Obama's Vetting Process - Pros and Cons - Early Leaks Versus Late Surprises

[Median Democrat]

I have read about the thoroughness of Obama's vetting process. Records are being reviewed, and people are being interviewed. The downside, of course, is that this process makes it difficult to keep potential appointees under wraps. How can you asked about Janet Napalitano, for example, without someone asking, "Who are you and why are you asking?"

Obama apparently has made the decision that he would rather suffer some drama as part of the vetting process, rather than suffer though surprises during the confirmation process. He also appears to be working the Senate for preliminary views regarding the opposition that will be given to potential picks, and this is an early test of which Senators will promise their support of a pick, but ultimately prove un-trustworthy.

So, for better or worse, I think this early drama is by design, and the actual confirmation hearings are intended to be anti-climatic, because all of the rough work is being done right now. With Bill Clinton and Lani Guanier and Zoe Baird, Bill suffered several set-backs during confirmation hearings. The issue is whether the pre-vetting process if the better approach or whether Bill's approach was superior.

[qwlauren35]

1. I remember Lani Guinier. That was painful.

And people said that Clinton seriously hung her out to dry. At least when Bush appointed Clarence Thomas, he saw it through to the end.

Another thing to keep in mind is how often scandals have blown up in people's faces - we never consider whether they might be in the midst of doing something GOOD that gets derailed in the process. (Like Edwards.) Getting people who squeak is valuable. At the same time, getting people whose skeletons are already out of the closet is equally valuable.

That way if Obama really wants someone, there is a plan for how to handle a skeleton.

[DerekJ]

2. Oh boy! IBTL .

Why IBTL?!!
You are using your brain, and making sense on DU. Lately this should get you TS'd not just your threads locked.

[genna]

3. I like the idea of drama by design as the the best of two options than

Obama has lost control of his process.


The way I see it is can he walk into the Inauguration ceremony with his cabinet and White House in hand working together. Can he walk down the hall and sign bills into law?


Can he have met with each major issue team/Cabinet secretary/undersecretaries so he can he honor his campaign promises right away? While some reporters will be having two or three columns on what Michelle Obama wore to the ball, will Obama be fielding his first few teams to the Middle East, Asia/Africa and other oil rich areas to work out human rights-civil reform agreements so we can back out some of the current traps we're in with oil?


Trust me when I say I'd rather hear about issues than whether or not we are going through a whole new dramatic Clinton round. The reason we hear so much about what 'insiders' think about what Bill or Hillary are doing is that the reporters don't want to work hard to understand what the issues actually MEAN! How difficult is it to write, he said she said?

[Median Democrat]

4. Look At Wolf Blitzer's Story About The Severity of Obama's Vetting Process

I think part of the reason why there are so many leaks is because Obama's team is actively running potential appointees by members of Congress to see what issues will be raised. Of course, even Republicans have to be careful, because if they reject every appointment, then they will get completely shut out of the process. So, even they have to play a little bit of ball.

Of course, there are some folks who are freelancing. For example, with Hillary, there are two inconsistent narratives out there: First, that Hillary is undecided on accepting a SoS appointment. Second, that Hillary wants the appointment, and is leaking to box Obama in. All these narratives cannot be true, and the media is probably amplifying leaks by folks who are only tangentially involved in the process.

The one great upside about Hillary is that she sucks the oxygen from the room with respect to all other appointments. I am sure the GOP would love to create a controversy with respect to possible appointees, but all other appointments pale in comparison with drama surrounding Hillary.