Obama taking a pro-active stance on staff members

[walldude]

" The Obama transition team is sending a seven-page, 63-item questionnaire to every candidate for Cabinet and other high-ranking positions in the incoming administration.

The questions cover everything from information on family members, Facebook pages, blogs and hired help to links to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, American International Group and troubled banks as well as lawsuits, gifts, resumes, loans and more."

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/13/transition.questionnaire/index.html

The man knows they are going to be after him and his staff and is seriously vetting everyone. I love this guy.

[ananda]

1. So.. what if t hey lie?

Seriously.

[walldude]

2. Well then the world will end and Palin will be your new master

Gimme a break. If they lie then Obama has an out, they can't blame him if it's on paper.

[T Wolf]

4. He will have their answers to a) show that he did vet them and 2) provide a basis for canning them.

[LisaM]

3. So what if they're not perfect?

Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill couldn't have been vetted with this process. It's one thing to disclose ties to crooked financial institutions. But do they have to have super squeaky personal lives as well? Frankly I wouldn't want anyone in government who's not a little bit human.

[walldude]

5. But do they have to have super squeaky personal lives as well?

Yes. They do. Were you asleep during the Clinton administration? I'd like it not to matter but when you are up against the Republicans it does.

[rvablue]

14. It doesn't matter if they aren't perfect, just like security clearances...

it matters that they are truthful and tell all.

this prevents anyone from becoming blackmailed if there are skeletons there, because they can always be preempted and it also prevents them from being blind sided by the Rep. smear machine.

It's actually a really good idea.....we all love Richardson as a potential SoS....but there are those pesky rumors out there about him and it's best to have it cleared or be aware of it before it becomes media fodder.

Look at Edwards, fer chrissake?, what if all of that had not come to light after he was appointed AG by Obama.....huge embarrassment and huge distraction away from his agenda.

[LisaM]

15. Actually we don't all want Richardson as SoS, but not for any personal reasons I know

It's because of his views on water rights.

[walldude]

17. Exactly. I can't figure out why people are arguing against this

It's like they were asleep during the Clinton administration. It's not like I want Polly Purebred in every office but Obama has much to do and the Repukes are going to spend the next 4 years doing their best to keep him pre-occupied with faux scandals.

[TomClash]

6. I heard Ghandi and Jesus were rejected

Jesus had that temple episode and Ghandi was arrested too many times.

I'm pretty glad I'm not looking for a job in the Obama Administration.

[LisaM]

13. LOL, that's the feeling I'm getting

I don't even LIKE people with super squeaky clean personal lives. I am not talking about thieves and criminals and companies that are usorious or real baddies. But I don't want Prudence Prude from Prudieville running the show.

[TomClash]

16. Agreed nt

[Dukkha]

7. so he's actually vetting his candidates?

imagine that. I wonder what disaster inspired this thoroughness.

[walldude]

8. Yeah but judging from the response

DU would rather wait till the Republicans unleash the dogs and then scream foul instead of heading it off at the pass.

This place never ceases to amaze me.

[JuniperLea]

9. I'm sure I'd pass muster...

I have a securities license and the FBI has my fingerprints already and everything.

The funny thing is, my license used to be with AIG's broker/dealer! HAHAHHHHAHAHHAHAAAAA! The financial services company I worked for (for over six years) was acquired by AIG... I was on the acquisition team, as was my boss... a year later, he was told his position had become redundant... I left 11 mos later. And sold my employee stock purchase plan stock... just before their stock tanked! Woot!

So, there might be a few AIG related questions... but all the shenanigans came to light long after I left. I should be golden:) Touch wood!

Funny thing is, soon after the election I had a dream that Obama hired me and I had to move to DC... and my daugher came with me. I told her about the dream and she loved the idea! I thought she'd have a problem... hmmm... there is a place to submit applications and resumes on change.gov... hmmmm.... shhhh! Don't tell my boss!

[walldude]

10. Ok but when we come to D.C. I'm not getting tickets for any lobbyists

:rofl:


However if you want to bring Obama to the show I think we could work something out. :)

[JuniperLea]

11. Suh-weet!

I'm on it!

:rofl:

Edited to say: I can't turn on the freaking tube anymore without seeing BP!! He's the hottest new thing, apparently. Job security! Heh!

[abumbyanyothername]

12. I'm not squeaky clean but I do have a solution for the RE crisis

Wonder if it's better for me to offer it to Obama, or Citibank?