Forward looking: supporters say Barack Obama’s overtures to Hillary Clinton show he will appoint staff not on the basis of their ideology but because they are competent

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton fought the campaign to be the Democratic presidential nominee on the basis of “change” versus “experience”. But Mrs Clinton’s potential appointment to Mr Obama’s cabinet and the inclusion of dozens of former Clinton officials in the president-elect’s transition team have convinced many people that “experience” will be the ultimate victor.