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.

Not so, says the Obama camp. "People are fundamentally misreading how Obama is making his appointments - this is about 'change with experience'," said an unpaid adviser. "He is choosing people who he believes can get things done - not on the basis of their ideology but because they are competent."