Where the the new faces, so far?

[kennetha]

I haven't been keeping close track, but so far it doesn't seem to the casual observer (that's me) that there are that many new faces emerging in Obama's cabinet and staff picks so far.

Maybe that's to be expected, given how tough some of these jobs are and the situation the Obama adminstration will face when it takes over. You want a lot of experienced, reliable hands on deck, I guess. But you'd also want some fresh eyes and ears, too, I would think.

Anyway, is it just me or are old faces dominating the few selections we know about so far?

[HereSince1628]

1. To the causual observer it seems his cabinet is dominated by DC political insiders.

I admit to wishing Obama would have read more about JFK's cabinet and rather less about Lincoln's.

[Skwmom]

7. Make that DLC political insiders.

[FLAprogressive]

2. Lots of Clinton retreads / DLC folks. Dissapointing so far :(

[Orangepeel]

3. Obama himself, of course, and his two senior advisors

Alexrod and that woman... I can't remember her name but there was speculation she'd be appointed to Obama's senate seat but then he brought her on as senior adviser.

Having new faces set the agenda and experienced people to carry it out sounds like a viable plan to me.

[Skwmom]

8. Have you ever heard the old saying, you are judged by the company you keep.

[jenmito]

12. Valerie Jarrett is great "company."

[demokatgurrl]

4. I'm sure there will be some new faces but

there are talented Democrats who have been in "exile" for 8 years, who have a lot to contribute. Also, some people with some experience in a previous admininstration will go a long way to helpt the new administration get started. Think of the valuable inside info Rahm Emmanuel has.

It's not at all unusual for a new President to use some of the talent from a previous administration.

[blm]

5. I would LOVE to see some old PROGRESSIVE faces - people who've been opposing the RW and establishmen

powerstructure Dems for many years.

[1corona4u]

10. Yeah, like who?

[Bicoastal]

13. Like that fresh young face, Barack Obama!

When's he going to get his due? x(

[blm]

14. Bonior....if I didn't want him to stay in senate and lead investigations, I'd say Kerry.

Just because people have familiar faces it doesn't mean their progressive policies were ever given due process or attention.

For instance - public financing of campaigns - McCain-Feingold became the only bill anyone talked about, but, Kerry's bill that Wellstone added to in 1997 was the best public financing of campaigns bill and received no attention. I think the only senators who even voted for it back then were Kerry, Wellstone, Leahy, Biden and Glenn.

[Akoto]

6. I'm a little puzzled ...

There seems to be this perception that Obama promised to assemble a young, fresh-faced cabinet which would likely be overwhelmed by the enormity of our country's problems.

Yes, he's hiring from past administrations, but I think that's because we simply can't afford a lot of inexperience right now. He needs to surround himself with people who know the bureaucracy and how to wrangle in the disaster Bush left us with. Sometimes, that's gonna mean compromising and taking on people who've served prior, or ones whose ideals we do not 100% agree with but are nevertheless very skilled in the areas they're being appointed to.

[1corona4u]

Who said there would be new faces? DU?

Obama said there would be change. That doesn't necessarily mean 'new faces'. It means new 'politics', and that does not have to be limited to 'new faces'. :eyes:

[jenmito]

9. Robert Gibbs is his Press Sec. and Valerie Jarrett & David Axelrod are 2 of his main advisers. n/t

[Uzybone]

16. They will be ignored. The hand wringers act like they dont exist.

Instead concentrating on bashing solid dems like Daschle, Hillary and Holder.

[jenmito]

17. Looks like you're right. They ARE being ignored.

I guess some people just like starting trouble.

[IndianaJones]

11. awesome selections so far. nt.

[CreekDog]

15. where was your clamor for new faces when you supported Hillary?

The change is Obama and if it takes old hands who know how to operate and make DC work for change then so be it.

Remember that Carter and Clinton brought in lots of new faces and stumbled with congress despite big Democratic majorities.

And FDR, LBJ, and Lincoln ushered in HUGE changes using veterans of the process to work the levers to get iit through.

[FrenchieCat]

18. Missing the point really does help an agenda filled with criticism, doesn't it?

Who said he was going to surround himself with new faces? Do you have that quote handy? His motto was "Change".....in reference to policy issues and how Washington works.....not in every facet of those who would affect changes.

But considering the fact that you supported Hillary Clinton, this criticism coming from you seems forced, or at least shows a certain level of bitterness unattached to consistent logic.

Have you read his 2nd book yet? Because if you did, you wouldn't have bothered with your op.

[AspenRose]

19. Michelle Bachmann was on Hannity promoting the same argument

It seems to be a talking point coming from somewhere (e.g. change = new faces)

[FrenchieCat]

20. I expect that from Ms. Bachmann.....

Who supported a 72 year old 25 year veteran of the Senate during the election....supported a candidate who had attempted to steal Obama's mantra of Change without any luck.

I thought I had seen some glimmer of progress in Kennetha in the last leg of the election towards supporting Barack Obama. Seems like 15 days was more time to be on his side than she could muster, in the end. Oh well. ;)

[CreekDog]

21. I expect that from Kennetha

.

[tekisui]

23. Of course they used to love Clinton faces.

:think:

[tekisui]

22. Obama, Axelrod, Jarrett, Gibbs.

What's your problem, anyway? You've always liked Clinton before?

[kennetha]

24. Gosh, people on DU are sensitive

Casual observation, with no criticism intended, gets blown WAY out of proportion.

Chill out people. Really!

[CreekDog]

25. you do it constantly

And you are frequently wrong. Pardon me if I think that's flameworthy.