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I've been frustrated by the rush in some quarters to criticize every Obama pick (and even some picks that were only rumored). But I completely agree that it works both ways. I can look at these picks and say, at most, that they appear to be competent individuals who could be effective at carrying out Obama's agenda. But until we see what that agenda is, the best one can be is cautiously optimistic. And while I am more than cautiously optimistic that the Obama administration will be a vast improvement over Bush, it is still far too early to declare that a New Day has dawned in any fundamental way.