IF THE BUSH & OBAMA CABINETS WERE DOGS -- by Sybil Adelman Sage

The Obama cabinet, selected for competence and expertise, is a striking contrast to the outgoing one, picked by a Commander-in-Chief whose priority was loyalty to him.

If they were dogs, the new group might be likened to the Welsh Corgi, Greyhound, Bulldog, American Mastiff and German Wirehaired Pointer, breeds valued for their intelligence. The Bush team could boast about being as loyal as the Terrier, Chow-chow, Shar-pei, Golden Retriever and in the case of Dick Cheney, the French Mastiff, which often intimidates unknown people.

Among the first tasks of the new president will be to establish himself as the alpha male of this dominant pack.