Obama's Cabinet and Staff

[lostfan]

Must be an echo in here.

 

Heh, yeah, that was more of a reply to Alpha Dog's post using the same logic. If Obama successfully does 2 terms and has Reagan or even Clinton-like popularity at the end (not out of the question) then those are some hefty coattails to hang onto, you have him campaigning for you and so on and it's almost like running as an incumbent or a VP. If not, well yeah, that about torpedoes any chance of her ever running again.

[Chet Lemon]

I would like to see Tom Kean become Sec. of Homeland Security; no idea if he is interested though.

[kapkomet]

Heh, yeah, that was more of a reply to Alpha Dog's post using the same logic. If Obama successfully does 2 terms and has Reagan or even Clinton-like popularity at the end (not out of the question) then those are some hefty coattails to hang onto, you have him campaigning for you and so on and it's almost like running as an incumbent or a VP. If not, well yeah, that about torpedoes any chance of her ever running again.

Not going to happen. The country won't elect a 72 year old... duh.

 

[lostfan]

Not going to happen. The country won't elect a 72 year old... duh.

She'll be in her late 60s.

[bmags]

women live longer.

[Balta1701]

Here's a blog-comment looking at a lesser-noticed piece of the growing Obama administration.

One of the themes I've been trying to push lately is that the success of Obama's presidency is dependent on his ability to navigate an increasingly dysfunctional Congress, and that the ability to pass bills through the institution requires pretty fair knowledge of how it works and pretty good relationships with the key players. Clinton didn't have that. He entered office and showed very little respect for congressional expertise, surrounding himself with trusted associates from Arkansas and young hotshots from his campaign. Obama is not making the same mistake. He's surrounded himself with Gephardt and Daschle advisers, elevated Rahm Emanuel to chief of staff, and just named Phil Schiliro to be the administration's point person on legislative affairs. Schirilo was previously Henry Waxman's chief of staff, and as Marc Ambinder says, was "known as one of the savviest, smartest chiefs of staffs in DC." He also served as policy director to Tom Daschle, which only furthers the odd rebirth of the Daschle team within the Obama administration.

[kapkomet]

'Cause Tom Daschle was sooooooo partisan.

[Balta1701]

'Cause Tom Daschle was sooooooo partisan.

I'm not interested in the partisanship aspect. I think the interesting aspect of his choices so far is that he's building a team that knows how to work with Congress and pass legislation, whether or not they were the most effective partisan warriors.

[BigSqwert]

Anyone have any guesses as to what Obama and McCain are talking about right now? Any chance McCain has a formal role in the Obama administration?

[Texsox]

I'm not interested in the partisanship aspect. I think the interesting aspect of his choices so far is that he's building a team that knows how to work with Congress and pass legislation, whether or not they were the most effective partisan warriors.

 

That sounds like an oxymoron.

[HuskyCaucasian]

Anyone have any guesses as to what Obama and McCain are talking about right now? Any chance McCain has a formal role in the Obama administration?

I have a theory it's a preliminary meeting to see if McCain would want to serve in Obama's cabinet, but it's disguised as a meeting of rivals (especially since there will be other people in the meeting).

 

The "official" idea being pushed by the press is that they are meeting to see if they have some areas in common where they can work in tandem. Such as energy independence, how to make a more efective and efficient government, and one other that is slipping my mind.

Edited November 17, 2008 by Athomeboy_2000

[BigSqwert]

I have a theory it's a preliminary meeting to see if McCain would want to serve in Obama's cabinet, but it's disguised as a meeting of rivals (especially since there will be other people in the meeting).

 

The "official" idea being pushed by the press is that they are meeting to see if they have some areas in common where they can work in tandem. Such as energy independence, some form of health care reform, and one other that is slipping my mind.

 

What is your theory based on? Your own speculation or did you read something more credible elsewhere?

[HuskyCaucasian]

What is your theory based on? Your own speculation or did you read something more credible elsewhere?

Just my own theory. Especially since he's a big fan of the "team of rivals".

 

Just connecting the dots. it's rather rare for opponents to meet like this so soon after an election.

[HuskyCaucasian]

Just my own theory. Especially since he's a big fan of the "team of rivals".

 

Just connecting the dots. it's rather rare for opponents to meet like this so soon after an election.

Well, we know for sure they will be working on energy independence together:

At this defining moment in history, we believe that Americans of all parties want and need their leaders to come together and change the bad habits of Washington so that we can solve the common and urgent challenges of our time.

 

It is in this spirit that we had a productive conversation today about the need to launch a new era of reform where we take on government waste and bitter partisanship in Washington in order to restore trust in government, and bring back prosperity and opportunity for every hardworking American family. We hope to work together in the days and months ahead on critical challenges like solving our financial crisis, creating a new energy economy, and protecting our nation’s security.

[Balta1701]

I have a theory it's a preliminary meeting to see if McCain would want to serve in Obama's cabinet, but it's disguised as a meeting of rivals (especially since there will be other people in the meeting).

What are Arizona's rules regarding replacing a Senator who leaves for another job/special election?

 

That seat could well be the difference between 59 and 60.

[bmags]

What are Arizona's rules regarding replacing a Senator who leaves for another job/special election?

 

That seat could well be the difference between 59 and 60.

 

requires to pick a senator of the same party.

[Cknolls]

http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/powerin...ey-general.aspx

[HuskyCaucasian]

http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/powerin...ey-general.aspx

Holder, who served as deputy attorney general during the Clinton administration, still has to undergo a formal vetting review by the Obama transition team before the selection is final and is publicly announced, said one of the sources, who asked not to be identified talking about the transition process. But in the discussions over the past few days, Obama offered Holder the job and he accepted, the source said. The announcement is not likely until after Obama announces his choices to lead the Treasury and the State Department.

 

That's a solid choice.

[kapkomet]

CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE...

 

what are we up to, 80% old Clinton retreads now on his 50 or so appointments?

 

[NorthSideSox72]

CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE...

 

what are we up to, 80% old Clinton retreads now on his 50 or so appointments?

We're up to zero, as far as I know. 2 rumored.

 

[bmags]

CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE...

 

what are we up to, 80% old Clinton retreads now on his 50 or so appointments?

 

do you know the difference between transitional team and cabinet?

[kapkomet]

do you know the difference between transitional team and cabinet?

Yes, but he's got all the retreads working for him. That tells you all about the change.

 

[lostfan]

You really expect him to sweep into Washington with a bunch of n00bs and take everything over? That's what Clinton and Carter did.

[bmags]

It doesn't mean anything except he isn't a blind idiot. You know who made a lot of mistakes in his 92 transition team? Clinton. Part of that is he had no one to turn to for previous advice cause the last person to turn to would be Carter who also made mistakes.

[NorthSideSox72]

Yes, but he's got all the retreads working for him. That tells you all about the change.

He might. Or, he may be doing the smart thing here - transitional team full of people EXPERIENCED at transitioning into the Presidency. And since he clearly won't be likely to choose Bushies for that job, what does that leave him? Clintonites.

 

Let's wait and see what the cabinet and clolse circle look like. I think you'll see majority, but not wholly, Dems. You'll also see a variety of backgrounds and political locations, as well as SOME former Clintonites, SOME current Bush folks, and SOME other experience sets.