The Obama team wanted Hillary far from the West Wing.

CNN: Analysis: Bill Clinton as a diplomatic fix-it man

Mr Obama is edging closer to appointing the rest of his national security team, too, with Hillary Clinton as probable secretary of state (see Lexington) and James Jones as probable national security adviser.

ECONOMIST: Barack Obama��s defence team is taking shape

"They were energised by seeing everybody, " says Sarah Farnsworth, an executive with the San Diego Padres baseball team and a former aide to Hillary Clinton.

BBC: Christmas at the White House: What do you say to Obama?

Holland also pointed out that despite a concerted outreach by the McCain-Palin team to former women supporters of Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, women nationwide seem to be sticking with Obama -- 52 percent of women are planning to vote Democratic, while 45 percent are backing McCain.

CNN: McCain, Obama deadlocked in presidential race

Now, part of the reason that Hillary Clinton wanted Richard as part of her team is because she, too, is relentless.

WHITEHOUSE: Diplomatic Corps Holiday Reception

These include Flynt and Hillary Mann Leverett, a husband-and-wife team who worked for the Bush administration but have become tireless promulgators of the view that America is heading towards another calamitous war.

ECONOMIST: One game Barack Obama has not yet fumbled