Throughout his campaign, Obama never lost focus. Observers noted his rigor, his relentlessness, his even-keeled demeanor. His campaign kept knocking o

Throughout his campaign, Obama never lost focus. Observers noted his rigor, his relentlessness, his even-keeled demeanor. His campaign kept knocking on doors and taking in campaign donations right through Election Day.

"He has run a disciplined campaign," says political scientist David E. Lewis of Vanderbilt University. Obama "has avoided the upheavals of other campaigns, has not panicked and has begun transition-planning early, which is responsible."

By contrast, Lewis says, Bill Clinton — the last Democrat to win the presidency — was less disciplined in 1992, and his lack of organization during the transition led to a difficult first year.

"His agenda was sidetracked by scandals over the use of FBI files, firing of the White House Travel Office, nomination slip-ups, a $200 haircut and other problems," Lewis says. "Some of this is traced back to his own decision to name a cabinet first rather than a White House staff — and who he selected for his staff. A more experienced, Washington-savvy staff could have arguably smoothed out the transition."

Organizational skills such as Obama's "are absolutely essential to hitting the ground running," Lewis says. The president-elect lacks executive experience, he says, but he is a quick study — and he has the advantage of being able to learn from the mistakes of previous presidents.