For all of the speculation about Obama's cabinet, I doubt if

[rasputin1952]

President-elect Obama, (that sounds almost as good as President Obama), will take Senators out of the positions they now have. This nation fought hard to get a D controlled Congress. If there are 58,59,60 Senators, why would he tear apart that margin?

While we all speculate to some degree, I think that looking at the situation realistically is the best way to go. Obama is not a stupid man, I seriously doubt he will strip friendly Senate seats to fill a cabinet. Watching the news dogs, I am sitting here thinking that they are doing little more than fan the fires of discord. They know as much as we do about Obama's plan for filling the Cabinet.

All I hope for is the best and brightest. People who will be adept at their jobs, uphold the Constitution and respect the Laws and People of this great nation. We shall see who is selected, there is time, and the last thing we need are people in a Cabinet who will be little more than "Yes Men/Women".

Speculation is fine, to a degree, but we all should realize that we do not have a crystal ball, and the decision is ultimately up to Obama. I don't think he'll do anything to harm the nation. Remember, this is a 180 from the current monstrous regime, Obama leaves stupidity at the door, whereas bush and his cronies invited in and fed it.

[stray cat]

1. Some senators will be replaced by their democratic governor

so the seat will stay with the democrats. I think Obama will choose those he perceives to be the best and the brightest and some of those may be senators who will not give up the seat to a republican but to another dem.

[rasputin1952]

3. There is the finer point of taking experience out as well...

no Freshman Senator will get a seat of power. Obama is not stupid, I'm hoping he is looking at all of the facets of the situation.

[stray cat]

5. You are right about experience but I still would like to see the best people in his cabinet

just like Biden even though he was a senator - I thought was a good choice for VP

[rasputin1952]

7. I think so too...Biden has some remarkable qualities...

and he's a fighter. The most important thing, he can step up to the plate if something happens, (I don't think anything will happen, Obama is young, and the threats, while serious, are just threats at this point and to be expected).

I don't see many ties in the Senate, so all Biden has to do is go fishing or go to state funerals. Biden will be invaluable in coaching the president elect in Senate situations, as he's been there since before dirt...:hi:

[LostinVA]

2. I agree with your speculation

MAYBE one Senator, but that's it.

I think he should give Alright a call, myself.

[rasputin1952]

6. There are a lot of incredibly talented people out there...

I'm hoping he will choose the brightest and the most capable. IMO, the Senate is not the place to look for them. We'rte going to need some fresh water for the Tree of Liberty, I don't see that coming from the Senate.

As it is now, two Senators are. (Obama and Biden), are going to give up their seats. Sure D's will replace them, but in the case of Biden, a LOT of experience is moving to the Naval Observatory/Blair House.

To be honest, after bush and his cronies, Mussolini might have been an option, and a step up...:scared:

[cali]

4. well, I don't think he'd ever pick a dem senator who'd be replaced by

a puke or endanger a seat, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him pick a sitting Senator for his cabinet. That said, I can't imagine he'd pick more than one.

[rasputin1952]

8. I can't believe he'd choose more than one either...

persoanlly, I'd like to see him leave the Seante alone, the House as well. Governors appear to have more flexibility as well, but there are a lot of people in Academia, and just plain good old citizens that can fill Cabinet posts. I'd love to see someone in the George C.Marshall caliber, but I think it would be difficult to find a SoS like that again...:hi:

[Skwmom]

9. If you want to bring the country together, why in the world would you pick polarizing people

for high profile positions? That would be beyond stupid.

[rasputin1952]

10. I agree, I think most of the stuff that is hitting the news and the pundits

are extrapolating on is absurd.

obama is no dummy like bush. I would suppose he would think of friends and allies to take these positions, that is what normal people would do. However, in the case of Obama, I think he will look at many people from different backgrounds, decide who he can trust and go from there. HRC going to talk to him is no big deal, she has a powerful Senate seat, why would she give that up to be in the Cabinet, I wouldn't. I think her going to Obama was more of a make-up thing for the primaries.

In the long run, we shall see who gets the nod, who accepts and who declines. I am not all that worried about Obama's choices. I honestly believe he will make the best choices he can, and only after some serious thought. We're not talking bush's "best friend forever list here", we're talking about an educated man who knows how to use his brain, not some straw-brained moron that did little more than appoint thieves and scoundrels into the Cabinet.

It's all about time, and speculation, no matter how well "founded", (if speculation can be seen as such), does little if anything to make matters smoother.

[jobycom]

11. On the other hand, it's a good way to introduce new blood into the Senate.

If a senator is chosen for a cabinet position (and I'm not saying any will be or should be--or won't be or shouldn't be, either), then a Democratic governor can replace them with a new face in Democratic politics, maybe promoting a potential strong leader into the national spotlight.

[rasputin1952]

12. I agree we could use some fresh ideas and people in both houses...

but it also a good idea to keep a lot of experience in there as well. I think some have been there far too long, Congress was not established to be a career, fresh turnover is necessary to keep the gears well lubed.

Perhaps the next election cycle would be a better time to deal w/things, starting out a new administration, i would think Obama would wasn't experienced leaders in the Senate and House, it's going to rocky for the first year, and one should keep allies in the best positions to ensure things get done.

Already the RW squeal machine shitweasels are blaming things on Obama, and he hasn't even been inaugurated yet...it's going to be interesting.