Election Central Sunday Roundup
Obama To Roll Out National Security Team Tomorrow
Barack Obama will be announcing his national security team at a press conference in Chicago tomorrow, scheduled for 10:40 a.m. ET. The most anticipated name on the list will be Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, with Obama also expected to announce Eric Holder for Attorney General, Susan Rice for Ambassador to the United Nations, and Janet Napolitano for Secretary of Homeland Security, retired Gen. James Jones for National Security Adviser, and current Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to be kept on in his role.
Obama To Appear On Meet The Press
NBC News has announced that Barack Obama will appear next week on Meet The Press. The interview with Tom Brokaw will be Obama's first appearance on the show since July, and thus his first interview on the program since he became president-elect.
Lugar: "There Will Be Questions Raised" About Bill, But I Would Confirm Hillary
Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) said today on ABC's This Week that he would vote to confirm Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State based on all the information available right now, but there are still lingering issues surrounding Bill Clinton's outside work: "I suspect, however, that I'm not alone in suggesting there will be questions raised and will probably be legitimate."
WaPo: Obama Reaching Out To Military
The Washington Post reports on Barack Obama's efforts to reach out to the military leadership, focusing on his recent meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mike Mullen. A Mullen spokesman told the Post that Mullen "felt very good, very positive" after the meetings, and military sources said there is optimism about Obama approaching defense policy from a more realistic stance than the Bush Administration did.
New York Officials Who Backed Obama Early Get New Clout
The New York Times reports that local New York officials who supported Barack Obama early on -- at a time when the rest of the state party was lining up behind favorite daughter Hillary Clinton -- have found themselves becoming key contacts for people looking for jobs or funding of projects by the new administration. "They're calling me Obama's guy on Long Island," said Suffolk County legislator Jon Cooper, who chaired Obama's Long Island primary campaign.
WaPo: Dems Gaining Upper Hand In Virginia
The Washington Post has an analysis of the demographic and partisan shifts in Virginia, pointing to a possible realignment of the state in the wake of Barack Obama's six-point win here. A key statistic: Obama's margins in Northern Virginia alone would have won the state for him even if he had not improved at all on John Kerry's showing in the rest of the state -- and he did that, too.
Lugar: "There Will Be Questions Raised" About Bill, But I Would Confirm Hillary"
Will we have Clintons versus Republicans Episode 29? That would be fantastic. LOL.
November 30, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
With all the economic and political chaos in the world right now, we don't have time for Episode 29. People know this. So any Republican congressmen who do so may find themselves publicly thrashed.
November 30, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was just kidding. Hillary post-democratic primary is a very different persona- She's fire now.
November 30, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Eric Holder will be the appointment the GOP goes after and tries to bring down.
November 30, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nah, I don't think that they try to bring anyone down in this environment. Also, I am sure that the obama team reached out to enough republicans to make sure that they were on board with the nominations.
November 30, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not gonna happen. Holder was part of an AG office that did some things some people didn't like. But he is extremely qualified and respected. If Republicans even try to start crap, four words will shut them up: Alberto Gonzales and Monica Goodling.
November 30, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
four other words; Chiquita Banana Marc Rich.
Democrats should shoot this guy down.
Check out some of emptywheel's posts on Holder. You may change your mind.
November 30, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Get a life. I know Holder's record and I'm fine with it.
November 30, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now, this is change that we can believe in:
"and military sources said there is optimism about Obama approaching defense policy from a more realistic stance than the Bush Administration did."
I am sure that gates is on board as well. Finally, some realism and support for our military men and women, after 8 years of nonsense, with the last two putting a modicum of a brake on the lunatics running the asylum.
November 30, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fill in the blank!
Reality. What a concept!
November 30, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another one, wow. The capital of the confederacy is turning royal blue. Wow, is that amazing or what. And to think that webb led the wave. Awesome!
November 30, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
The government is being handed to the Fed. Geithner, Volker, and Summers are from the Fed and Hillary is supported by the Rothchilds who are major stockholders. The last time we got swept off of our feet, we entered into an illegal war and transferred a trillion dollars of taxpayer wealth to the military industrial complex. Now we are in the process of transferring trillions more to the Fed and the Fed associated banks with the bank bailout. Hillary may have traveled the world at taxpayer expense, but she has no foreign policy experience. Instead of being swept off of our feet by Obama, we had better keep and eye on him.
http://ewebsmith.com/gov/JFKWarning.html
November 30, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't look out your window! The black helicopters are coming for you!
(Thank goodness!)
November 30, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Considering that the usual subjects are pretty much all still in place, why wouldn't anyone concerned with peace, human rights, and social justice figure that nothing changes?
November 30, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wait. So, you're the only one concerned with peace, human rights and social justice? Get over yourself!
We're all concerned with those things but I'm one Obama supporter who believes he has earned the chance to be sworn in and put forth his policies before we *figure* he's going to abuse human rights, ignore social justice and continue the war.
November 30, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
We shall hope he possesses magical powers to transform the old fossils of the establishment status quo into change agents. But heck, I still believe in Santa and the Wizard of Oz. It could happen.
November 30, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
He doesn't need magical powers. He just needs to remind them that they work for him, something I'm sure they realized before they said "I accept."
Here's something you haven't figured out: 90% of Obama's policy agenda is considered mainstream--healthcare, ending the war, addressing climate chage, more business regulation, rejection of trickle down economics, the end of torture, closing Gitmo. These things are no longer considered "liberal."
After 8 years of this disastrous administration, the vast majority of the country wants these things. In fact, they're begging for them. So, please tell me who in his administration will be opposed to them. Don't talk about what someone did or supported during the '90's or 6-8 years ago. The whole world has changed since then and a great many people have modified their views accordingly. I think you're the one who's out of step.
November 30, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I quite agree that the public mood has changed. I doubt very much that the establishment and their lobbies have changed. I don't see a soul in his administration as of yet who comes out of that public mood. I see a cast of characters who have been inside the beltway for decades. While I can understand that he needs to demonstrate a sense of stability in this time of economic instability, I totally doubt that insiders will reform anything.
November 30, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Again. Tell me who among these advisers do you think will have the gall to block healthcare and ending the war, etc? Hello! These are the establishment positions now. You're blowing smoke when you say no one in his administration is representing the public mood. Give me an example.
Who do you think is advising Obama's economic policy which, as articulated, is reflecting the public mood? The same with healthcare and climate change.
Listen to Gates' speeches. His positions are *very* closely aligned with Obama's. And he's been a very competent SOD. Obama's positions weren't liberal, per se. They were realistic and he's filling his cabinet with realists.
Tell me what his appointees have said recently that make you so damn sure they are opposed to implementing Obama's objectives. If you can't do that, perhaps you should at least wait until he's sworn in before you slit your wrists in despair.
November 30, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure, he's a realist, so was Richard Nixon. Look, I never drank the Kool-Aid. I supported him because I didn't want Hillary's foreign policy. I got it anyway. Nothing changes. Expect a big defense bill and a bandaid for a healthcare bill.
At least this has brought peace between me and my conservative uncle. We agreed over the turkey Thursday that change is absolutely impossible in the country with either of these parties running things. All you get is the same lobbies pushing the same agendas all with an enormous price tag to paid by the middle class who are getting zilch out of it.
As to the competent SOD, are we still wasting $5B a month in Iraq? I thought so. Meanwhile, my state, like every other state I expect, will be making cuts to social services while our "free" war continues. You have to pay with today's dollars to treat sick children but war just goes on the charge card for them to pay later, assuming they get well.
"Continuity" in Iraq is what I got. At least I know that's what I got and I'm not going to pretend that's what I want.
November 30, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Change happens everyday and constantly whether we want it to or not. Change, along with death and taxes are the only gaurantees in life. You can help change along and direct it or you can sit and let it run over you. From your words, it looks as if you are just going to sit and watch the impending doom you speak of, practically dream of. Just so you can say, "I told you so!" Enough with the Kool-Aid snark and the walk-on-water work magic garbage. It is your kind of thinking that hinders progress. Us "kool-aid" drinkers don't have fantasies of Obama swooping in on a white horse, lopping off heads, ousting the establishment, and starting a whole new government that will reign forever. It really seems that some of you won't be happy until you see a scenario like this happen. It ain't. Power does not concede without a fight. Obama has to work with what he has. He has to work with and around the establishment to get anything done. He has to reach out to people he doesn't like or that his supporters don't like.
November 30, 2008 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gates is still Bush's SOD and Bush wants this war to continue. That's why you have a $10 billion/month war. The policy comes from the prez--REMEMBER??
Obama wants this war to end and that's what he'll tell Gates to do and that's what he will do. Judging by Gates' performance, public statement and voice in the 9/11 commission, I have no doubt that he wants the same thing.
November 30, 2008 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the public mood has changed why doesn't that apply to his cabinet appointments? Some people's ideas and beliefs evolve overtime with new information, haven't yours? Why can't the same be applied to his appointments? Obama knows his history, he's lived through Reagan, Clinton and both Bushs. He is not new to politics. He's been studying it for years and has been involved with politics and politicians for years. He is NOT a neophyte! So let's stop talking as if he doesn't know what's up. Obama didn't pick these people from a grab bag. He considered what he wanted to accomplish, he talked to advisors, he talked to potential appointments, he studied them, he listened to them and then made his decisions. Until I "see" otherwise, his picks are fine with me. He is smarter than I am, he has more information than any of us do and he has more insider information than any of us ever will and so I will trust his judgement. I would say that he is smarter than any of you, but there are a lot egos here and someone might get offended - oops! it looks like I already said it.
November 30, 2008 6:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm afraid we've just exchanged one set of true believers for another.
November 30, 2008 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're not afraid. You're praying-praying that things turn out bad so you can say "I told you so!" Your attitude sucks. You must be a blast at a party.
You say you have Hillary's foreign policy. Well, you don't have a damn thing because Obama hasn't taken office yet.
You dub us as "true believers" and "kool-aid drinkers". I don't see blind loyalty; I see people who are at least willing to give the guy a chance to make good on his promises. You're not.
You're not a kool-aid drinker; you're a poison drinker. You want to believe in the worst possible outcome because you are invested in suffering.
November 30, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
FreeRider: I suspect Bluebell is a troll. If it isn't, then it's just a very miserable person who cannot see that we have the best chance at a brighter future than we have had in a long time. People like Bluebell will piss on anyone's parade, then say that they are just voicing dissent and try to turn their misery into your fault. Fury without purpose is worthless. And so f***ing tiresome. I smell a troll.
November 30, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kate, I've seen bluebell here for a long time. He/she isn't a troll. He/she is just the most depressing, glass-half-empty person I've ever seen. Thrives on misery and disappointment.
November 30, 2008 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, my apologies if I'm wrong. I just am having a hard time with people who are depressed by Obama's win and his immediate actions in the transition after 8 years of Bush. Do these people wear hairshirts and self flagellate? It's really quite a phenomenon, these people who can't find Utopia and can't stop whining about it. I've worked in DC for 26 years, in the legislative and executive branches, and I don't think I've ever felt so much excitement and hope--even knowing how very hard the road ahead is. The transition team is really excellent and their mindset is to do what it takes to solve the problems. It's just annoying to have these negativity gnats buzzing around.
November 30, 2008 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Do these people wear hairshirts and self flagellate?"
Yes they do. They don't feel comfortable unless they are the only voice of warning, warning us of the obviously tight and efficient cabal of conspiracy that controls both the Republicans and Democrats.
Beware! Beware!
November 30, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, bluebell, what should we do?
I see only three options.
1. work within the system. This involves comprimise, making deals with "the devil" as it were and incremental change.
2. Violent revolution. Usually works out in the end but after years of violence, often a military dictarship, many years of reconcilation before returning to option 1.
3. Retreat to private life. Not a bad choice really. On one level the Universe does not recognize such entities as America or The Republican Party and such. Ultimately we exist in an order and world we alone organize for ourselves. Personally, I tend towards this choice with a degree of involvement in 1 that tends to be limited in scope and personal attatchment. I always think that supporting people involved politically in option 1 provides the greatest chance for those choosing to withdrawl into a private life the greatest chance for serenity. I see Obama as the quintissential option 1 person. Bush, Cheney, Osama Bin Laden, these folks I see much more as option 2 people.
So what's your deal? Obviously 1 is out for you, but I don't see you calling for 2. That leaves 3. But to retreat into private life tends to negate the motivation for rabble rousing as a pamphleteer on the Internet. Withdrawling into a private life of darkness and doom seems to be psychlogically devastating and ultimately unfullfilling.
It has always been possible to look at the future in the most darkest light. In 2008 or 1938 or 1000AD or 2000BC. The darkness is alway there, but life is ultimately more fullfilling when one focuses on the light.
That's just my opinion of course.
November 30, 2008 9:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like the way you think. Straightforward, simple, real. Thanks.
November 30, 2008 9:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bluebell doesn't have any answers, just complaints and predictions of doom and gloom.
I've asked repeatedly to name the people on Obama's team who have advocated violation of human rights, overturning social justice and endless war. That question went unanswered. Know why? Because no one has.
I've asked bluebell to explain why, if the mood of the country has shifted drastically in the last eight years to push for the things on Obama's agenda, why is it impossible to believe that the centrists in the Obama administration have also embraced those things. No answer.
November 30, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
And I totally doubt that a team made up of outsiders could reform anything. How could they? Fresh ideas? sure. How to get er done? Nope! If you did, you Lefties, Libs, Progressives (or whatever) wouldn't feel so frustrated and left out.
November 30, 2008 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey Anew, I agree with you.
I was very skeptical of the selection of Gates, Jones and HRC, as I thought they were not aligned with what Obama said he wanted and I was disheartned.
But today, I finally read a cogent analysis that gave a fresh (inside tent and enemies closer being so replete) very plausible rationale for the selection of HRC as SOS, as well as Jones and Gates in their respective roles.
I gotta tell you...it just made so much sense and it sounded just like the type of strategic move Obama would make.
Beinart, in Newsweek..said that these folks have not been selected to persuade Obama to their right of center hawkish views, but rather they have been selected because of their hawkish views being able to persuade the right to give Obama's 'dove' tactics a chance. That they have the credibility with the right to sell Obama's strategy to them. Tp dispell their squeamishness about Obama's FP experience and approach.
That made incredible sense to me. Particularly, as Obama has said repeatedly, he sets the policy and the team executes it.
Moreover, wes saw this with what Bush&Cheney did with Powell. Powell was the one with the credibility and he was used as their pawn to sell the war to the rest of the nation, to give credence to the validity of their pre-emptive strike 'bring it on' mentality. Folks, knew Powell was not a war monger so he was effectively able to sell their saber rattling to the rest of the nation. Folks felt like if Powell was saying go, then it was reasonable and prudent to do so.
Obama is being perceived as a dove, naive and inexperience on foreign policy, folks are not willing to trust his 'walk softly and carry a big stick' FP views nor accept that America should lead by the might of her example and not the example of her might, as WJC said.
When Obama decides the direction for the policy and sends out HRC, Jones and Gates to sell that position...the right will listen and give his strategy a chance.
AIPAC will fall in line as well due to how much they believe HRC is in their pocket and they too will be forced to not attack the Obama's FP as he will have Rahm Emanuel as another spokesperson adroit in the art of diplomatic talk. lol
So, that is how I can now relax and watch this plan roll out.
Obama is a master politician...and we are about to watch a thing of political might and strength this nation has not seen in a loooong time.
I even laughed thinking about who the heck are the experts that come out against Obama when he has all of them working either in his cabinet, on an advisory board or part of the WH staff?
He even has Scowcroft on board.
Game, set..match...time to watch it.
November 30, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. If certain people like Bluebell weren't so invested in predicting doom, they'd see it, too.
Obama has bought himself a lot of breathing room with the moderates he will need to get his agenda passed simply by choosing folks they trust. The right isn't going to stand in the way of Gates and Jones when they start drawing down troops.
November 30, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me three. I wish people would wake up and smell the coffee. All of obama's picks make incredible sense and this analysis is spot on. I personally don't like the clintons, but gates and jones are excellent picks. Obama will set the mission and they will execute and they have the cred to execute. What more do you want? It seems like a no-brainer to me.
November 30, 2008 7:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
If yer gonna bitch about handing the government to the FED's, don't blame Ms. Hillary! This all happened because of Bu$h and the repugs in Congress...they're the ones who deliverd the government to the FED's.
November 30, 2008 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm so glad we have a pragmatist as president now... it's been a long time...
-- Cris
My site: Obama Wallpaper Archive
November 30, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
The economic and FP teams are looking top notch at the moment. Now it's time for energy and Interior, I wonder who will get those slots.
November 30, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
On the FP front, the military is breathing a sigh of relief...diplomacy will trump military force now. In fact, I was reading about Bu$h's Africa Corp (AFRICOM) he has been trying to install in Africa for that last 4 to 6 years.
The concept was for a US military force, like US Army Europe (USAREUR), to be station on the continent and put down any attempts to interrupt oil production and flow. No African country has been willing to sponsor them - who's wants a foreign standing army on their soil for the purpose of protecting foreign investments?
Recently, someone in Congress is on record saying diplomacy would the weapon of choice in dealing with Africa in Obama's Administration.
November 30, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another press conference? What does he think he is, accountable or something?
November 30, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
He knows people want to hear him speak and want to know who will be on his team. It's good he will give the people what they want.
November 30, 2008 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
A very bloody four days but your super six for Sunday lends credence to a better tomorrow. Two people shot in Toysrus, one employe of Walmart trampled to death like a scene from the Simpsons. The big story was terrorists in India, meaningless deaths.
I like seeing Lugar in a courteous and amenable mood. I like seeing Obama reach out to the military--we need them now more than ever. I look forward to seeing the new official part of the team presented tomorrow.
One man cannot deal with all the problems facing the world. But the hundred top citizens or so directly named by Obama. and thousands under them, working 20 hour days with our support might work out all right.
November 30, 2008 7:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bush's last minute agenda may not work out after all.
I'm not sure I see him making it all the way until January 20th.
I'm happy to hear from Obama every several days.
People like Richard Perle are on their way out, and I couldn't be happier about it.
December 1, 2008 3:37 AM | Reply | Permalink