The Shadow President

The New Republic has a must read profile on John Podesta, the man managing Obama's transition plans.

If CAP is any indication, chances are that discipline will prevail. And no one has been more influential in creating that new ethos of single-minded purpose than John Podesta and his whip-wielding pal, Skippy. In the past five years, Podesta has turned his think tank into a combination of highly efficient liberal war room and Democratic administration-in-waiting. That feat, along with his crucial role running the Obama transition, has made Podesta arguably the second-most important figure in his party. And, while Podesta announced this week that he won't leave CAP to join Obama's White House team, in many ways the Obama presidency will reflect his influence in the years ahead.