WHY MESS WITH SUCCESS?:

Obama Is Expected to Put Education Overhaul on Back Burner (ROBERT TOMSHO and JOHN HECHINGER, 11/11/08, Wall Street Journal)

Critics of the Bush administration's education policies had hoped that putting a Democrat in the White House would mean dramatic changes, including the potential scrapping of the No Child Left Behind law and its reliance on standardized testing, as well as more federal dollars for schools.

But with the financial crisis and other priorities bearing down, President-elect Barack Obama's education initiatives -- at least early in his term -- are expected to be more about tinkering than bold change.

Intelligence Policy to Stay Largely Intact (SIOBHAN GORMAN, 11/11/08, Wall Street Journal)

President-elect Barack Obama is unlikely to radically overhaul controversial Bush administration intelligence policies, advisers say, an approach that is almost certain to create tension within the Democratic Party.

Obama Leans Toward Asking Gates to Remain at Pentagon for a Year (YOCHI J. DREAZEN, 11/10/08, Wall Street Journal)

President-elect Barack Obama is leaning toward asking Defense Secretary Robert Gates to remain in his position for at least a year, according to two Obama advisers. A senior Pentagon official said Mr. Gates would likely accept the offer if it is made.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Barack Obama is to George W. Bush as Chris Matthews is to Barack Obama.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 10, 2008 10:04 PM