A president-elect must make consequential choices, nowhere more than in the family he assembles. In the naming of former Cincpac Commander Dennis Blair as Director of National Intelligence, Barack Obama has made a remarkable choice indeed.

He dipped deep into the ranks of those available to find someone who was passed over for more than a decade for the jobs for which he was the most obvious choice. Perhaps it is just because he is too nice a guy, too honourable, and far too thoughtful, someone who always takes a long view.