CQ Politics' Web Picks

Slate: Emanuel Is Ruthless - and Just What Obama Needs

In interviews and debates and even in his books, Obama comes off as the Vishnu of decision-making--on the one hand, on the other hand, on the other hand, etc. Emanuel is unlikely to take "maybe" for an answer.

Washington Post: Rahm Emanuel Is The Hot to His New Boss's Cool

Emanuel's flair for the well-timed verbal hand grenade -- or epithet or insult or, in one case, an actual dead fish -- has grown legendary during his 16-year career in politics. His explosive style, and midnight work habits, have fueled a noisy migration up Pennsylvania Avenue, from White House fixer under Bill Clinton to a House leadership position on Capitol Hill.

Nation: Obama's Disappointing First Choice

Republican insiders are griping about President-elect Barack Obama's selection of Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel to serve as White House chief of staff. Emanuel, they complain, is too partisan. If only that were the case. Partisan true believers stand strong for the ideals and principles of a party. That's not a description of Rahm Emanuel.

New York Times: Obama, Assembling Team, Turns to the Economy

With the global economy on a knife's edge, and labor figures on Friday very likely to show mounting American job losses, the financial markets, foreign leaders and even the Bush administration are looking to Mr. Obama for signs of how he will manage the crisis.

Boston Globe: In Search for Expertise, Harvard Looms Large

Now, as President-elect Obama begins putting together his administration, his Harvard brain trust is hoping to fill prominent positions in Washington - as top White House advisers, senior political appointees, Cabinet chiefs, or judicial nominees.

NPR: Obama Transition Team Limits Lobbyists' Roles

The campaign barred registered lobbyists from making contributions, and now the transition team is limiting how deeply lobbyists may be involved in laying the groundwork for the new administration and serving in it afterward.

Wall Street Journal: Does Green Energy Add 5 Million Jobs?

President-elect Barack Obama and his energy advisers have been making the case that a multibillion-dollar government investment in everything from wind turbines to a "smart" electrical grid is just what's needed to help revive the economy. The lure is millions of government-subsidized "green jobs." Potent Pitch, but Numbers Are Squishy.

Los Angeles Times: Obama Faces Difficult Choice for Treasury Secretary

As President-elect Obama considers his choice for Treasury secretary, Lawrence Summers' name is again front and center. But this time, the decision is not so clear. Obama faces conflicting advice from his close advisors, from Capitol Hill and from important Democratic constituencies.

Salon: Obama and the Dawn of the Fourth Republic

To date there have been three American republics, each lasting 72 years (give or take a few years). The First Republic assembled following the American Revolution, lasted from 1788 to 1860. The Second Republic, assembled following the Civil War and Reconstruction lasted from 1860 to 1932. And the Third American Republic, assembled during the New Deal and the civil rights eras (the Third American Revolution), lasted from 1932 until 2004. Historians are likely to identify the first president of the Fourth Republic of the United States as Barack Obama

Right Wing News: The Top 7 Reasons Why The GOP Can't Build A Political Party Around Moderates

This time around, even rightward leaning moderates like Colin Powell, Christopher Buckley, & Ann Althouse defected over to the Obama campaign rather than vote for the most moderate GOP candidate since Richard Nixon. That's why trying to build a coalition around moderates is like trying to build a castle on sand.

Daily Beast: Obama's Hidden Talent: He's a Top-Notch Poker Player

Throughout the campaign, Obama's media minders have been far from keen for you to know this. Asked early on by the Press Association to name a "hidden talent," Obama rashly revealed that he considers himself "a pretty good poker-player." Not since Richard Nixon has the United States had a dedicated player of its historic national game in the Oval Office.