EARLYBIRD

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 8:30 AM

Top Transition News - 12/2

President-elect Barack Obama's promises to protect workers and companies in the crumbling economy could make Democrats the party of Big Business, a shift that would have been unthinkable for the last 75 years (Boston Globe).

Governors will make their pitch for federal aid when they meet with Obama today at the National Governors Association conference in Philadelphia (Politico).

Obama has raised $1.2 million for his transition expenses in a drive that, while respectable, bears little relation to the fundraising machine that shattered campaign finance records (NationalJournal.com).

Even though Obama said Monday during his national security presser that he doesn't go "around checking people's political registration" before offering jobs, his Web site suggests otherwise (Politico).

Unions are expecting more clout under an Obama administration (Federal Times).

He speaks! Vice President-elect Joe Biden spoke publicly on Monday for the first time since Election Day (Politico).

The National Security Landscape

Obama's wants his new national security team to use nonmilitary strategies and the "power of our moral example" abroad (Wall Street Journal).

Obama contends that more troops are needed in Afghanistan, and military experts agree, but they also warn that an influx of forces won't produce the same rapid turnaround that the surge in Iraq did (New York Times).

While Defense Secretary Robert Gates will offer a measure of continuity, many of his top deputies -- hired under Donald Rumsfeld -- are expected to leave the Pentagon (Washington Post).

Dissecting The Picks

Some renewable and alternative energy advocates applauded Obama for selecting as his national security adviser Gen. James Jones, who led the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's energy efforts (Washington Times). Other environmentalists are less enthused (Los Angeles Times).

Jones comes to the job with "an unusual combination of military and diplomatic skills," including decorated combat service in Vietnam and fluency in French (USA Today).

As Obama's choice for secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano will spearhead a controversial ID program that she vigorously opposed as Arizona governor (New York Times).

Susan Rice, Obama's choice for United Nations ambassador, will be charged with mending fences at the international body (USA Today).

Eric Holder's prominent role in the Marc Rich pardon debacle continues to blemish the otherwise much praised career of the man Obama has chosen for attorney general (New York Times).

Obama's national security team is being praised by key Senate chairmen, including the embattled Sen. Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn, who said "the president-elect has begun to build an administration that can lead America forward" (CongressDaily).

Hillary Watch

Former President Bill Clinton praised Obama's selection of his wife for secretary of State, arguing that she is "the right person for the job" (AP), while a new poll shows that most women prefer competence over gender equity in Obama's Cabinet picks (Politico).

Hillary Clinton forged strong ties with India during her time as senator and presidential candidate, which could complicate her role as a peace broker between India and Pakistan (AP).

Obama and Clinton are still developing the personal rapport that is critical to the relationship between president and secretary of State, according to former senior foreign policy officials (Washington Post).

Clinton has a long to-do list between now and her first day as secretary of State (Time).