Which Obama pick are you the MOST pleased with?

[Bicoastal]

I tired to include mostly high profile picks--and I didn't mess with the positions that are still a matter of media speculation, such as Treasury, Defense, and yes, SECRETARY OF STATE.

[monmouth]

1. The only negative in this poll is that I can only vote once. I like them all...n/t

[mmonk]

2. Robert Gibbs.

[Solomon]

3. Eric Holder is the most qualified person in America to be Attorney

General and he will sail through the confirmation process despite the petty nonsense and drivel kicked up by the right-wingers. For them to howl so much tells me he's perfect. They're afraid of him.

I've known Holder as a Judge when I was a practicing lawyer. He was also Deputy Attorney General.

He will honor and uphold the constitution, not try and find ways to circumvent the laws.

Eric Holder is a superstar.

[babylonsister]

5. I agree, he will be another breath of fresh air! nt

[Bluenorthwest]

18. Holder is not fresh air, he's an lunactic 'drug warrior'

who opposes Medical Marijuana, and uses a lexicon around the issue that reminds me of the worst of the Right Wing. Ill informed and filled with hubris, he is a terrible choice, and indicates yet another specific set of promises Obama is flushing downn the memory hole. Authoritarian and in love with the Patriot Act, Holder is the worst pick of them all. Pitiful, how soon it has all been traded off for mediocrity and the status quo.

I could not disagree more if it were Ashcroft.

[babylonsister]

19. I'm not thinking med. marijuana, I'm thinking the rule of law.

Compared to the past 8 years, he will be a breath of fresh air. So sorry if your opinion differs, but that's why they're personal.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7897369&mesg_id=7897369


Quote of the Day: Eric Holder, 2004

OK, so technically, not quote of today, but you get the drift.

http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2008/11/quote-of...

Quote of the Day

| posted by Melissa McEwan | Tuesday, November 18, 2008



"At the beginning of the 21st century, this nation faces problems that are old and that are new: racial, sexual orientation, and gender inequality all remain. … The solutions are contained within a new, dynamic, progressive movement that has the ability to inspire and motivate the people of this nation in the way that progressives have in the past. That ability exists in this room, and in the law schools, and in the courtrooms, and in the law offices around this country. It is our task to unlock, to unleash the creative energy needed to give life to this renewed movement. It is not enough for us to gather at annual meetings, to participate in panels, and to return to our communities, and be content to observe, or to passively criticize, the now dominant governing philosophy.

Quite simply, it is time to act. It is time to organize. It is time to retake the levers of government and to use them for the common good. It is time, finally, to be true to our ideological heritage. And so my challenge to you tonight is to leave this convention renewed in your convictions, and committed to using your abundant talents for the good of the citizens of this country.

At the end of every week, I want you to ask yourselves, what have I done in the past seven days to advance the cause? How have I made more likely this liberal renaissance?

…Now we all lead busy lives, and we can all find reasons, excuses really, not to do that which we know is needed. The struggle is larger than any of these excuses, and is ultimately dependent on individual sacrifices large and small. I urge you to find your own way in this new effort. I implore you to create relationships with other members of the progressive community to bring to bear your combined talents.

This can be—this must be—our time. We must seize this opportunity. For the good of the nation we love, we must make this new century our own."

—Eric Holder, in a June 2004 speech (pdf; via) to American Constitution Society. Holder is a former deputy attorney general under Clinton, who has reportedly been tapped by President-Elect Obama to be the next Attorney General of the United States.

That's a man who believes in teaspoons, right there.

I'd just like to point out, because I can't quite yet believe it myself, that after an era of John "Let the Eagle Soar" Ashcroft and Alberto "Quaint" Gonzales, we may find ourselves with an Attorney General with both a brain and a social conscience.

ZOMG. Somebody pinch me. We're getting our country back.

[Bluenorthwest]

35. I hope his views have evolved

My state and many others have made law that we wish to see upheld. That is rule of law. Holder's words here are strong, and there are other issues where I like his positions. His record on this issue is terrible, and his thinking about it is of the sort I really dislike, but his record is also a bit dated, so perhaps he is not of the same mind now. I hope so. I'm trying hard to be positive, the CA stuff really hit me hard, so I'm not in a great space and I know it.
At my best, I hope for the long game, and I've always been of the opinion that the people who will be able to make big change on controversial issues will not be from the booster side, but will be people who have seemed opposed, who make a case for a change of mind. A Holder for example has standing as 'not a freak' to make the case for mindful changes to the laws. So who knows? He is certainly a step up from what we have had, in a huge way.
In general, I see Obama picking skill sets and so while some of his choices are not people I am crazy for, I can see the point of picking them for specific abilities. Perhaps Holder is just the same, and I'm just seeing the small picture. I hope Obama's stand on this issue will be the policy we see put in place. That is all I ask.

[Solomon]

33. Same boat as Ashcroft?!!! Wow. You obviously know nothing

about Eric Holder. Nothing at all.

[Bluenorthwest]

41. I don't know much, that is true

And I've put out some emails to better informed people to see what they think. I'm trying to be thoughtful, but in Holder's case I know him only as an voice against what I am for. So I am used to seeing him as the other side, and what few quotes and such I have read of his before this morning are just ignorant in my book. But I also know I don't know much else about him, and I know his horrible opinions are pretty old. So I'm reserving judgment for now, but seeing his name sent a cold chill down my spine, because of what I do know about him. Perhaps what I don't know will mitigate the fears from what I do know.

But my opinion is based on actions and statements from Holder, which are well known and long known. Incomplete, sure. But the facts are still the facts. And I do not agree with Holder at all if he maintains the same positions he maintained then. On this issue.
What do you like about him? I don't know his specific skill set past the drug war rhetoric. I'm open to hearing his good points. But I will not pretend the bad stuff is not there.

[mmonk]

8. Has there been any disclosure that he will not investigate

wrongdoing that occurred in the bush administration?

[Bicoastal]

9. Somehow, I don't think that'll be top priority...

...there's too much work to be done. We have to clean up their mess, and FAST. Then, we can start airing out the dirty laundry from the last administration.

[mmonk]

32. I don't want another AG that in anyway declares what he will investigate

and what he won't in reference to law breaking.

[Honeycombe8]

4. Emmanuel is not a cabinet pick. He only has 2 cabinet picks so far: Daschle HHA, Holder AG. nt

[Bicoastal]

7. Got it.

[Ozma]

6. Any and all...............Obama is the guy deciding, not US!!!! ...

I elected a guy to make the tough calls, given how he chose people to work for his campaign, and how he won, I really don't see a problem letting HIM continue to make the decisions and not leave it up to posters on the DU bulletin board.

[Dawgs]

10. What idiots voted none?

Actually, I don't know why I'm surprised. This place has gotten stupid after the election.

[Jackeens]

11. Probably Sarah Palin. She's been sitting by her phone for a fortnight waiting for that call to serve

[lame54]

12. Fuck Eric Holder...

I will fight this one

I am Pro Obama and think he will do a great job

But I don't like this guy one bit

[babylonsister]

20. You keep saying that, but you don't give a reason. So give one. nt

[lame54]

22. He's pro-patriot act and...

wants to imprison pot smokers - i find both extremely immoral

[babylonsister]

23. Sigh. Who, besides Feingold, didn't agree with the patriot act at the time?

These are the 98 U.S. senators for voted in favor of the US Patirot Act of 2001 (Senator Landrieu (D-LA) did not vote) Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin was the only senator who voted against the Patriot Act on October 24, of 2001.

http://educate-yourself.org/cn/patriotact20012006senatevote.shtml

As for weed, good luck finding anyone who fits the bill there.

Can you suggest anyone who would be better than Holder?

[lame54]

25. He pushed for the re-authorization in 2005...

after the initial shock receded and we could see the law for what it is

[babylonsister]

27. OK.

Bad move on his part. So, do you have any suggestions, of anyone you agree with 100% who would be a better pick?

I've gone into this knowing no one is perfect; maybe 3 additional years of watching this admin shred the Constitution has made him rethink his stand then. I don't know, but I'll take the long view and see the positives in this selection.

[lame54]

28. which are?...

your turn to pony up

By the way, isn't this your thread?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=402697&mesg_id=403438

[babylonsister]

29. I'm all for legalizing pot. But that's not the

main priority I'll be counting on in the selection of an AG.

See response #19, specifically Holder's quote. THAT is what I'm looking for in an AG.

[lame54]

30. Very funny...

and a nice dodge too

[babylonsister]

31. How so?

And speaking of dodges, I don't recall you ponying up any names. :eyes:

Edit to add: if you can't get your head wrapped around all the problems this country faces and are going to be a one issue person, that being pot, than you have a very narrow world view.

[lame54]

34. How about...

pot
patriot act
chiquita bananas

[babylonsister]

36. You're dodging. Name someone else; you obviously can't. nt

[lame54]

37. Doug, my neighbor...

What a silly argument

As if there are only two choices

[babylonsister]

38. You're so hellbent on getting rid of Holder, I want to know who

your recommendation would be. What's so tough about that? And I'll make it even easier. Who will forward drug policies you agree with?

The fact is, no one will meet all of any of our expectations, which is what I've been trying to tell you. So keep on keepin' on with your flamefest against Holder. And have a nice day.

[lame54]

40. I gave 3 important reasons...

a lot of states have passed pro marijuana laws only to to be quashed by the Fed govt.

we don't need an AG who promotes pro-marijuana laws - just one who will let state laws stand

finding someone who didn't push for the patriot act in 2005 would be easier

finding someone who didn't represent Chiquita bananas in their death squad suit would be the easiest yet

Appointing his cabinet is not my job

Monitoring his choices and calling him out on what I feel is wrong for this country is - and it is yours as well

[RichGirl]

13. If Clinton gets SOS...I will be really, REALLY happy!!!

[Jennicut]

14. I have no problems with any of his picks so far, though most are not official yet

[onehandle]

15. Rahm! I want the baddest mfers out there at Obama's side. nt

[TwilightGardener]

16. Daschle--he was my Senator for a while, and a good guy.

[frogmarch]

17. Daschle! nt

[peace frog]

21. I'm happy that Daschle will return

I think the spot Obama chose for him, Sec of HHS, will be perfect. Well done!

[1corona4u]

24. Other--Joe Biden!

:hi:

Then Gibbs. :-)

[NashVegas]

43. Seconded

[slackmaster]

26. Chili

With beans.

[gauguin57]

39. My favorite pick of his is Michelle Obama for First Lady!

His best decision, by far.

[CTyankee]

42. I'll bet you Barack feels the same way! Couldn't be better than Michelle! n/t