Obama's economic team has Mass. ties

Barack Obama's economic team, which he formally announced today, is loaded with Massachusetts ties.

Melody C. Barnes, who will serve as director of the Domestic Policy Council, worked as chief counsel to Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the Senate Judiciary Committee from December 1995 to March 2003.

Obama's pick for deputy director of the council, Heather A. Higginbottom, is a former staffer for the state's other senator, John F. Kerry. Higginbottom worked as Kerry's legislative director from 1999 to 2007, and also served as deputy national policy director for Kerry's presidential campaign.

Harvard professor Lawrence Summers, who has already emerged as an influential economic adviser to Obama, will head up the National Economic Council.

Finally, Christina Romer, who Obama tapped as chairwoman of the Council of Economic Advisers, is an MIT graduate who nearly joined the faculty of Harvard this year. University President Drew Gilpin Faust vetoed Romer's appointment in May.

UPDATE: Senator Edward Kennedy issued a statement following the announcement of Barnes's appointment:

“I had the great privilege of working closely with Melody for many years as my chief counsel. She’s a rare talent with a unique combination of impressive intellect, broad knowledge of issues, strong values and warm personality that will serve President Obama well. She’s an excellent choice to coordinate domestic policy in the Obama White House.”