First of all, contrary to what the chattering classes and the guy who makes Obama's fancy podia with his faux POTUS crests, Barrack Obama is not yet "president-elect" nor will he be until the meeting and vote of the Electoral Collerge in December. Technicality, but nonetheless, a fact.

Now, regarding State, this department can be a bugaboo regardless of the Secretary. However, if the designee is an individual with his/her own agenda, it can be absolute hell. The job of all Executive departments is to carry out the agenda of the President. If they do not agree wiith that agenda and have expressed their views unsuccessfully through channels, they have two choices --- shut up and do the job or resign. Unfortunately as Bush discovered all too frequently, many agencies especially State and the CIA, are filled with quasi-career people who follow their own agenda. These people often have their own press outlets and can severely harm an Administration programs. I think Obama must condsider this in his dealings with the Clintonistas.

Re the other potential appointments, I first of all salute Obama and his handlers for having them arranged so quickly. Looks great, and can only help them get off the ground well. Of those designees, I really have opinion on only two, Holder and Emanuel. Neither objection is ooverly substantive. I just did not care for Holder as US attorney for DC or as Dept AG. My feelngs about Rahm Emmanuel are even more visceral. Whenever I see hium, I think of his many appearances with the talking heads defending Clinton while he was denying the Lowenski affair. Emmanuel just came across to me as swarmy. I felt I needed to shower after I watched him on Meet The Press. Now I admit he did a great job in the House running Democrat Congressional Campaign thing, but he scares me in such an important position. And how did he get to be the 4th ranking Dem in the House in only 3 terms?