The agenda: Great expectations

The Los Angeles Times tackles the issue of Obama managing the high expectations for him. "The high visibility of old hands and familiar faces underscores a tension that is already running through Team Obama: The president-elect has promised to overthrow Washington's habits of partisanship and cronyism. But it's tempting to turn to seasoned veterans to help him avoid the kinds of rookie mistakes that hobbled Clinton and President Carter. Both learned the hard way that a Congress controlled by the president's party does not guarantee smooth sailing." "President-elect Barack Obama will not meet any foreign leaders attending the global financial summit in Washington, but Obama aides would likely be tapped for meetings, a top Obama adviser said on Tuesday," Reuters reports. The New York Times : “Coming so soon after last week’s election, the summit meeting has proved an uncomfortable moment for the president-elect and an early test of his handling of international diplomacy. Even as aides are ... (link)