Republicans who spoke with Obama said that the president-elect has called them directly at various times during the day, clearly enunciating his name on voice mail as though they might somehow confuse him with someone else…

The friendly gestures seem to be having positive effects. King told Obama that he would not take any political shots at the incoming president…

Not all ranking Republicans, however, have received personal calls, hinting at which ranking Republicans Obama sees as his most promising allies or most formidable opponents.