The biggest loser in the Obama transition sweepstakes so far seems to be Vice President-elect Joe Biden. As Hillary Clinton, Bob Gates, Jim Jones and others take up the key foreign affairs and national security posts, there isn't any room there for Biden. Nor is there any room for leadership by the Veep on economic affairs with heavy-weights Geithner, Summers, Romer and Volcker all on that team. Health care reform, another big Obama priority, is going to early Obama confidant and former Democratic Senate Leader Tom Daschle.
According to The New York Times, Obama does not plan to give Joe his own portfolio -- in the way Bill Clinton announced during his transition that Vice President Al Gore would take charge of environmental policy and science and technology development, much less Dick Cheney's role as deputy president. Joe will be a "trusted counselor" (in David Axelrod's words) on all issues. That's nice, but with the major portfolios all in the hands of sharp-elbowed others, Joe shouldn't hold his breath.
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