President-elect Barack Obama made more solid picks for his Cabinet, officially announcing today that Hillary Clinton would be secretary of state and that he was retaining Robert Gates as defense secretary. Anti-war activists won’t be happy, but the choices are pragmatic and reflect how Obama values smart people, including those whose views may differ from his.
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39 Comments
Wow.
Adults.
And winners all.
Sweet!!
Dennis
Wonder if Hillary will continue to remember ducking bullets that weren’t really there. that kind of “memory lapse” could prove very embarrasing….
Few of us are demanding ideological purity from Obama, but here’s a word a caution (and also a reminder of the importance of grassroots activism):
The John Brennan Fiasco
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/11/26/torture/index.html
Fortunately, it never got to the point of even CNN vetting–the transition team, it’s said, gave him the thumbs-down.
By all means, be supportive, but let’s stop future grave errors before they start (keeping the FISA fiasco in mind). Thanks!
I still don’t like keeping Gates. BAD idea that one.
Remember, Gates is the guy who made the occupation of Iraq (sort of) work. Keeping him is a hint that we will continue to waste money in Iraq.
I think it’s interesting that not one person on this “team” actually opposed the war.
Funny thing for a guy whose whole candidacy started out as a referendum on his good judgment to oppose the war.
In the south, they call that crawfishing.
I still don’t like keeping Gates. BAD idea that one.
I don’t either, but it’s clear that withdrawing from Iraq is going to happen. I hope Gates takes his leave long before the year is up.
Still, had Obama gone forward with John Brennan that would have been an ominous sign indeed.
And I remain concerned about what we’re going to in Afghanistan. Mind you, we can’t just immediately leave, but history is not on the side on intervening powers. I am encouraged that there is at least rumblings of talking to the Taliban, as despicable as they are.
Didn’t bush sign an agreement for a timetable to leave Iraq within the last few days? And isn’t Iraq all for us leaving? Seems everyone agrees on this one. WE WON! WE WON! Bush won! And has agreed it is time for our troops to come home! It’s his decision!
I like the team! Including Baker who I think will facilitate the transition nicely.
It is so encouraging to see people with proven expertise in leadership roles!
If President Obama and his team simply follow the plan bush and Iraq agreed to America will have her troops home and the whole fiasco of Iraq — beginning to end — was bush’s!
Solid establishment. Yep.
No change.
Who is the guy in the background?
You mean the one with the blondish hair?
outlander
Posted December 1, 2008 at 1:54 pm | Permalink
Who is the guy in the background?
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I think his name is Dave or Henry….Not real sure..
Mr_Kia
Posted December 1, 2008 at 1:55 pm | Permalink
You mean the one with the blondish hair?
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Post-Op?
ANTI
Posted December 1, 2008 at 1:57 pm | Permalink
Mr_Kia
Posted December 1, 2008 at 1:55 pm | Permalink
You mean the one with the blondish hair?
==============
Post-Op?
—————————————————-
By op do you mean the one with the plugs or the cankles? LOL
Wonder if Hillary will continue to remember ducking bullets that weren’t really there.
Now that’s funny, I don’t care who you are.
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Funny thing for a guy whose whole candidacy started out as a referendum on his good judgment to oppose the war.
In the south, they call that crawfishing.
Well, KFG –
In the rest of the world, that’s called pragmatic governance. Politics is politics; you say what you have to, to get elected.
Governance is another thing. Obama’s a bright guy, and knows full well that an immediate and unconditional pullout would leave a mess. He must deal with the situation as it is. And frankly, he ought to thank Bush – and Gates – that the situation he’s inheriting is not the disaster it appeared to be some 2-3 years ago. Yes, yes, it would have been better not to go in at all, but that Rubicon is already crossed; Obama is smart enough to deal with the situation as it is, not as he wishes it was.
Just wondering: will there be a court challenge to Hillary per the conversation last week? And if so, how does one argue that he has standing to challenge the appointment? I don’t really care; he’s certainly entitled to put the people in place he wants. I just think it’s an interesting Constitutional question.
Mcsame? Obama = More of the same?
Repbus are scratching their heads and asking, ‘But where are all the corporate chieftans and campaign fundraises?
If mccain/palin has won, the loyalty tests would’ve began a few weeks ago, and the mccain lobbyist would be lining up on stage instead of qualified candidates.
The Justice dept. would be out canvassing the church colleges interviewing.
“Change has come today.”
Bet dipwad rush is foaming at the mouth tomorrow, earning his keep.
Phantom
Posted December 1, 2008 at 2:54 pm | Permalink
Repbus are scratching their heads and asking, ‘But where are all the corporate chieftans and campaign fundraises?
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In whatever pockets the re-treads have climbed out of.
*That should be attached to the pockets.
#
American_Way
Posted December 1, 2008 at 2:00 pm | Permalink
Mcsame? Obama = More of the same?
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Not even close.
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Phantom
Posted December 1, 2008 at 3:35 pm | Permalink
Bet dipwad rush is foaming at the mouth tomorrow, earning his keep.
———————-
I knew BlueJay is a much bigger contributor to Rush’s ratings than for instance, I am, but I wasn’t sure about you, Phantom.
I’m sure he appreciates your listening.
Muslim terrorists are now training killer squads in Pakistan to target Americans, Brits, and Jews for death in large numbers, as we have seen in India.
They are not nearly done yet.
An attack targeting Americans anywhere is an attack on us all.
Do something, President Bush.
Meanwhile, Obamanation is planning, as expected, to gut military spending and divert funds to expanding ranks of leftist diplomats and aid workers who will – do nothing much for our national security, we may well expect.
God help us, the leftists think they can talk and cajole and bribe our way out of more terrorist attacks on Americans, as we have just seen launched from Pakistan into India. They think maybe the UN might act to preserve and protect our national security and sovereignty, or to prevent a civil war between Muslims and Hindus in India, or nuclear war between India and Pakistan.
We are in the clutches of madmen.
Some one appears to be ‘uncle tomming’ their way on the way to the White House.
Meanwhile, Obamanation is planning, as expected, to gut military spending and divert funds to expanding ranks of leftist diplomats and aid workers who will – do nothing much for our national security, we may well expect.
—————————————————-
These aid workers are dead people. I feel sorry for any of them stupid enough to sign-up for that plan.
“but history is not on the side on intervening powers. I am encouraged that there is at least rumblings of talking to the Taliban, as despicable as they are.”
Neville Chamberlain did a great job containing the Nazis by traveling to Germany and talking with Hitler while brokering disarmament treaties.
Isn’t it interesting that only one side kept the treaty? (hint: It wasn’t the despicable one)
History is not on the side of showing positive results from talking to people who are despicable. Keep living in that pseudo-intellectual dream world. But don’t say that history is on your side.
Neville Chamberlain did a great job containing the Nazis by traveling to Germany and talking with Hitler while brokering disarmament treaties.
That standard idiot response: talking to anyone = Neville Chamberlain. Bombs away.
I will freely disagree with Obama when I see fit, but it will sooo nice to not have children like RFL determining our foreigh policy.
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Regular
Posted December 1, 2008 at 4:57 pm | Permalink
Some one appears to be ‘uncle tomming’ their way on the way to the White House.
=====================================================
Still got that problem with race, huh?
#
RFL
Posted December 1, 2008 at 5:02 pm | Permalink
History is not on the side of showing positive results from talking to people who are despicable. Keep living in that pseudo-intellectual dream world. But don’t say that history is on your side.
======================================================
Then maybe it’s time for change.
#
JMWalker
Posted December 1, 2008 at 5:50 pm | Permalink
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Regular
Posted December 1, 2008 at 4:57 pm | Permalink
Some one appears to be ‘uncle tomming’ their way on the way to the White House.
=====================================================
Still got that problem with race, huh?
=================
Not really…
I call like I see it, and it’s an expression to denote compromising one’s ideology.
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Regular
Posted December 1, 2008 at 6:22 pm | Permalink
#
JMWalker
Posted December 1, 2008 at 5:50 pm | Permalink
#
Regular
Posted December 1, 2008 at 4:57 pm | Permalink
Still got that problem with race, huh?
=================
Not really…
I call like I see it, and it’s an expression to denote compromising one’s ideology.
====================================================
Well, if that’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for . . . you.
How ’bout those priests who are saying that voting for Obama is a sin because of Obama’s support for stem cell research? As a Catholic, I have a dilemma. Pope John Paul and current Pope Benedict have also condemned George Bush’s war on Iraq. Pope John Paul said publicly, into a microphone, with George Bush standing next to him, that Bush’s war on Iraq failed to meet the test of a moral war.
My goodness. Those priests who have ignored the popes’ pronouncements need to examine their conscience, their souls, their fidelity to the Church.
I wonder if Hillary Clinton’s appointment to the post of Secretary of State was part of Obama’s long-range political strategy. Everyone says that that appointment is an end to a political career and is not the place from which to launch a bid for the Presidency. I wonder if Obama is burying Clinton in a place where she is not likely to be a threat to him in 2012.
Keep wondering WAR; those of us who have actually studied Obama’s plans to help America inderstand his strategy. Everyone knows that Hillary clinton’s chances for the presidency have passed – for better or worse. A ’same-party’ try in 2012 would be doomed from the start (ask Teddy Kennedy). By 2016 she will be too old for a run.
As SoS she can help the country that we all love. THAT is the strategy; not the Machieavellian conspiricy you and others on the right like to hallucinate about.
“Everyone knows that Hillary clinton’s chances for the presidency have passed.”
Oh now I wouldn’t say that. She is only 61.
bth,
Easy there! Those poor wingnuts need their Machievellian plots. It’s their only way of avoiding responsibility by pretending like they see something the rest of us don’t.
Hey, James McCluer, sorry, I mean Regular,
I will be sending you a book after I’ve read it, called Rapture for the Geeks: How AI outsmarted IQ. Thought you’d enjoy it, if anyone would. Consider it an early Christmas gift.
Night all.
#
StevenEDavis
Posted December 1, 2008 at 11:00 pm | Permalink
Hey, James McCluer, sorry, I mean Regular,
I will be sending you a book after I’ve read it, called Rapture for the Geeks: How AI outsmarted IQ. Thought you’d enjoy it, if anyone would. Consider it an early Christmas gift.
Night all.
————————–
I probably won’t be able to read it as I have non focused vision and am partially blind in one eye now. I can read web pages because I can resize them.