THE BAMWATCH

Posted at 6:45 a.m. ET

A few words about personnel in a new administration.

The consensus in our precincts is that Mr. Obama has made some good choices thus far to fill the positions in his administration.  No, he hasn't resurrected Milton Friedman, and we can't expect him to try.  But, so far, for a center-left administration, not bad, not bad at all.  If Obama can put up with Hillary's antics and chronic dishonesty, we probably can as well.

But please remember two things:  First, people aren't policies.  We like to think they are, and we satisfy ourselves by saying that "sound" people will make good policy choices.  But history cautions us.  "Sound" people get used to the trappings of office and the great parties in Georgetown salons.  It's amazing how flexible they suddenly become once they take an oath.  They serve at the pleasure of the president, and displeasing him is not an option.  It will be Mr. Obama who sets the policies, and his appointees who carry them out.  We have not heard those policies explained in detail, so we must be careful.

Second, people can be bypassed.  The most glittering names can suddenly find themselves with little to do.  Colin Powell was turned into a messenger by President Bush.  Cyrus Vance resigned as secretary of state in the Carter government because his advice was rejected.  And, of course, Supreme Court justices are famous, or notorious, for going their own way once the robes are fitted. 

So, good people don't necessary translate into good government.  Although I think he overstated the case and went trendy, David Halberstam illustrated that argument in "The Best and the Brightest," about the brilliant stars of the Kennedy and Johnson administration who handled Vietnam in a less-than-stellar manner. 

What will the president do?  What will his appointees be asked to do?  Those are the key questions.

November 24, 2008.