VALERIE LOVES ME.

Just like everyone else, we've been doing a lot of speculation about executive branch appointments. To which Obama confidant Valerie Jarrett says...

"There isn't a single name on that list that you've heard from President-elect Obama," Jarrett told the Trotter Group in an hour-long interview session in Washington. "There's not a single name on that list that you've heard from me, or from John Podesta or from Pete Rouse," referring to the three co-chairs of Obama's transition.

"Or, now from Rahm Emanuel. So the five people who actually do know the names on the list, you haven't spoken to," Jarratt said. "So what I think you see in the newspaper is what everybody speculates. ... My guess is they're speculating on the people who are most commonly thought of."

Indeed, none of these people are talking. Even when there was criticism of Rahm Emanuel for being too public (and leaky!) about his decision to accept the chief-of-staff job, I wouldn't be surprised if at least some of those leaks were intententional and put out to test the reaction to the Emanuel pick.

But I will defend the speculative process, because it is a roundabout way for reporters to think about policy. Slotting in different people who appear, by dint of resume or another place in the issue conversation, forces us to consider what kind of ideas they would bring to the post, who would favor them, who would benefit, and how things might change in their particular office. The priorities of a John Kerry State Department would be very different from those of a Dick Lugar State Department.

Incidentally, the latest speculation about Jarrett is that she could end up with Obama's Senate seat.

--Tim Fernholz