On the High Stakes Playground – Obama picks his team.

President-Elect Barack Obama has wasted (little to) no time in getting to work. He has been meeting with his advisors and “transition” people to flesh out the contenders for his cabinet and other top executive branch positions.

Many “big” and interesting names have been in the media for the “top” offices. But, of course, nothing will be official or final until Barack Obama is sworn in as President in January and his nominations are sent to the US Senate for “advice and consent.” Over the years this process has proven tricky for many new Presidents – but it appears that the Obama team is taking special care in their selection process and with a pronounced Democratic advantage in the new Senate, Obama should not have much trouble, barring any unforeseen events, getting approval for his nominations.

The President-Elect started off his new “team” by naming Illinois Congressman, Rahm Emanuel, as his White House Chief of Staff. Emanuel is a politics “lifer” having worked on campaigns and in the Democratic Party since the early 1980s. He was a key strategist in the (Bill) Clinton Presidential campaign and he served as a senior advisor in the Clinton White House. In 2002 (after a brief stint in the banking industry), Emanuel ran for and won the House seat for Illinois’ 5th district. He has since been a powerful member of Congress and has served as the Democratic Caucus Chairman since 2006.