Counting Chickens Before They Hatch: Obama Already Handing Out Administration Positions

I’m not hopeful about McCain’s chances, but this doesn’t seem the time for Obama to be getting cocky.

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama’s campaign has approached Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel about possibly serving as White House chief of staff, officials said Thursday as the marathon presidential race entered its final, frenzied stretch with a Democratic tilt. . . .
The Democrats who described the Obama campaign’s approach to Emanuel spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to be quoted by name. An aide to the congressman, Sarah Feinberg, said in an e-mail that he “has not been contacted to take a job in an administration that does not yet exist. Everyone is focused on Election Day, as they should be.”
Asked about Emanuel after touching down in Colombia, Mo., on Thursday night, Obama said only: “I’m trying to win an election.” Then, referring to campaign manager David Plouffe, he said: “Plouffe is my chief of staff.”
Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton earlier had said: “There’s no news because there’s no job to offer.”

He’s talking about cabinet positions too. I know that with the media fawning all around him he’s probably thinking the election is merely a formality, but still. You’d think he’d wait until he takes office before lining up his staff.
Update: Good grief…

The Obama campaign has opened a new fund-raising front, I’ve learned, creating a nonprofit entity to bankroll Barack Obama’s presidential transition operation, quietly in business for months.
The organization is called the “Obama Transition Project.” The money is being raised from individual donors — no Internet, direct mail or events — with a $5,000 donation cap. Under self-imposed rules, lobbyists will not be allowed to contribute.
Though Obama has raised more than $600 million for his White House bid, legally it is for the election only. The first disclosure report does not have to be filed until Nov. 15.

I guess when your minions (see: ACORN) are out fomenting election fraud across the country you can afford to be this arrogant.