Kissinger backs Hillary for SecState

James Lamont and Andrew Ward for the Financial Times:

Speaking at the World Economic Forum's India meeting, [former U.S. Secretary of State Henry] Kissinger said "I believe it would be an outstanding appointment," if Barack Obama, the president-elect, chose [New York Sen. Hillary] Clinton for the foreign affairs portfolio.

"If it is true [that she is in the running], it shows a number of things, including great courage on the part of the President-Elect. To appoint a very strong personality into a prominent cabinet position requires a great deal of courage."

According to some reports, however, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson are still possibilities for State. And it may well be someone we aren't talking about.

In other transition news, here are the latest appointments. They continue the pattern of putting the White House team in place before moving on to cabinet positions:

• Gregory Craig as White House counsel
• Pete Rouse as a senior White House advisor
• Jim Messina and Mona Sutphen as deputy chiefs of staff