Organization of the transition [ edit ]

[8] Podesta estimated that the transition would employ approximately 450 people and have a budget of about $12 million: $5.2 million would be paid by the [9] On November 5, the General Services Administration declared that Obama was the "apparent winner", making him eligible to receive transition funding and other government services, and granting him access to their 2008 Presidential Transition Headquarters in Washington, D.C.Podesta estimated that the transition would employ approximately 450 people and have a budget of about $12 million: $5.2 million would be paid by the federal government and the remaining $6.8 million would be funded by private sources, with each contribution limited to $5,000. The transition project would not accept money from political action committees or federal lobbyists.

Transition team [ edit ]

Banners celebrating Obama's ties to Chicago and his 2008 victory

[10] Members of the transition team's senior staff included:

Activities as the President-elect [ edit ]

Bush administration [ edit ]

[18] The Bush administration reportedly went out of its way to make the transition as seamless as possible for the incoming administration, earning accolades from Obama staff members and outside experts alike. According to nearly all accounts, the Bush administration streamlined the process for new officials to obtain security clearances and planned training exercises for the incoming national security team, to ensure that they would be ready to face a possible crisis on the first day in office. Part of this enhanced cooperation is required by laws passed at the behest of the 9/11 Commission , while part is attributed to the difficulty that the Bush administration had with its own transition, which lasted only five weeks and was felt to have had a deleterious effect on Bush's ability to govern. "I'm not sure I've ever seen an outgoing administration work as hard at saying the right thing", said Stephen Hess of the Brookings Institution . "This is really quite memorable."

Resignation from Senate offices [ edit ]

Obama Senate transition [ edit ]

[26] Had Blagojevich resigned or been removed from office before making the appointment, the duty would have fallen to Illinois Lt. Gov. [27] Speaking through a surrogate, Obama called for Blagojevich's resignation on December 10.Had Blagojevich resigned or been removed from office before making the appointment, the duty would have fallen to Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn , who would succeed Blagojevich as governor. However, Illinois Senate president Emil Jones said that he would call the Senate back into session to write a law that would result in Obama's replacement being determined in a special election.

[30] However, the Senate Democrats released a statement in which they reaffirmed that they would refuse to seat anyone appointed to the seat by Blagojevich, as that individual would be an ineffective representative of Illinois because of "questions of impropriety."

Burris v. White that the appointment only required the signature of the governor to be valid, and not that of the Illinois Secretary of State, and that the state of Illinois is not required to use the Senate's recommended certification form, as it is only "recommended" under the Standing Rules of the United States Senate.[35][36] The Court further remarked that "no explanation has been given as to how any rule of the Senate, whether it be formal or merely a matter of tradition, could supersede the authority to fill vacancies conferred on the states by the federal constitution".[37] Following the ruling, White provided Burris with a certified copy of the appointment's registration, and Burris delivered that copy, that bears the State Seal, to the [38] His credentials declared valid, Burris was finally sworn in on January 15, 2009, by outgoing President of the Senate [39][40][41] On January 9, 2009, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in the casethat the appointment only required the signature of the governor to be valid, and not that of the Illinois Secretary of State, and that the state of Illinois is not required to use the Senate's recommended certification form, as it is only "recommended" under the Standing Rules of the United States Senate.The Court further remarked that "no explanation has been given as to how any rule of the Senate, whether it be formal or merely a matter of tradition, could supersede the authority to fill vacancies conferred on the states by the federal constitution".Following the ruling, White provided Burris with a certified copy of the appointment's registration, and Burris delivered that copy, that bears the State Seal, to the Secretary of the Senate His credentials declared valid, Burris was finally sworn in on January 15, 2009, by outgoing President of the Senate Dick Cheney

Biden Senate transition [ edit ]

[42] Although he was sworn in for a seventh Senate term in early January 2009, he resigned from the seat on January 15, 2009, having served just over 36 years in the body.[43] Biden had indicated that he would remain in the Senate until he was sworn in as Vice President on January 20, 2009.Although he was sworn in for a seventh Senate term in early January 2009, he resigned from the seat on January 15, 2009, having served just over 36 years in the body.

[46] During his abbreviated final term in the Senate, Biden went on a diplomatic fact-finding trip to Iraq Afghanistan , and Pakistan, becoming the first Vice-President-elect to undertake such a mission before entering office.

Change.gov website [ edit ]

[47] On November 5, 2008, the transition team launched change.gov , the official website of the transition.

[48] It also had a section that allowed visitors to share stories or their visions for the country.[49] Visitors were able to comment on issues important to them using the [50] The website used a [51] The website included a blog and jobs page.It also had a section that allowed visitors to share stories or their visions for the country.Visitors were able to comment on issues important to them using the Citizen's Briefing Book . Individuals applying for work within the Obama administration via this site were required to go through intensive consumer and criminal background checks performed by the ChoicePoint Corporation The website used a Creative Commons license

[52] As part of their efforts towards transparency, on December 5 the transition team announced that "all policy documents from official meetings with outside organizations will be publicly available for review and discussion on Change.gov." After the inauguration, many of the functions of change.gov were transferred to a redesigned White House website.

Administration appointments [ edit ]

Announcements [ edit ]

[54] He introduced the nominees and occasionally took questions from the press regarding issues such as economic difficulties and the War in Afghanistan.[55] Obama held near-daily press conferences as President-elect to announce his administration nominees to the public.He introduced the nominees and occasionally took questions from the press regarding issues such as economic difficulties and the War in Afghanistan.

[61][62][63][64] Termed his "first gaffe,"[65] Obama called Mrs. Reagan later that evening to apologize for what his spokesperson said was a "careless and off-handed remark."[66] During his first press conference as President-elect, on November 7, Obama remarked about former first lady Nancy Reagan holding seances in the White House, which gained widespread attention.Termed his "first gaffe,"Obama called Mrs. Reagan later that evening to apologize for what his spokesperson said was a "careless and off-handed remark."

Cabinet and top advisors [ edit ]

Domestic [ edit ]

Economic [ edit ]

Environment and Energy [ edit ]

Foreign Affairs and National Security [ edit ]

Table [ edit ]

Emerging agenda [ edit ]

[110] According to Podesta, the transition team planned to conduct an exhaustive review of Bush's executive orders in an effort to find quick changes that could be implemented on the first day in office. Podesta also says that there is a great deal that can be accomplished without waiting for Congress to act and that Obama wanted to move quickly once in office to restore "a sense that the country is working on behalf of the common good."

Economic agenda [ edit ]

[111] In a nationally televised interview on December 7, he acknowledged that his agenda has changed over the past month, and that a short-term stimulus package had again become his first priority. He wanted to emphasize "[112] Barack Obama said he hoped to sign the stimulus package into law soon after taking office on January 20. The economic agenda under development initially focused on short-term measures intended to hold off widespread economic losses so that a longer-term economic agenda could then be formulated. That approach subsequently shifted to a longer-term stimulus plan, with a goal of creating 2.5 million jobs over a two-year period. With a cost of $700 to $800 billion, the stimulus plan would cost more than a quarter million dollars per job created (divide 750 billion by 2,500,000 yielding $300,000).In a nationally televised interview on December 7, he acknowledged that his agenda has changed over the past month, and that a short-term stimulus package had again become his first priority. He wanted to emphasize " shovel ready " infrastructure projects to create new jobs quickly.Barack Obama said he hoped to sign the stimulus package into law soon after taking office on January 20.

[113] Obama promised to promote a stimulus bill early in his presidency if one was not passed before his inauguration on January 20, 2009.[113] In addition, Obama considered the request of the U.S. automotive industry for a cash infusion of $50 billion in addition to the $25 billion that had already been approved, but emphasizing that his support is "conditioned on them making significant adjustments."[112] Additional funding for Medicaid was also being considered. A similar stimulus bill was passed by the House of Representatives on September 26, 2008, but never approved by the Senate Obama promised to promote a stimulus bill early in his presidency if one was not passed before his inauguration on January 20, 2009.In addition, Obama considered the request of the U.S. automotive industry for a cash infusion of $50 billion in addition to the $25 billion that had already been approved, but emphasizing that his support is "conditioned on them making significant adjustments."

Agenda on healthcare [ edit ]

On December 5, Tom Daschle, who was designated to lead Obama's efforts for health care reform , announced a month-long campaign to solicit public input on the shape of that reform. People were encouraged to hold community meetings to discuss the issue, and to post their thoughts on www.change.gov, where over 10,000 comments had already been posted. Although Democratic leaders had met in private for several months to prepare a legislative package for unveiling in January, Daschle was anxious to avoid the appearance that the transition was working behind closed doors to create a sweeping agenda for change.

[118] This technique, developed by grass roots organizations like MoveOn.org , was designed to reinforce the notion that Obama intended to aggressively pursue his health care reform agenda despite the worsening economy. "President-elect Obama has made health reform one of his top priorities, and I'm here to tell you that his commitment to changing the healthcare system remains strong and focused", said Daschle.

Foreign policy agenda [ edit ]

The Annapolis Conference gathers in November 2007.

[120] Obama had not specified what his approach would be, although it was considered likely that he would appoint a high-level Middle East envoy, in part to free his Secretary of State so that other matters can also be addressed.[120] Hamas expressed a willingness to talk to Obama, who has said that he will reciprocate only if it renounces [121] The Hamas leader in [122] In the Middle East, Bush began a new approach to the peace process, the so-called Annapolis process , which attempts to encourage Israeli and Palestinian leaders to agree on the outlines of a peace accord. Although both sides cite some success in these discussions, critics believe the talks have unduly ignored Hamas , which has been labeled as a terrorist organization, despite the fact that it holds an enormous amount of political power in the region.Obama had not specified what his approach would be, although it was considered likely that he would appoint a high-level Middle East envoy, in part to free his Secretary of State so that other matters can also be addressed.Hamas expressed a willingness to talk to Obama, who has said that he will reciprocate only if it renounces terrorism , recognizes Israel's right to exist, and agrees to abide by past agreements.The Hamas leader in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh , has said the Hamas government would accept a Palestinian state that followed the Green Line and would offer Israel a long-term truce if Israel recognises the Palestinians' national rights.

[120] Obama has criticized Bush for taking so long to engage with North Korea, and has indicated that he would be eager to engage in a more proactive diplomatic effort to reach an agreement. A senior North Korean official recently[ when? ] told reporters that "we are ready to deal" with the incoming Obama administration.[120] During his second term, Bush pursued an agreement with North Korea to end its nuclear weapons programs. To prevent a collapse in the process, Bush agreed to remove North Korea from the State Department's list of State Sponsors of Terrorism , which Obama supported.Obama has criticized Bush for taking so long to engage with North Korea, and has indicated that he would be eager to engage in a more proactive diplomatic effort to reach an agreement. A senior North Korean official recentlytold reporters that "we are ready to deal" with the incoming Obama administration.

[120] While the group won approval from the [120] Obama also deliberated on how to deal with Iran. Outgoing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had assembled a coalition of six states—the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China, and the United States—to confront Iran.While the group won approval from the United Nations , Iran largely ignored its demands. While Obama had previously advocated carefully planned direct talks with Iran, he was now being seen as likely to build on the current coalition to broker an agreement with Iran.

[123] In addition, Obama formulated a policy to deal with the U.S. missile defense shield that was under construction in Poland. He discussed the matter with both Polish President Lech Kaczyński and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev . While his advisors were working on a missile shield policy, his position at that time was simply that one might be deployed if and when it has been "proved to be workable".

[108] Obama also planned to revoke a series of executive orders enacted by Bush that would have the effect of overturning a practice that many critics have labeled as torture against "detainees."

[124] A November 20, 2008, Los Angeles Times article stated, "Antiwar groups and other liberal activists are increasingly concerned at signs that Barack Obama's national security team will be dominated by appointees who favored the Iraq invasion... 'It's astonishing that not one of the 23 senators or 133 House members who voted against the war is in the mix,' said Sam Husseini of the liberal group Institute for Public Accuracy ."

National defense [ edit ]

[125] Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who was retained in the Obama Administration, outlined an agenda for reform of the Department of Defense . His ideas centered on a perceived need to shift purchasing priorities away from costly high tech weapons, and toward lower cost alternatives that are more appropriate for the wars the U.S. was currently fighting, as well as those he believed might lie in the immediate future. He noted that there are limits to U.S. military power, and believed that the emphasis should be shifted away from fighting, and toward training, advising and equipping allied forces to fight.

Specific areas Gates and Obama agreed on were said to include:

Energy policy [ edit ]

[127] Towards his energy goals of Obama made energy policy one of his topmost priorities in his 2008 campaign.Towards his energy goals of United States energy independence through investment in alternative energy production he has set the following objectives:

Within ten years save more oil than current imports from the Middle East and Venezuela combined.

By 2015 put one million plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road.

By 2012, 10 % of U.S. electricity shall come from renewable sources and 25 % by 2025.

By 2050, 80 % of currently emitted greenhouse gases shall be eliminated.

[128] To achieve these objectives, Obama proposed the following measures

[130] Appointees recruited by Obama with experience on energy policy included Peter Orszag, an expert on cap and trade programs, who was named as director of the Office of Management and Budget. John Podesta, transition chief, was an early advocate of Detroit's refocus on using lower carbon alternatives to gasoline.

Secret Service preparations [ edit ]

[133] On November 13, 2008, the Secret Service announced that Obama's codename would be "Renegade". In addition, his wife's is "Renaissance" and his daughters' are "Rosebud" and "Radiance".

Residential transition [ edit ]

[144] The outgoing Bush family did not take much with them as they left the White House. Among the items they left behind was their official state china service , a Lenox gilt-edged style with a green basket weave border, estimated to be worth $492,798. However, what they did not take with them can be included in the collection of the Presidential Library.

[145] Vice President Dick Cheney was injured moving out of his residence just before the inauguration and used a wheelchair during the ceremony.

See also [ edit ]

Notes [ edit ]

Additional reading [ edit ]

External links [ edit ]