Under Obama, there will be a new elite in Washington. Some of its members:

THE THINK TANKER
John Podesta
At the helm of the left-leaning Center for American Progress, transition chief Podesta will have a huge intellectual influence on policymaking.

THE LOBBYIST
Tony Podesta
Representing trade associations and liberal NGOs, the older Podesta brother leads an influential firm that, with Obama across town, will do even better.

THE GREEN GURU
Gene Karpinski
With a sympathetic ear in the White House, Karpinski's League of Conservation Voters plans to push policy on climate change, green tech and species protection.

THE WISE MAN
Brent Scowcroft
National-security adviser under Bush 41, the veteran realist Scowcroft has been repeatedly praised, and consulted, by the president-elect.

THE CONSULTANT
Joel Benenson
Obama's chief pollster during the campaign will return to his day job, where his powerful consulting firm will no doubt see a flood of new business.

THE GEEK
Robert Boorstin
Google's D.C. communications director and well-connected Clintonista will have great influence over issues of tech, commerce and Web policy.

THE COUPLE
Bob Bauer and Anita Dunn
Bauer was the campaign's chief lawyer while Dunn ran the research and rapid-response unit. Both are heading back to their respective lobbying and consulting shops.