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The key word for Obama during the transitional period is "consult," says John J. Pitney Jr., a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College. As the president-elect, Obama "should consult economic experts, the congressional leadership, business leaders."

And, Pitney says, "If Obama does not get a filibuster-proof majority, he may consult the Senate Republicans."

As for the Republicans in the House of Representatives, "They may as well go get some old DVDs of The West Wing, Pitney says, "because that's as close to the White House as they will get."

Obama needs to make a handful of appointments that are "astutely bipartisan or non-partisan," says Paul C. Light.

And many of the new Democratic senators and representatives will come from traditionally Republican states and districts, Light says. "They'll tend to vote more Republican than the safe-seat Democrats."

That will make things difficult for Obama in building majorities, Light says, and "the last thing Obama needs is increased polarization of Congress."