Obama Cabinet Picks

[JayHawk]

Interesting that a very pro Obama supporter once claimed that comparisons to Bush were a very very bad thing yet I see it being done repeatedly in the news between the way Bush and Obama have assembled their cabinets.

The decisions mean Obama has half of his Cabinet assembled less than a month after the election, including the most prominent positions at State, Justice, Treasury and Defense. The team so far shares deep experience and proven ability to get things done, and it shares some characteristics with President Bush's first Cabinet choices.
For secretary of state, both went with big names that campaigned against them in their primary race, with Obama choosing Clinton and Bush going with former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell. At HHS, both chose deeply experienced elected officials — Obama picking Daschle and Bush choosing Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson.
They also chose experienced Defense secretaries who had already served in the position — Gates for Obama and Donald Rumsfeld for Bush. And both put well-respected governors as their first picks as Homeland Security secretary — a position Bush created — with Obama picking Napolitano and Bush picking Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge.

Read it all at the AP link: Obama turns to friends, foes for White House posts

 

[opinterph]

For secretary of state, both went with big names that campaigned against them in their primary race, with Obama choosing Clinton and Bush going with former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell.

Colin Powell eventually supported McCain in the Republican Primary, but donated equal amounts to the campaigns of both John McCain and George W. Bush in early 1999. It is of possible interest that McCain allegedly promised the Secretary of State position to Mr. Powell even before the Primary contest was decided.

 

[NameTaken]

So choosing a staff with experience or a adding a political rival into your cabinet is now making Obama comparable to Bush? Adding rivals to your cabinet goes waaaaay back. This is probably one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.

If he didn't choose a staff with experience everybody would be whining because they felt we needed an experienced staff in this crisis. Now that he has chosen such a staff everybody is whining. If you have a legitimate point that makes sense I'm all for it. This shit is just stupid though.

 

[JayHawk]

Wow Jim Jones as NSA. Excellent pick. With experience in multiple levels of legislative support and in various leadership issues in the Marine Corp he will be very uniquely qualified to provide the right advice to the President that will be involved in two wars. Vietnam, Bosnia, Support of GWOT...very good chice indeed.

 

[Passion4Muzik]

The funny thing is, no matter WHO Obama picked, he'd be criticized. If he picked all Dems, he's too partisan, he mixed it up so he's....I dunno.....apparently Bush part 2, though the same people making that argument denied that John "90%" Mccain was Bush-like.

I think we should ignore these silly criticisms and just be happy that Obama won and in position.

 

[Lostlover]

Arrrgh. Didn't want his as Secretary of State. Oh well.

I'm wondering what all the Hillary supporters think about Obama putting all these women in high positions?

They were really backing Hillary for some of the same reason's as most pissed off middle aged women-to strike back at men.

 

[JayHawk]

I am truly happy for many of his picks yet all I get is derision and mocking from so many in his camp. Such a weird thing.

I learned from my Mother that many are not happy unless they have something to bitch about. i should apply that knowledge here.

 

[JayHawk]

Speaking of those that find nothing to do but complain. Feel free to address the topic which is Obama's cabinet picks and not the other posters. i believe you can find the rules here.

 

[Spazer181]

Okay, let's be honest - Obama didn't only go for smart people in the cabinet, he is going to post Bill Richardson (dumbest man to run for the Democratic nomination in '08?) to be Secretary of Commerce. I think I would feel more comfortable with Eugene V. Debs rising from the grave and becoming Secretary of Commerce...

I must say, however, the rest of the picks have made good sense...