Originally published Monday, November 10, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Pentagon sets topics for new boss
Barack Obama's transition team has yet to show up at the Pentagon, but the president-elect did make a brief courtesy call to Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, late last week. Obama phoned to say he was looking forward to working with the nation's top military officer, but there was no talk of major issues.
Associated Press Writer
Barack Obama's transition team has yet to show up at the Pentagon, but the president-elect did make a brief courtesy call to Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, late last week. Obama phoned to say he was looking forward to working with the nation's top military officer, but there was no talk of major issues.
No word whether he made a similar call to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is thought to be under consideration for a job extension.
The Defense Department's transition team, led by Robert Rangel, special assistant to Gates, compiled info on dozens of key issues that would need attention during the first 90 days of the new administration.
Mullen has his own task force working with Rangel's group. His 14-member team, led by Marine Brig. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., gathered data so Mullen can lay out the military options addressing eight to 10 top issues. Those issues range from war strategy and the Iranian threat to the grim reality of how seven years at war has strained U.S. armed forces.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Others states' fights bring focus to Daniels
NEW - 07:13 AM
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is writing memoir
Bill would make jail mug shots available
Immigration, license bill voted down in state Senate
Rival Texas bills require sonograms before abortions

Follow seattletimes.com on Twitter
Get the top stories on-the-go by following seattletimes.com on Twitter. We'll tweet the news and information you need around the clock and keep you up-to-date no matter where you are. Go to www.twitter.com/seattletimes to sign up now.
general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Electronics
just listed
Adorable Bull Terrier puppies for good home...
AKC Great Dane Puppies Ready
AKC PAL/ILP Registered Labs
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
503 - Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
396 - Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
342 - AP Source: Obama to change birth control rule
314 - Oregon live game thread
155 - Worker: Josh Powell told son he had 'surprise'
112 - Rough road again
108 - A few late-night notes
95 - USA Today further spells out how Mariners, handful of clubs next in line for huge cash windfall
75 - Marijuana legalization initiative set to go on Nov. ballot
74
- Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Economy, blogs give survivalists new reason to look to Northwest
- State's share of mortgage settlement: $648 million
- Bellevue College adds a third bachelor's degree program
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review
