So he has picked Rahm as Chief of Staff, but Rahm hasn't accepted? What's the hold up there? Did Obama offer it before he knew he'd accept it?

Lots of speculation about Treasury secretary, Volker, Larry Summers.

Heard on NPR just now that John Kerry is in the running for Secretary of State.

I'm almost positive Chuck Hagel will be put in there somewhere, Secretary of Defense maybe?

Post wild speculations here!

I have mixed feelings on Emanuel. I like him, personally, but I wonder how his bulldog style lends itself to the message.

The only thing that stands out to me as terrible is Kerry for secstate. Yuck. I thought someone had put him in a room somewhere and locked the door?

I'd just like to make clear for the next Lanys Punditocracy that Chuck Hagel will hold no position in the Obama administration.

Guy is a nutjob anyway.

Several Early Choices for New Administration Have Clinton Pedigree
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/us/po ... ref=slogin

I think this is test one for Obama. I and others I know are looking for reasons to believe he meant what he said during the campaign about changing the partisan nature of Washington. The people he chooses will tell alot of the story: will he indeed reach across the aisle? how partisan will his Democratic picks be? how experienced will the people he surrounds himself be? Hagel imo doesn't count as reaching across the aisle. Lugar would be a good pick. Kerry? Well if George Shultz could pull it off successfully then I guess Kerry can.

I have a feeling Kerry himself is the one putting the Kerry name out there as a possibility, at least I'm hoping that. I've voted for him several times, but this would not be a good fit at all for him.

Any chance we see Powell re-surface in the Obama administration?

His "respect factor" took a hit with Bush but many feel he made amends with his positions/statements after he left.

His "experience factor" is hard to argue.

His "political affiliation factor" shows Obama has the ability to reach across the isle (without being a very risky choice).

His support, which was sought by both candidates, of Obama pre-election probably didn't win him the race but it certainly didn't hurt either. The timing of his announcement helped crush any chance McCain had at a resurgance.

Does Powell want a 2nd chance to do things right?


~Braken

I submit to you, exhibit A:

Bi-partisan is just a term used to blame the other side for not agreeing with you.

"The republicans aren't being bi-partisan because they don't agree with us"!

I want my agenda to be passed. I want the OTHER side to be bi-partisan.

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I'm hoping there will be some Republcian appointees in the Administration. However, I would really like the Sec of Defense to be a Democrat. Democratic Presidents post-FDR have a bad habit of appointing Republican SoDs and it just further solidifies the perception of Democrats being weak on military issues.

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Hope is the new black.

Powell's an interesting choice that I hadn't thought of. Like you said, he has a ton of respect and would be very capable in the administration.

I think Chuck Hagel *is* a maverick in his own party and a man of conscience. Personally I admire the stands he's taken and think he would be a good choice. He's an anti-neocon republican, which I think after the last 8 years, might be the new face of the right side of the fence.

Another consideration would be Kathleen Sebelius. She's a rising star in politics and she would likely be a strong choice.

I could also see Bill Richardson of New Mexico tapped for a cabinet position. He served on Bill Clinton's cabinet, and came through as a strong supporter of Obama during this campaign. It would also help to include the latino point of view on the cabinet.

I *believe* Hillary will be passed over to remain a strong ally in the Senate. And I think that's what she prefers.

I don't think it will happen, but I'd really like to see Clinton replace Reid as Senate Majority Leader. Reid's just too obsequious.

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Hope is the new black.

I think Hagel needs to be left in a place where he can reshape the Republican party. Pulling him into an Obama administration would discredit him for that purpose. I can't believe Powell's wife would welcome a return to Washington so I doubt that will happen.

I agree Bearne. I'd also love to see a real challenge to Pelosi's leadership in the House, a successful one that comes from the newer, more moderate group within the Democratic caucus.

If Obama picked Powell, his credibility is gone. Seriously, I can't believe some of you are advocating for it. Not only does he not DESERVE another cabinet position, he wasn't any good in his last one.

Beh be fair. He wasn't competent at it because at every turn Rumsfield, Rice & Cheney pulled the rug out from under him.

Great idea, Kula. Let's give the C player another opportunity.

Hopefully we won't have any more big meanies to bully him this time.

Great personality trait in the SECRETARY OF STATE.

Fuck.

Good point, Jox. I wonder though how many cabinet members that we view as successful were only successful because they had the full backing of the President?

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs?

Kula, I get it. Maybe he's not a bad person. Maybe he's not an idiot. I'm fine giving the guy the benefit of the doubt. I'm NOT ok with giving him another opportunity. Especially with the soaring rhetoric about changing Washington.

For the record I wasn't advocating Powell for any job, I was merely throwing his name out there as someone who hadn't been discussed yet. That said, I don't think Powell got a good chance to prove what he could really do. I am of the belief that he and Bush did not agree on many things but his military career got the best of him and he followed the directions being given... unfortunately. I am a Powell fan but whether or not he has blown his political clout is the issue.

To throw out another name to stir up Joxur's ire, I'd like to see Dick Lugar in the cabinet. He had already said he will not run for Senate again but will he leave his last term early for a cabinet position?

I think Lugar ruled himself out of any position in the administration.

Someone get Bill Clinton a position in the White House. I mean Kerry? Get with it people. He's too depressing plus he never directly answers anything. Kerry is the king of side-stepping issues.

Rahm-bo is a tough situation. They say he's mellowed plus he's a Clinton man but, also has an unstable reputation. This flys off the handle and does some wierd reactionary stuff.

Powell, I don't put much blame on him. I think he was cornered by a Republican/Bush mofia. I think he broke down, did what he had to do, and walked away. I don't think he necessarily needs to be back in anything. Regardless of his reasons for the past, they do not work in his favor.

I would like to see Obama make some smart, strategic decisions in who he surrounds himself. This will really help the initial confidence of the American people. I believe he is going to have some skeptics in this no matter what he does but, I hope he does what is ultimately best for America.

I'd love to see Bill Clinton in the U.N.

He should pick Brezkinski for Sec of State or Defense just to irk the Russians.

A Kennedy is going to head the EPA I've heard.

More I think he'll pick, and I hope he'll pick posts por favor.

I understand those who are upset with Powell for going along with the administration and the war. I'm persuaded by the argument that his military like loyalty to the chain of command could explain things.

I really wouldn't mind Obama giving Powell another crack at Secretary of State. I'm tempted to say I like Sen. Webb back at the Pentagon, but he's probably more valuable staying the Senator from Virginia.

Cory Booker, Newark mayor (see Street Fight) has been an Obama supporter, and is a politician I very much like. Would be very happy to see him get elevated to the national stage in the Obama administration. No idea what would be a good fit for him though.

Readers around here know I'm a fan of Gov. Sebelius of Kansas. She's term limited here and I'd like to see her get in there somewhere.

I'd be ok with Richardson, who I think is the best of the three choices being thrown about as his "short list".

Powell should NOT be picked, and I hope he's not.

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He shouldn't put Bill Clinton in a white house position, It will make him look weak to have a former president there.

The more he can stay away from the old guard, the better. The old cocksuckers are finally dying off. We need to get people used to a new generation of leaders.

Is Gore in the running for anything? Just curious with all the talk about him possibly running this time last year.

He's got that manbearpig gig fulltime.

Obama's transition committee setup a new website, www.change.gov.

There is a Jobs section there. This isn't for standard goverment jobs, but rather where people can apply to his cabinet/administration.

I'm predicting this will backfire....

I'm gonna apply for Secretary of State.

I pity whoever has to sort through all the junk that they're going to get from that form.

that is a simple sort.

All submission through that form get sent to /dev/null

lol

Well, and if you do, you're provoking the government. All they have to do is look up the IP that was logged on the entry, then you get a nice little visit from the guys from DHS or the FBI.

Granted, that works for 90% of the dingalings that will attempt to be funny with that form. The other 10% are probably state-sponsored Chinese haxxorz using proxies.

I welcome the scrutiny in my quest to become Secretary of State.

I will be profoundly disappointed if Kerry gets any cabinet position, especially since Obama was running on a platform of change, and that's the biggest reason I voted for him. I don't want the same Washington we've had for the past few decades. I want him to shake things up. Shaking things up would not be electing a cabinet that would be Bill Clinton 3.0

Here's to hoping he brings in moderates from both parties, and not just the left-wingers waiting to cash in on their party loyalty along with a few token Republicans.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp ... 7#27576527

Fucking asshole racists.

Can't even spell McCain.

What's fucking awesome is the volunteers coming out to repaint his house.

Powell is a failure.

Why would anyone consider him for any position in the cabinet other than cup-holder?

Local news here reports Kerry is not interested in any position, he plans on finishing his new senate term.

I expect Kerry to change his position any time now.

lol

I lol'd.

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lol.

And wow at what happened to Obama's house/car. I guess it's to be expected, we're always going to have lunatics out there.

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Avelle <Risen>
80 Mage
Ner'zhul Server (Fuck Illidan)
Avelle 75 PLD/DRG/DRK/BRD
Midgardsormr - Active again
Elidrin 75 Paladin
Midgardsormr - Retired
Elidrin 65 Ranger
Lanys T'Vyl - Retired

It was an Obama supporter's house and the guy made an important point. Two or three people at most did that shit to his house...300-400 people showed up in support. He'll take those odds any day. So will I.

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Heh

I don't think all of us combined could make it to within arms reach of Obama's house without getting taken out.

Bill Clinton would make a fucking awesome press secretary.

Unfortunately, putting Clinton anywhere in Obama's cabinet would just serve to reinforce how much better Bill is than Obama. heh.

Oh, I had my headset off and didn't listen to the video.

_________________
Avelle <Risen>
80 Mage
Ner'zhul Server (Fuck Illidan)
Avelle 75 PLD/DRG/DRK/BRD
Midgardsormr - Active again
Elidrin 75 Paladin
Midgardsormr - Retired
Elidrin 65 Ranger
Lanys T'Vyl - Retired

I don't think Obama is gunna be getting head in the oval office and jamming cigars up slightly-chubby unattractive female vaginas in the white house. Let alone a fat white girl. Though that stereotype does play true, the MUD SHARK!

I can't understand how you have judged Obama when he hasn't even began his Presidency yet. Like I said, and will say again, Obama will be a 2 term Prez. and generally regarded as one of the best Presidents in the 21st century.

Did anyone catch Obama's press conference? I've never heard so many Uh's from a national public speaking figure.

Hah, what an asshole. His first presser and he makes fun of a widow recovering from hip surgery.

It was a gaffe. But it's a little bit open to interpretation(to a degree). Think of it if a true friend of Ronald/Nancy Reagan had said it. Suggesting that you didn't want to do any seances in that case could be said to be a term of endearment. Sort of like if you said "Well I would ask my grandfather for advice, but he's long gone" - if a person OUTSIDE the family had said that, it could be intrepreted as hostile, as if you're glad he's dead. Yet acceptable within the family because everyone knows your position.

And in this case, Obama has on many occasions spoken highly of Reagan. To the point where Hillary decided to call him out on it. There shouldn't be any question that, at the very least, it's not meant to be as mean-spirited as whichever Fox News pundit gave Joxur their take on it.

Welcome to the next 4 years. We'll enter that ridiculous stretch as formal asterisk #1.

Hahaha!

I am sooooooo ready for him to be sworn in. Bush has done way worse things lol.

Fuck Reagan anyhow. Nancy and Ronald.