Fantasy transition team

As registration draws to a close, I have a lot to look forward to next semester. My favorite class is POLSCI 187ES: Fantasy Transition Teams. Leapfrogging off the mega-success of the Munger gubernatorial campaign and the ensuing "Save Time: I.M. a Libertarian" program, the political science department is rolling out its inaugural fantasy transition team league in the form of a junior seminar. It will be taught by commissioner Peter Feaver, and it is giving game theory a whole new meaning!

Feaver will be using default roster settings: three advisers, three potential cabinet appointments, one communications member, one potential CIA/FBI appointee and two utility players. Scoring will also be based on league defaults: one point per position paper, two points per policy influenced, three points per policy enacted, two points per quantity political capital earned, .75 points per month in office and -4 points per major scandal. Grade distribution: Top 25 percent of the league get As, middle 50 percent get Bs and the bottom 25 percent fail. The draft takes place the day before inauguration.

I'll offer the rest of this space as a pre-season ranking guide based on past performance, predicted outcome and injury status.

1. Rahm Emanuel (UTIL)-Emanuel is a virtual lock for the Chief of Staff position, having already accepted the role. Congressional record includes the badass H.AMDT.480, amending H.R.2829 to prohibit the vice president's office from using funds appropriated to the executive branch. Take that, Dick Cheney! Drawbacks: Doesn't work on Shabbat, and triathlete status makes him prone to season-ending injuries. Projection: 173.5 Fantasy points.

2. Valerie Jarrett (ADV, CAB)-Jarrett benefits from a close relationship with Obama (she gave Michelle a job at City Hall in Chicago!). This bodes well for her fantasy production. Based on her quality output as the point woman in Obama's tight-knit cadre of advisers during the campaign, expect her role as White House senior adviser to be substantial. Output boost could come in the form of an appointment to secretary of housing and urban development. Projection: 164.75 Fantasy points.

3. Arianna Huffington (UTIL)-Although she's not likely to be offered or to take a post in the White House, she's last season's ranking Most Annoying Liberal, and thus controls a lot of clout. Former Obamatrons follow her every beck and call vis-a-vis her Huffington Post. We can guarantee her Web site will influence at least four major policies. Great sleeper pick for your UTIL slot. Projection: 151 Fantasy points.

4. Edward Rendell (CAB)-Secretaries of smaller departments are the most likely to directly influence policy because the president doesn't have time to care enough to come up with his own program. Rendell, now being considered for secretary of energy or transportation, looks to continue a long career of consistent fantasy production. Extra points for this current governor of Pennsylvania for helping the re-election campaign by courting a major swing state, blue collar workers and party fringe members all at once. Projection: 143 Fantasy points.

5. Dick Lugar (CAB)-I have a feeling Sen. Lugar, despite reluctance now, will be hard-pressed to turn down the secretary of defense role if it's offered to him. Bonus points: simultaneously "reaching across the aisle" and opening up a GOP Senate seat for contention two years ahead of schedule. Projection: 139 Fantasy points.

6. Anthony Zinni (CAB, NSC)-Unlike Jay Bilas, I have no problem giving Blue Devils credit where credit is due. He'll wield big-game influence in the inexperienced Obama team. Projection: 138.5 Fantasy points.

7. Gregory Craig (ADV, UTIL)-If scoring defaults gave points for rhyming names, Greg Craig would be tops. Although this is unfortunately not the case, Craig still looks like a top-tier performer. Pegged as the White House counsel, a typically low-impact position, Craig establishes his value based on the launch-pad nature of the job. Former counsels include big-name players like Alberto Gonzales and fantasy flame Harriet Miers. Projection: 126 Fantasy points.

8. William Ayers (CAB)-Ayers is considered the frontrunner for secretary of education. He has not only served on an educational board with the president-elect, but he's also the big man's best friend and closest confidant. Projection: 108 Fantasy points.

9. Warren Buffett (ADV, CAB)-His name was tossed around on both sides of the presidential debate as a potential secretary of the Treasury. Upside, he's very very good with money, and would single-handedly save the economy. Downside, he's not seriously being considered for the job. Multiply impact times probability, though, and you still get solid numbers. Projection: 102.5 Fantasy points.

10. Hillary Clinton (CAB)-If Andruw Jones taught us anything this year, it's that big-time players don't necessarily produce big-time numbers. Clinton commands some of the best raw stuff on the market, but personal tensions between the senator and the president-elect could spell trouble for your fantasy transition team. Currently she's being vetted for secretary of state (and she'd produce big-time in that role), but she has to overcome some liabilities before you consider her for your draft: namely, the potential scandal points lost on her should she turn down the role, and shady finances from her husband. Buyer beware. Projection: 93.75 Fantasy points.

Danny Lewin is a Trinity junior. His column runs every other Wednesday.