200,000 resumes + a cell phone = No small change

By GottaLaff

There are a lot of unemployed people out there:

An Obama transition official tells NBC News that they've received more than 200,000 work applications through the official transition web site, www.change.gov. since it went operational shortly after the election.

The same official points out: "There was an incredible amout of enthusiasm in the campaign and people all across the country are carrying that same energy into the transition."

And they don't seem terribly surprised by the influx of applications coming their way -- pointing out, after all, that more than three million people donated money to the campaign.

And to amend this earlier post:

Incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, on Capitol Hill today to meet with House and Senate Republicans, says that the lines of communication will run across the aisle in an Obama administration.

Senate Republicans say that promise includes the famously outgoing Democrat's digits.

I baking powder? Ex-squeeze me? Leave Rahm's digits outta this.

"He gave us all his personal cell phone," said newly-selected Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Ensign, who met with Emanuel today. "He said he promised to get back us on issues within 24 hours."

Oh. Those digits. Wow, all that and a 24 hour turnaround time? That is impressive.

Incoming NRSC Chair John Cornyn praised the fact that Emanuel took the time to reach out to Republican leaders. "He thought it was important enough to come over and spend an hour with us," Cornyn said. "[That] speaks volumes, more than just what he said." The Texas senator added that he's anxious to see "whether the actions match the message." [...]

Ensign, who said that he was "very pleased" with today's conversation with Emanuel, was optimistic about the incoming administration's intentions. "His words were basically 'this is not a head-fake on bipartisanship. This is real.' They really want to work in a bipartisan fashion and it's not about just saying it, they actually plan on doing it," Ensign said. "Those are exactly the right words to use."

Hmmm, I remember a time not so long ago when someone said all Obama had were his words. It seems our new president has already succeeded in bringing change to Washington.