Some of the bites from Politico's playbook:
Yesterday, he talked to Pope Benedict. From the transition last night: 'Throughout the day today, President-elect Obama returned phone calls to world leaders and expressed his appreciation for their congratulations on his election. Today, President-elect Obama spoke with the following leaders: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil; His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI; Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India; His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan; President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya.
Obama wants an auto czar:
Politico's Carrie Budoff: 'President-elect Barack Obama wants a high-profile point person to oversee reforms in the ailing auto industry, according to members of Obama's transition team. ... The person would assist in efforts to create an 'economically viable auto industry,' a transition aide said – a move that could alleviate concerns about protecting taxpayer interests if more money is directed to assist automakers.'Obama hires Sam Nunn for transition help:
The transition issues an unusual formal statement rebutting this AP story: 'President-elect Obama has hired former Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Sam Nunn to help shepherd his Pentagon transition, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. ... Similarly, a senior administration official said former Secretary of State Warren Christopher would advise Obama on his State Department transition.' Originally, the story had said the two would 'head his transition teams at the Pentagon and State Department.'
The statement from Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Spokesperson Stephanie Cutter: 'Senator Sam Nunn will play an informal senior advisor role throughout the defense transition process. His expertise and the respect he has earned will be invaluable to ensure a smooth transition. Secretary Christopher is deeply respected in the United States and throughout the international community. However, he is not playing a role in the transition process. There's a lot of disinformation out there. We're working hard to put the agency review teams together and expect they'll be announced this week and inside the agencies by the end of the week.'
In case you care, secret service names, which aren't very secret but are fun:
President-elect Obama: RenegadeMalia and Sasha on Hannah Montana? The Obama team says it hasn't received an invitation.
Michelle Obama: Renaissance
Malia Obama: Radiance
Sasha Obama: Rosebud
Vice President-elect Joe Biden: Celtic
Jill Biden: Capri
N.Y. Daily News cover – 'HANNAH OBAMA! Miley Cyrus wants First Kids on show': 'President-elect Barack Obama's girls have been invited to appear on the Disney Channel's mega-hit 'Hannah Montana' ...'We're pleased that Malia and Sasha are fans and, as long as their parents say it's okay, they are invited to the set of 'Hannah Montana,' and all Disney Channel shows, for a guest role or a visit, anytime,' the cable network said in a statement. The president-elect's staffers told the Daily News no decisions have been made.'
