An open letter to President-Elect Obama regarding inclusion and appointments

[Pale Blue Dot]

Dear President-Elect Obama,

Over the past week I've been following the news of your obviously exhaustive and thorough search for members of your cabinet. In particular, I've been impressed with your expressed commitment to heal the wounds of this nation and move on in a bipartisan way, taking all points of view into account. I respect and understand your desire to welcome Joe Lieberman back into the fold, even as I disagree with it. I cheer you ability to let bygones be bygones and consider your old rival Hilary Clinton for Secretary of State. I applaud your decision to send a Democratic AND Republican representative to the G20 Economic summit in Washington this weekend. And I believe your meeting with John McCain in Chicago next week is very wise.

There's just one thing, Mr. Obama. In recent history, whenever anyone discusses "bipartisanship" and/or "building a coalition with the entire spectrum of American opinions", one group always seems to be left out. One group always seems to be on the sidelines whenever Republican, Democrats, conservatives and moderates get together.

Liberals.

Don't forget about the liberals, President-elect Obama. We represent as large of a voting block as the conservative Republicans you are now working so hard to include. Our opinions have just as much right to your attention as all of the other parties and ideologies you are courting. We came out in record numbers this election because we expected you to hear our voices, too.

I know that you have been saying very little yourself about who you are considering for various cabinet positions. However, the names being bandied about in the press increase my fear that you are not considering liberal voices for your team. I've heard the names of moderate Democrats, conservative Democrats, and moderate and conservative Republicans. How about considering Russ Feingold for a post? Or Bernie Sanders? Or any of the other prominent liberal leaders in this country? Aren't their ideas worth hearing too?

Please understand that I am not asking or expecting you to fully enact a liberal wishlist - that was not the platform you ran on. I AM asking and expecting you to include liberal voices among the many you will be listening to in the coming years. We have just as much of a right to your time and attention as the rest of your "bipartisan, inclusive" team. And we would like our voices heard again, for the first time in years.

Sincerely,
Finnfan

[Skwmom]

1. He says he wants to hear differing opinions. Well, were are the liberals who will be advocating on

behalf of the American people? Where are the liberals who were RIGHT about where certain policies and legislative actions would lead this country, the liberals who if they would have been listened to we wouldn't be in this mess. I've really begun to wonder about this. Thanks for the post.

As far as Clinton goes. She is too polarizing and will help to divide, not unite this country.

They've tried to make liberal into a bad word but it's really amazing just how right many of those liberals have been.

[Pale Blue Dot]

2. Kick.

Because I spent my lunch break writing this.

[Skwmom]

3. It is a great post and an important point. If you say you want to hear differing opinions, you

can't just silence one group (especially a group that includes individuals who have BEEN right on so many issues and if they would have been listened to we wouldn't be in this mess).

Why don't you email your post to Rachel Maddow or Olbermann. It would be great to hear them raise this issue on their show.