Obama starts to assemble staff

[MTK]

Obama moves quickly to pick staff leader

Emanuel expected to bring 'tough-minded' approach to White House - CNN.com

[SmootSmack]

Emmanuel is an interesting choice (little known fact: his brother is the basis of the character Ari Gold on HBO's Entourage). He's never really struck me as someone looking to "bridge the gap" between Democrats and Republicans, but from what I understand he gets things done.

Meanwhile, they're talking about RFK Jr. as the new head of the EPA, which is another move that doesn't really reflect a move toward the center. And I believe Larry Summers (from the Clinton administration) is being mentioned as a Treasury Secretary, and possibly Chuck Hagel for Defense.

It's always interesting to me who is selected for Cabinet positions, and it's often disappointing to me. Mainly because some of the same people seem to rotate so often. I understand the need to have people who are in the know but it gets a bit ridiculous at times. I always thought Eisenhower had one of the more interesting cabinets. I mean could anyone imagine the CEO of General Motors (or any major company) being named Secretary of Defense now?

I am curious to find out who Obama names his Chief Technology Officer.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Emmanuel is an interesting choice (little known fact: his brother is the basis of the character Ari Gold on HBO's Entourage). He's never really struck me as someone looking to "bridge the gap" between Democrats and Republicans, but from what I understand he gets things done.

Meanwhile, they're talking about RFK Jr. as the new head of the EPA, which is another move that doesn't really reflect a move toward the center. And I believe Larry Summers (from the Clinton administration) is being mentioned as a Treasury Secretary, and possibly Chuck Hagel for Defense.

It's always interesting to me who is selected for Cabinet positions, and it's often disappointing to me. Mainly because some of the same people seem to rotate so often. I understand the need to have people who are in the know but it gets a bit ridiculous at times. I always thought Eisenhower had one of the more interesting cabinets. I mean could anyone imagine the CEO of General Motors (or any major company) being named Secretary of Defense now?

I am curious to find out who Obama names his Chief Technology Officer.

Why not the man who invented the internet?

[MTK]

I heard Colin Powell's name being floated around for a possible staff position.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I heard Colin Powell's name being floated around for a possible staff position.

That would be a wise move.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Emmanuel is an interesting choice (little known fact: his brother is the basis of the character Ari Gold on HBO's Entourage). He's never really struck me as someone looking to "bridge the gap" between Democrats and Republicans, but from what I understand he gets things done.

Meanwhile, they're talking about RFK Jr. as the new head of the EPA, which is another move that doesn't really reflect a move toward the center. And I believe Larry Summers (from the Clinton administration) is being mentioned as a Treasury Secretary, and possibly Chuck Hagel for Defense.

It's always interesting to me who is selected for Cabinet positions, and it's often disappointing to me. Mainly because some of the same people seem to rotate so often. I understand the need to have people who are in the know but it gets a bit ridiculous at times. I always thought Eisenhower had one of the more interesting cabinets. I mean could anyone imagine the CEO of General Motors (or any major company) being named Secretary of Defense now?

I am curious to find out who Obama names his Chief Technology Officer.

RFK Jr for the EPA? You mean Mr Green as long as its not in my back yard?
RFK Jr. and other prominent enviros face off over Cape Cod wind farm | By Amanda Griscom Little | Grist | Muckraker | 12 Jan 2006

[BleedBurgundy]

how about McCain for secdef? that would be about as conciliatory as it gets.

[SmootSmack]

He's named Gibbs as press secretary

(let's see how many people dare click on that link...<<insert evil laugh>>)

[SmootSmack]

Seriously though, link is legit.

McCain or Hagel would both be solid SecDef choices...or Petitbon

[saden1]

John "100 Years in Iraq" McCain in charge of defense? I don't think he would enjoy taking orders to withdraw the troops. McCain 2000, maybe, McCain 2008, no.

[steveo395]

Originally Posted by redsk1

That would be a wise move.

hahaha... Thats the change we need right there.

[EternalEnigma21]

Colin Powell would be a great move. He was ousted for standing up against the Iraq war. He is a leader and a smart strong good man. He would be a great down the middle leader. I hope he does get a position somewhere.

Some great (yet fairly common) wiki info:

View of the U.S. war in Iraq

In an interview in July 2007, Powell revealed that he had spent two and a half hours trying to persuade George W. Bush not to invade Iraq but that he did not prevail. At the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado[46] Powell stated, "I tried to avoid this war. I took him [Bush] through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers."[47]

Powell went on to say that he believed Iraq was in a state of civil war. "The civil war will ultimately be resolved by a test of arms. It's not going to be pretty to watch, but I don't know any way to avoid it. It is happening now." He further noted, "It is not a civil war that can be put down or solved by the armed forces of the United States," and suggested that all the U.S. military could do was put "a heavier lid on this pot of boiling sectarian stew."[48]

[edit] Role in presidential election of 2008

Powell donated the maximum amount to John McCain's campaign in the summer of 2007 [49] and in early 2008, his name was listed as a possible running mate for Republican nominee McCain's bid during the 2008 U.S. presidential election.[50] However, on October 19, 2008, Powell announced his endorsement of Barack Obama during a Meet the Press interview, citing "his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities," in addition to his "style and substance." He additionally referred to Obama as a "transformational figure."[51][52] Powell further questioned Senator John McCain's judgment in appointing Sarah Palin as the vice presidential candidate, stating that despite the fact that she is admired, "now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president." He pointed out how he thought Barack Obama's choice for vice-president, Joe Biden was ready to be president. He also added that he was "troubled" by the "false intimations that Obama was Muslim." Powell stated that "[Obama] is a Christian — he's always been a Christian...," and continued, "But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America." Powell then referenced Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, a Muslim American soldier in the U.S. Army who served and died in the Iraq War. He later stated, "Over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party has become narrower and narrower [...] I look at these kind of approaches to the campaign, and they trouble me." [51][52]

[The Goat]

Little doubt in my mind Obama focuses almost all his attention on Treasury and the economic team, state dept, and defense dept (in that order). Won't be surprised to see Larry Summers, Gene Sperling, Robert Reich and possibly for a short stint Bob Rubin back in power again. People often think Clinton was an economic guru; bologna, it was his econ team. Also won't be surprised if Paul Krugman gets a high profile position. Buffet would be fascinating and would probably indicate plans to reform the tax code more aggressively (who better to sell a return to fairness, where the very rich pay enough to give the middle class some real relief, than the icon of American wealth).

But IMO state will be the most interesting choice (almost as big a challenge as Treasury because it's so hard to tell what Bush has fucked up more - the economy or our foreign policy). Bet it's Clinton but there are at least a few good choices. Hagel for DOD would be a great fucking move. I heard John Kerry is lobbying for State - hope to hell Obama isn't taking a serious look.

[firstdown]

In an interview in July 2007, Powell revealed that he had spent two and a half hours trying to persuade George W. Bush not to invade Iraq but that he did not prevail. At the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado[46] Powell stated, "I tried to avoid this war. I took him [Bush] through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers."[47]

Powell went on to say that he believed Iraq was in a state of civil war. "The civil war will ultimately be resolved by a test of arms. It's not going to be pretty to watch, but I don't know any way to avoid it. It is happening now." He further noted, "It is not a civil war that can be put down or solved by the armed forces of the United States," and suggested that all the U.S. military could do was put "a heavier lid on this pot of boiling sectarian stew."[48]


Well if this is true about Powell then my opinion of him has dropped a bunch. Why did he stand infront of the UN making a case for war if he did not believe that it was a good idea? This means that while believing one thing he did another. He could have stepped down and then made his case public why he did not believe in the war. Maybe its now that war is not popular that he is saying this stuff but either way he has compromised his believes.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by firstdown

In an interview in July 2007, Powell revealed that he had spent two and a half hours trying to persuade George W. Bush not to invade Iraq but that he did not prevail. At the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado[46] Powell stated, "I tried to avoid this war. I took him [Bush] through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers."[47]

Powell went on to say that he believed Iraq was in a state of civil war. "The civil war will ultimately be resolved by a test of arms. It's not going to be pretty to watch, but I don't know any way to avoid it. It is happening now." He further noted, "It is not a civil war that can be put down or solved by the armed forces of the United States," and suggested that all the U.S. military could do was put "a heavier lid on this pot of boiling sectarian stew."[48]


Well if this is true about Powell then my opinion of him has dropped a bunch. Why did he stand infront of the UN making a case for war if he did not believe that it was a good idea? This means that while believing one thing he did another. He could have stepped down and then made his case public why he did not believe in the war. Maybe its now that war is not popular that he is saying this stuff but either way he has compromised his believes.

Probably because he's a military man. Think about it, you never air your disagreements/doubts with your commanders in public. He made his case behind closed doors but was told what course of action we would be taking. At that point, his duty dictated that he follow orders. I have more respect for him, knowing this now.