I would expect John McCain has someone doing some of the same planning for a Presidential transition and a new administration, but it wouldn't shock me if Obama is doing more of that.
"This is really the first time in as long as we can remember that we are having a transition in a time of war," says political analyst Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute.
"There's a lot of danger out there. Danger in the world and danger in the financial realm," Ornstein added.
Ornstein has made it a cause to press both parties to work together more on a transition, so there is no repeat of the infamous "W" practical joke played by the Clinton White House on the incoming Bush Administration, when the "W" keys were removed on some computers.
"There really is a strong committment on the part of President Bush and the Bush Administration to make this the best transition ever," said Ornstein.
President Bush recently signed an executive order to smooth the transition, by establishing a transition coordination council. President Clinton did that about three weeks after Al Gore lost to George W. Bush.
All of that makes sense, but having news get out just a few days before the elections that you are already making plans for the transition was fodder for the GOP.
"Rep. Rahm Emanuel is working with Barack Obama to create the most unbalanced and partisan government in a generation," huffed RNC Spokesman Alex Conant.
"Reports that Obama wants him to be White House chief of staff undercut any claims to unity and bipartisanship," said Conant.
I'm sure if the roles were switched around, the Democrats would be complaining and the GOP would be planning.
About the Author