Barack Obama has selected two men to team with caroline kennedy to conduct his Vice Presidential search.

One, Eric Holder, was instrumental in securing Marc Rich's pardon from Bill Clinton on the last day of the Clinton Administration.

The other, James Johnson, received a series of sweetheart loans from Countrywide, including a large loan at an interest rate below 4% which looks like a gift.

Jim Geraghty, Ed Morrissey and Jake Tapper have the details and the key links.

Obama has been blasting Countryside and its CEO for months.  He's been promising a sharp break with the Beltway practices of the past.  So in his first week of nominee he finds himself defending old guard D.C. players who represent the restoration of the Clintons without the Clintons.  Fine.  But spare us the sanctimonious prattle about change.