Gawain 0 #1 December 1, 2008 Okay, I'm not judging anything in broad strokes, but right now, I am not in a panic over how President-elect Obama's cabinet is shaping up to be so far. My initial impressions are: SecDef Gates: The only guy for the job, I'll be surprised if he stays on for any length of time though, I expect he'll leave the post within 18-24 months. SecState Clinton: This is a double edged sword--it keeps her out of any potential running in 4 years if things run smoothly. If things do not though, she can leave the post, and run against him, armed with all sorts of inside-goody-info. On the whole though, she's smart, and she'll do the job well I think (in terms of carrying out policy). SecHHS Daschle: This one raises my eyebrow more than the others, I don't think he would've accepted the nod for HHS if he hadn't been assured of something about socialized medicine, etc. NSAdvisor Jones Jr.: He's a Marine. 'Nuff said. SecCommerce Richards: I thought he was going to be named to Dept of State, so I don't think this one is a plus/minus either way... SecHomelandSecurity Napolitano: I don't know anything about her, any red flags that aren't on the fringe?? ...that's the quick and dirty... Right now, I don't see the wave of far left drivers that many of us perceived during the election...thoughts?So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #2 December 1, 2008 Obama making good on his promise to "reach across the isle" ? I expected no less. Yes, he was short on experience in Washington (as was Palin). The smart move is to surround yourself with experienced folks. Obama is a smart guy, and he's making good choices.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks2065 0 #3 December 1, 2008 Quote Obama making good on his promise to "reach across the isle" ? I expected no less. Yes, he was short on experience in Washington (as was Palin). The smart move is to surround yourself with experienced folks. Obama is a smart guy, and he's making good choices. i am holding judgement until about 2 years into his presidency, that is when the changes Obama puts in actually start to affect us. there are some things that Obama can make effective shortly after he is sworn in but most things need to go through congress first. No matter who he puts in his cabinet the final descision is his to make so that will determine the outcome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #4 December 1, 2008 QuoteSecState Clinton: This is a double edged sword--it keeps her out of any potential running in 4 years if things run smoothly. If things do not though, she can leave the post, and run against him, armed with all sorts of inside-goody-info. On the whole though, she's smart, and she'll do the job well I think (in terms of carrying out policy). I think that's reaching a bit to say she'd be able to run against him for his second term. I'm trying hard to think of the last time an incumbent President in his first term that ran opposed for the nomination of his second. Hmmm, nothing coming to mind immediately. Certainly there must be one out there somewhere, but I sure as heck can't think of it. The appointment of Hillary to Sec. of State is actually a nice compromise move on both their parts. It allows her to have international status for her personal ego and legacy yet also keeps her from really doing anything independent of his policy including messing in domestic issues.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingOsh 0 #5 December 1, 2008 Quote Obama making good on his promise to "reach across the isle" ? I expected no less. Yes, he was short on experience in Washington (as was Palin). The smart move is to surround yourself with experienced folks. Obama is a smart guy, and he's making good choices. Which isle is he reaching across with clinton, napolitano, richards, and daschle? -------------------------------------------------- Stay positive and love your life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #6 December 1, 2008 Quote SecState Clinton: This is a double edged sword--it keeps her out of any potential running in 4 years if things run smoothly. If things do not though, she can leave the post, and run against him, armed with all sorts of inside-goody-info. On the whole though, she's smart, and she'll do the job well I think (in terms of carrying out policy). She can do no such thing. While 2nd term challengers are possible, not from inside the Cabinet. The party would not permit her to do this, and she's already on thin ice from her behavior earlier in the year. Not Lieberman thin, but certainly being watched. Quote SecHHS Daschle: This one raises my eyebrow more than the others, I don't think he would've accepted the nod for HHS if he hadn't been assured of something about socialized medicine, etc. Nothing is assured. Congress has to pass it. If the Obama Adminstration forces conversation on the subject for the first time since 1993, good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #7 December 1, 2008 QuoteQuote SecState Clinton: This is a double edged sword--it keeps her out of any potential running in 4 years if things run smoothly. If things do not though, she can leave the post, and run against him, armed with all sorts of inside-goody-info. On the whole though, she's smart, and she'll do the job well I think (in terms of carrying out policy). She can do no such thing. While 2nd term challengers are possible, not from inside the Cabinet. The party would not permit her to do this, and she's already on thin ice from her behavior earlier in the year. Not Lieberman thin, but certainly being watched. She most certainly can. There are several scenarios which could fuel the concept. QuoteQuote SecHHS Daschle: This one raises my eyebrow more than the others, I don't think he would've accepted the nod for HHS if he hadn't been assured of something about socialized medicine, etc. Nothing is assured. Congress has to pass it. If the Obama Adminstration forces conversation on the subject for the first time since 1993, good. Not good if you don"t support socialized care.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #8 December 1, 2008 QuoteQuote Obama making good on his promise to "reach across the isle" ? I expected no less. Yes, he was short on experience in Washington (as was Palin). The smart move is to surround yourself with experienced folks. Obama is a smart guy, and he's making good choices. Which isle is he reaching across with clinton, napolitano, richards, and daschle? So you want Obama to pick his entire team from opponents? Some people have no idea what balance is...Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #9 December 1, 2008 QuoteWhich isle is he reaching across with clinton, napolitano, richards, and daschle? Reaching across the isle doesn't mean going completely to the other side. It means taking people from both sides, based on their qualifications.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingOsh 0 #10 December 1, 2008 QuoteQuoteWhich isle is he reaching across with clinton, napolitano, richards, and daschle? Reaching across the isle doesn't mean going completely to the other side. It means taking people from both sides, based on their qualifications. Who has he appointed that represents the other side? -------------------------------------------------- Stay positive and love your life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingOsh 0 #11 December 1, 2008 QuoteQuoteQuote Obama making good on his promise to "reach across the isle" ? I expected no less. Yes, he was short on experience in Washington (as was Palin). The smart move is to surround yourself with experienced folks. Obama is a smart guy, and he's making good choices. Which isle is he reaching across with clinton, napolitano, richards, and daschle? So you want Obama to pick his entire team from opponents? Some people have no idea what balance is... Not one of those people represents "across the isle." Nor do any of his other appointees thus far. Feel free to elighten me on the definition of balance. -------------------------------------------------- Stay positive and love your life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #12 December 1, 2008 You're right. Gates and Jones are life time members of the Democratic Party.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingOsh 0 #13 December 1, 2008 QuoteYou're right. Gates and Jones are life time members of the Democratic Party. General Jones? Could you tell me which party with whom he affiliates? I'm happy Obama chose to keep Gates around for a while. -------------------------------------------------- Stay positive and love your life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #14 December 1, 2008 I'm expecting a different tune from the conservatives. The New Republic and Rush both had positive things to say about this. Rush feels it was a shrewed move that shows a more aggressive side to Obama that he didn't expect. He's impressed that Obama took away the best candidate to run against him in the 2012 primary. Then TNR is cheering "Hawks for Hillary" because they think she will continue the Neo Con foreign agenda. Jim Jones is getting bashed on rumors that he is a Big Oil puppet. I'm still shocked to hear the talking heads say positive things about a Clinton and even more surprised to see so many other conservatives follow along. Maybe Obama does know what he is doing after all?_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingOsh 0 #15 December 2, 2008 Quote Maybe Obama does know what he is doing after all? I certainly hope so. -------------------------------------------------- Stay positive and love your life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #16 December 2, 2008 QuoteQuoteYou're right. Gates and Jones are life time members of the Democratic Party. General Jones? Could you tell me which party with whom he affiliates? I'm happy Obama chose to keep Gates around for a while. This stupid shit is closely akin to the "This is change??" talking point. Keep it up; the American people will hand you your asses in the next Congressional elections, too. Fine with me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #17 December 2, 2008 I thought Bill Richardson would be a fantastic SecState as well. However, the Dems do a far better job than republicans of grooming future leaders. Commerce gets Bill Richardson some serious experience in another aspect of government. I still believe he was the best choice running of all the Democrats in the primaries. Perhaps later he'll run again and be both far more experienced and successful. I'll probably vote against him, being a conservative, but he is one of the left's more palatable leaders and quite a smart fellow. I've heard from people who've worked with him that he's a fantastic guy to boot. I expected Secretary Gates to stay on, though I don't think he will stay for more than a couple of years. Extremely great man, there. SecState was a great surprise to me. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingOsh 0 #18 December 2, 2008 QuoteQuoteQuoteYou're right. Gates and Jones are life time members of the Democratic Party. General Jones? Could you tell me which party with whom he affiliates? I'm happy Obama chose to keep Gates around for a while. This stupid shit is closely akin to the "This is change??" talking point. Keep it up; the American people will hand you your asses in the next Congressional elections, too. Fine with me. What are you talking about? Is it where I said Obama's choice to keep Gates was a good one? -------------------------------------------------- Stay positive and love your life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
likearock 2 #19 December 2, 2008 Quote I'm trying hard to think of the last time an incumbent President in his first term that ran opposed for the nomination of his second. Hmmm, nothing coming to mind immediately. Certainly there must be one out there somewhere, but I sure as heck can't think of it. Kennedy, Carter: 1980 Reagan, Ford: 1976 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #20 December 2, 2008 Quote The appointment of Hillary to Sec. of State is actually a nice compromise move on both their parts. It allows her to have international status for her personal ego and legacy yet also keeps her from really doing anything independent of his policy including messing in domestic issues. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." -- Sun-tzu"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #21 December 2, 2008 QuoteQuote I'm trying hard to think of the last time an incumbent President in his first term that ran opposed for the nomination of his second. Hmmm, nothing coming to mind immediately. Certainly there must be one out there somewhere, but I sure as heck can't think of it. Kennedy, Carter: 1980 Reagan, Ford: 1976 Buchanan, if he counts, ran in 1992. Wasn't a serious challenger, like Reagan or Kennedy, but not a total fringe player either. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
