The President-elect enjoys immersing himself in policy minutae, but transition aides have prepared detailed briefing books about each candidate.

The two say their transition aides have been deluged with resumes.

Earlier today, Mr. Bush's top transition aides said the President-elect was determined that senior Administration jobs include women, blacks and more members of other minorities.

Advisers to Mr. Clinton said today that two more transition aides would be named this week.

Others have come by mail and messenger; resumes have been slipped over the transom and even stuffed into home mailboxes of transition aides.

"A lot of it is instinct with him," one transition aide said of Mr. Clinton.

"Cheney's keeping this very close to the vest," a transition aide said.

The real worry of the Jewish groups, transition aides contend, is that their monopoly on representing Jewish positions is being broken.

Mr. Clinton and his transition aides have indicated that this is the case.

The one at which Mr. Bush made his comments was held before he met with transition aides to discuss personnel matters.