The US is a very conservative country (in the non-political sense of the word). We aren't in a rush to change things, our political parties and the citizens take this stuff really seriously. Because we've never had a violent transition of power and because the administrations have been at worst accepting and usually they assist each other to make a smooth transition that is good for the country.
Bush and Obama will have hundred of phone calls and several meetings over the next 2 and a half months to make the transition smooth. Bush and Tres. Sec. Paulson have allowed President Elect Obama to select the "bail out tzar" so there won't be any issues. There is no rush, despite our partisan bitching, moaning, mud slinging, and frustration there is a deep vein of patriotism and social responsibility that demands that we come together when needed.
Europeans make fun of American patriotism because they only see the jingoistic, shield banging, unilateral "preemptive strike" side of it; they aren't cognizant of it's restorative and functional powers.
I would cite regulation, but I know you will simply ignore it.
