Word: pickings
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...comparison for Obama's circumstances would be Franklin Delano Roosevelt's ascent to power, as he faced similarly daunting financial challenges at the dawn of the Great Depression. Roosevelt, however, did not benefit from a protracted campaign in which to prepare himself. Instead, FDR found himself forced to pick staffers and cabinet members largely from his extensive network of former colleagues and associates, and did so somewhat haphazardly, under pressure from demanding tasks - such as rescuing the country from utter economic failure. Roosevelt's planning-on-the fly led to the creation of ad hoc "agencies outside the departmental framework...
...hyperactive attack dog - and his supporters argue that this steamrolling personality would make him an effective, formidable gatekeeper to the Oval Office. Emanuel's lengthy political background and knowledge of individual lawmakers - not to mention his fund-raising prowess - don't hurt either. (Read "Who Will Be Obama's Pick For Treasury Secretary...
Cabinet appointments and plum White House staff picks grab headlines during a transition. But the fate of the Obama presidency will be shaped just as much - if not more - by the messy behind-the-scenes process already under way in Washington: the reorganization of power on Capitol Hill. Three key elements to that process are still being sorted out: the final party-line composition of the Senate; the new GOP leadership in the House and how it reflects the new Republican mission and message; and the ability of House and Senate Democratic leaders to control crusading members who read Obama...
...determined. That could drag out. As of now, the Democrats have 56 seats. A 57th is possible if Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkeley's apparent slim victory of a few thousand votes holds up against any procedural challenge incumbent Gordon Smith throws against him. And the Democrats could conceivably pick up more. Republican Saxby Chambliss, though he won a plurality of votes on Tuesday, faces a runoff in Georgia on Dec. 2. In Minnesota, the recount of the nearly tied Senate race will go into December at least, to determine whether Al Franken unseats GOP incumbent Norm Coleman. And counting continues...
...filibuster or control independent-minded Democrats, Reid wants to pursue a "baby step" approach first. But one Reid aide says it's not yet clear whether Obama will want to go with a big-agenda item early. "There's two options: hit for the home run, or pick off low-hanging fruit...