Obama transition teams examine agencies

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Yellow badge-wearing review teams for President-elect Barack Obama have begun poring over documents, budgets and tasks of U.S. federal agencies.

Designed to make the transition smooth between the administrations of President George Bush and Obama, 135 people are divided into 10 groups, along with advisers, The Washington Post reported. They will work until mid-December preparing reports that will help steer the incoming administration.

Obama aides said the teams are benefiting from a commitment by the Bush administration to cooperate as completely as possible to ease the transition.

"President Bush initiated preparations for the transition earlier, and with more extensive planning, than has ever been done before," White House spokesman Tony Fratto told the Post. "We've also benefited from new legal authorities that allowed for better preparation of the transition teams. As we're at war, defending the nation against terrorist threats and addressing a global financial crisis, it's more critical than ever that we have a successful transition."

John Podesta, chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton and co-chairman of the Obama transition, said Obama teams have "clear roles and missions" and most members have high-level agency knowledge.

"They were part of that culture; they understand the political issues as well as the bureaucratic issues," said Melody Barnes, Obama's Domestic Policy Council director, who is helping with the agency reviews.