Team Leaders

John Podesta, co-chair of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden's transition team, spoke to reporters this afternoon about the status of the transition effort.

He said the Obama camp will name transition team leaders for departments later this week. Some teams will begin their work as early as next Monday (Nov. 17), he said.

When asked whether Obama intends to retain Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Podesta said Obama has "great respect" for Gates. He said Obama intends to engage across the board with the federal agencies, noting a transition team will be sent to the Pentagon.

Obama will "render a judgment" on the defense secretary post after those briefings and after he has a chance to meet with his advisers, Podesta said.