the Rich pardon before it was granted" (Washington Times).
The selection of former Sen. Tom Daschle as HHS secretary comes "even though he works for a Washington lobbying firm that represents health care interests" (USA Today).
Even without lobbying aspersions over Daschle himself, his selection "might be complicated" by his wife, who is a lobbyist (Washington Post).
Nonetheless, the prospect of passing health reform this time around comes with a "clear advantage over previous attempts." Apparently, everyone wants it to succeed (Wall Street Journal).
The man who coworkers call "Axe" is described as Obama's "longtime friend, strategist and political poet" in this profile of the new Karl Rove -- David Axelrod (Chicago Tribune).
The Decider
Obama will have to decide whether it makes sense to keep buying the U.S. Air Force's expensive F-22 Raptor despite the focus on ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (Wall Street Journal).
A federal employees union wants Obama to "end the Transportation Security Administration's pay-for-performance system, eliminate the Internal Revenue Service private debt collection program, and reduce contracting by federal agencies" (Federal Times).
Agency leaders have already sent Obama a "hot list" of what they consider urgent issues. One group sent 44 items (Government Executive).
Transition Fodder
Happy birthday, Joe Biden! Many news outlets report on the 12 cupcakes that Obama gave the Vice President-elect for his birthday, which is actually today (AP).
The inside guide to landing a job with the Obama administration. Steps 1 through 100: Suck up to Jim Messina, director of personnel for the transition team (Politico).
The "Handshake Man," known as a "hero to wedding crashers and gate jumpers everywhere," said he will not be able to attend the inauguration. Then again, it's not like him to RSVP. (Washington Post).
What will be Obama's first act as president? Guantanamo? A stimulus package? Nope. D.C. voting rights advocates "are confident" that Obama will return the "Taxation Without Representation" license plates to the first family's limo (The Hill).
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