Obama’s White House Hires Reflect Respect for Hill

[babylonsister]

Obama’s White House Hires Reflect Respect for Hill
By Jonathan Allen, CQ Staff

snip//

While Capitol Hill experience is not the primary reason for the appointments, the hires reflect Obama’s sensitivity to the importance of Congress in governance, according to a senior transition official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

He is intent on enacting an agenda by finding common ground with Democrats and Republicans, according to the official.

Turning to Capitol Hill for talent is a “very smart move that will only enhance prospects for significant legislative victories,” said Jim Manley, a senior aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev.

There may be other reasons for Obama’s propensity to hire from the Hill: His network in Washington was built in the Senate and he has portrayed Washington’s influence industry as having a corrupting influence on government.

That hasn’t stopped Obama from hiring people with lobbying backgrounds to fill the ranks of a transition team charged with shaping the incoming administration, but it may limit their chances to land plum White House posts come January.

“Unless the President-elect sees a void to be filled by someone on K Street who he knows personally, there probably won’t be anyone currently downtown in his White House,” said one former congressional aide who now works for a lobbying firm.

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http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002986799

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. It will be a nice change

to have a Democratic congress working with a Democratic president instead of butting heads.

[TexasObserver]

2. Obama's early moves signal he's building key links to interests he needs.

His VP, Joe Biden, will be his Senate liaison, the guy who makes sure Obama's interests in the senate are being covered.

His Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, will be his House liaison, the person who makes sure Obama's interests in the House are being covered. Emanuel also serves as liaison to the AIPAC and associated interests.

New Staff hire Mike Lux is a direct link to People for the American Way and a myriad of substantial progressive interests.

Valerie Jarrett will advise Obama, and not likely liaise with anyone.

Susan Rice will likely be named his National Security Adviser.

His Sec of State will likely be Clinton, but it could be Richardson, or Kerry, or others. It will be a person of stature.

I am very impressed with just about everything Obama does. He's methodical, and he has a wide ranging, well thought out plan he's enacting. I'm enjoying the hell out of it.