Transition from a "box of rocks" to the sharpest knife in the drawer

[TexasProgresive]

When he was our governor and running for president I thought that bush* was as stupid as a box of rocks and nothing he has done since has changed my mind. After he got selected I was having a conversation with a repuke friend on mine who actually agreed that he was not the sharpest knife in the drawer, "but Daddy bush would make sure he was surrounded by really “good” people." I commented that might be true but you needed a strong will at the center to hold them all together.

With Obama as president I am basing my hope on past performance during the election. I am not worried about whom he chooses for staff and cabinet or what members of the Congress he consults. What I see is that Barrack (ideology aside) is the polar opposite of bush*. He is a strong hub that all the spokes of his administration will be attached. They will not be running amok doing their own thing as has been going on for the last 8 years. He will be aware and in control.The wheel will run true.

All those who are serving in the administration will know that they serve at his will and will work towards that end. Now one must hope, and I do, that his will is good for the country. I would rather he not pull to many from the Senate, even those from safe seats, because that would diminish our strength in the upper house. At this stage of the game, I am not willing to second guess the President-elect. To be honest he has been one or more steps ahead of me and maybe all of us since he burst on the scene.

[BlueJazz]

1. Very Well Put...Texasprogressive. Nice Read !! Thanks

[lunatica]

2. It's possible he's being politically astute

His pattern may be to pull people into his administration who he knows are powerful within their own right with people who opposed him during the last two years. It makes me believe he really is determined to put country ahead of partisanship or party. Look at where his appointees are strongest and that's who he's pulling into the mix. Hillary has a huge following who are truly loyal to her and now he's given them a reason to work with him.

Not punishing Lieberman is doing the same. It sends a message that he's not partisan or vengeful and it brings in LIeberman's strong following as well as sends a message that he'll continue the US policy of protecting Israel.

Understanding that this is politics at it's best or worst is key to getting how things get done. We've been unwitting witnesses to how detrimental to the country it is to practice such extreme ideological partisanship for the last 12 years or so. The result has been that a very small group of people have benefited beyond their wildest dreams but both the country and most Americans have suffered for it. Our present financial disaster wasn't inevitable. Going to war in Iraq wasn't inevitable. Torturing wasn't inevitable. Gutting the Constitution wasn't inevitable.

I think the chances of this country benefiting from President Elect Obama's choices are far greater for the simple fact that he's reaching out to all the American people by picking the members he's picking. It may not work, but we've already seen how extreme partisanship works. Or doesn't work. I'm glad he's not doing the same. Because governing is meant to be for all the people, then it makes sense to represent all the people.

If your job entails herding cats, then you best be qualified to some degree at herding cats.

[liberalla]

3. Love it!

Transition from a "box of rocks" to the sharpest knife in the drawer

I knew exactly what you were talking about before I clicked on the link. :P
You are right - Obama has been ahead of the curve all along. I'm trusting in his judgement, and am so excited to see what is ahead.