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Harvard Pals Mastermind Transition

Law school network continues to propel Obama's rise

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 5, 2008 2:27 PM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama has tapped his Harvard Law School connections to staff his transition team, with 20 of his classmates among the dozens of grads shaping the next administration, Politico reports. “The numbers seem very large to me,” said one presidential historian (from Princeton) about what looks like the most crimson administration since that of JFK, Harvard College '40.

The group has been instrumental, if low profile, in Obama’s ascension. Eying national office, “he didn’t have a national network of people he could call on,” says Cassandra Butts, a classmate who’s the transition’s general counsel. “The Harvard group was helpful on that front.” The exodus to DC is a mixed blessing, according to the Harvard Law Record: “Obama’s gain is Harvard’s drain,” read a recent headline.

Barack Obama teaches at the University of Chicago Law School in this undated file photo. (AP Photo)

In this Nov. 13, 2008, file photo, people walk through Harvard Yard at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo)

This undated photo shows Barack Obama while a student of Harvard Law School, where he became the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, of which he is holding a copy. (AP Photo)

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Harvard Pals Mastermind Transition

Law school network continues to propel Obama's rise

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Ivy League • Harvard Law School • Harvard • transition team • President Obama • Cassandra Butts

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

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