Obama & Co. has assembled a White House transition team. According to Marc Ambinder's piece today, John Podesta was contacted regarding the transition last month (that would be June, folks) and will probably head Obama's transition team.
Brain Rogers, a McCain campaign spokesperson, fired this statement off this afternoon:
Before they've even crossed the 50-yard line the Obama campaign is already dancing in the end zone with a new White House transition team. The American people are more concerned with Barack Obama's poor judgment and readiness to lead than his inaugural ball.
Hmmmm, yeah, I say that's about right. Well, Media Matters already has their panties in a wad over how this statement was reported on MSNBC. Their answer -- well Bush did it too. (How rich is that!)
The CW is that this is a bit early for a presumptive party nominee to put together a White House transition team. In Obama's case, it feeds the "arrogance" narrative, especially in light of the faux presidential seal and most recently this week his overseas trip, Germany speech, and his advisors referring to him as the president and already in the White House.
"[Berlin] is not going to be a political speech," said a senior foreign policy adviser, who spoke to reporters on background. "When the president of the United States goes and gives a speech, it is not a political speech or a political rally."
"But he is not president of the United States," a reporter reminded the adviser.
[snip]
Obama aides were reminded by reporters--for the second time today--that he isn't in the White House yet, and therefore they can't invoke White House rules and traditions.
An unpaid foreign policy adviser (who worked for Clinton) told reporters that he never in his four years in the White House had go on the record for a briefing. Several reporters retorted that they weren't in the White House.
Fade out, Berlin. Beautiful stage craft and poised candidate travel to Paris, then London with the press in tow. Is this enough to make him our leading man? So far the polls and PUMAs say No Deal!
"Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you?re knocked down, get right back up. And NEVER listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on."
Hillary Clinton - June 7, 2008
"[Berlin] is not going to be a political speech," said a senior foreign policy adviser, who spoke to reporters on background. "When the president of the United States goes and gives a speech, it is not a political speech or a political rally."
