Change so far ?????

[justplugit]

Hillary, Emanuel, Rubin, Holden even Gore??? Same old same old.

[BigFish]

You folks are soft if you think things are really going to change?! The faces may change but the %$%$%$%$ remains the same!

[spence]

Would you rather he appoint a bunch of inexperienced people?

I'm waiting for the policy, then we'll know what we're dealing with. The guy hasn't even been sworn in yet!

-spence

[FishermanTim]

Maybe just as "experienced" as he was?

[spence]

Originally Posted by FishermanTim

Maybe just as "experienced" as he was?

I'm not sure there's any real relationship between "experience" and a good US President, at least not that I've seen. That being said I do feel that Obama has the skills, brain and mindset to be a good leader.

-spence

[Fishpart]

He is surrounding himself with experienced and skilled people. I don't like some of their history, but he demonstrates the vision to put skilled people in the right jobs.

[Raven]

is only as good as his resources are.... and how he chooses to use them ....

i like the idea that Obama wants to have a laptop in his oval office. He will be the first president to do so.

[Joe]

I don't know about you, but I could go for some same old peace and prosperity.

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by spence

I'm not sure there's any real relationship between "experience" and a good US President, at least not that I've seen. That being said I do feel that Obama has the skills, brain and mindset to be a good leader.

-spence

So what you're saying Spence, is that experience is not neccessary for the office of President? I just want to understand, because up above, you reasoned that the people Obama chose for his cabinet are good choices because they are "experienced".

[spence]

Originally Posted by fishbones

So what you're saying Spence, is that experience is not neccessary for the office of President? I just want to understand, because up above, you reasoned that the people Obama chose for his cabinet are good choices because they are "experienced".

Experience is pretty generic and without context is somewhat meaningless. I would certainly want to surround myself with subject matter experts that were experienced in their particular field.

That's not to say that there's some universal "experieced" that a US President needs to possess to be a success. People often point to executive experience, and that is of value, but perhaps also over rated.

Ultimately, I'd wager that your average citizen would like "experience" to really just mean honesty, integrity, strength and a little common sense. I don't think there's any real "experience" that can prepare one for the role, you don't know until you're there.

-spence

[fishbones]

I was just busting your chops Spence. I agree that it's hard to really quantify "experience" as it relates to being able to run a country. I would rather have a President who surrounds himself (or herself) with bright people and who listens to them.

In this day and age, asking for honesty, integrity and common sense might be a bit much for many politicians. But, a President with common sense and who just "does what's right" would go a long way in making me more comfortable.

Check out General Norman Swartkopf's Eleven Commandments for Leaders. Every President should keep it posted in the Oval Office and pay special attention to #'s 4 & 11.

http://www.livingbetter.org/thought/swartzkopf.html

[RIJIMMY]

These threads take on a life of their own. I think the initial point was that Obama ran on a pledge of change, not politics "business as usual".
If he is staffing with the same people who have been in power for the years, doesnt look like change. I know, I know, big bad Ole Bush was ruining everything while these stood aside helpless. But your telling me there are no smart, qualified people out there other than Clinton's old team?

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by spence

Ultimately, I'd wager that your average citizen would like "experience" to really just mean honesty, integrity, strength and a little common sense.
-spence

and that just screams Hillary Clinton to me!

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

and that just screams Hillary Clinton to me!

Honesty, common sense?

Uh, Hillary?

[Bronko]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

These threads take on a life of their own. I think the initial point was that Obama ran on a pledge of change, not politics "business as usual".
If he is staffing with the same people who have been in power for the years, doesnt look like change. I know, I know, big bad Ole Bush was ruining everything while these stood aside helpless. But your telling me there are no smart, qualified people out there other than Clinton's old team?

Just sit back and enjoy Jimmy, this is going to be fun. Although I was actually floored when these same old names came up immediately. I figured he would at least throw a few new "grass roots" names in the mix to fill positions within the cabinet to illustrate even the slightest bit of change. Bright young leaders with a new outlook??? But sure enough, Emmanuel ...Kerry ...Clinton ...Gore.... it is incredible. Jay Severin said the other day that 38 of 50 members on his transition team were in the Clinton administration.

Now I recognize its early, but at first blush Hope and Change now equal status quo.


*correction* he will be using a laptop (that is a change)

[Nebe]

I haver to say that I am surprised by the Clinton baggage being brought on board... this isnt change, this is a re-run.

I will say however that Im with Spence. Lets see what he does, or should I say.. lets see what they have him do.

[Swimmer]

Obama's first attempt at appointments has brought Marc Rich back into the administration from his 17 count indictment/pardon, during the Clinton era, real good start.

[The Dad Fisherman]

What has he been appointed too...i can't find anything related to that on the internet.

[PaulS]

Maybe he should recycle rumsfield and cheney again. We know how good that turned out the first time.

[Bronko]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

What has he been appointed too...i can't find anything related to that on the internet.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...112000887.html

It actually brought his name back into play due to Holders ties to the pardon.

[The Dad Fisherman]

OK, Swimmers post made it seemed like he was appointed to something....I couldn't find anything regarding that when I did a search. Found plenty on what he did and the pardon and such....just couldn't find anything that fit that post.

[PaulS]

The clown who wrote that article loose all credibility with the statement "As we observed throughout the campaign, Barack Obama gave indications that his election would mean a return to the September 10 mentality, a national-security outlook marked prominently by its lack of seriousness about the terrorist threat. In choosing Eric Holder to be his attorney general, President-Elect Obama has taken a step toward confirming those misgivings"

It amazing, there's more complaining about Obama here since he got elected than in the last 8 years of a president who is going down as the one with the lowest approval rating in HISTORY.

[EarnedStripes44]

Holder might be the guy to take the heat for prosecuting Bush. He believes that the post of attorney general is a "special" cabinet position where one is first subordinate to the people of the U.S., and then the president. A lot of people aint diggin' Bush. He also believes there should be distance between the AG and the President.

With that being said, I think he will pursue some sort of criminal proceedings against some of the people who orchestrated the war on terror/Iraq war and he will do, at face value, on his own perogative. I think Obama is putting the pieces in place for future indictments against current administration officials.

I don't think, considering Holders prosecutorial background, this is beyond the realm reasonable speculation. Nothing like black prosecutor locking folks up.

"Our needlessly abusive and unlawful (emphasis added)practices in the ‘War on Terror' have diminished our standing in the world community and made us less, rather than more, safe,"
-Eric Holder

[spence]

I thought Holder was pretty well respected?

Considering the mess he's inheriting, had he gone the other way Obama would be blasted for appointing outsiders who didn't know Washington in a time of crisis

-spence

[Swimmer]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

What has he been appointed too...i can't find anything related to that on the internet.

Dad, he was the guy pardon by the current top contender for attonrey general under Clinton. He had been a wanted man for years. He came back into the country after the right palms had been grease and he received a full pardon. And the DNC received huge donations.................. and I wouldn't be surpised to see Richs' name pop up on the Clinton library benefactors list.

[Joe]

Marc Rich an administration appointee?
He must have saved the dress - I hate it when that happens. What kind of person saves a soiled dress?