The latest transition rumors

As usual, treat these reports with caution:

Citing "Democratic sources," ABC News is reporting that retired Marine Gen. James L. Jones is the top candidate for the post of national security advisor to the incoming U.S. president. Retired Adm. Dennis C. Blair, the former head of Pacific Command, is Barack Obama's top choice to become director of national intelligence. "Neither job has been officially offered or accepted," Jake Tapper and Martha Raddatz say. Many Obama advisors, they add, are thought to support James Steinberg over General Jones.

Marc Ambinder adds that John Brennan, former director of the National Counterrorism Center, is already assembling a team to bring with him to the Central Intelligence Agency. Brennan, a lifelong Republican, would be a controversial pick among Democrats due to his role in the Bush administration.