I would like to think we can draw a cabinet and other high level appointees from OTHER THAN ........

[Stinky The Clown]

..... the usual suspects.

While Emmanual would not be my choice and is not my favorite guy his might be the only appointment that makes sense. The Chief of Staff is the guy that needs to get stuff done efficiently and, yeah, ruthlessly if need be. He's exactly that sort of no bullshit guy. Okayfine .... next.

But there are so many other people to choose from when we start looking to fill cabinet positions. I'd love to hear new names and see new faces.

As but one example, how about Susan Rice?



She has some serious experience and is surely ready for the top job at State. Best of all, she's not on the Usual List Of Suspects. So she'd be a great candidate, even as my own preference would be Wesley Clark.

Some others on this board today are mentioning FDIC head Sheila Bair for Treasury. Cool! Experiential depth and no slot on the Usual List Of Suspects.

No doubt people can come up with more seriously qualified people than we have slots to fill. The bench is deep. And this is the Change administration, then let's change.

Its time.

I cringe when I see people suggesting recycled presidential candidates and long time Washington political insiders. Bill Cohen. John Kerry. My favorite guy (not snark), Wes Clark. Bill Richardson. You know the list.

We are a nation of well more than three hundred million people. The few thousand inside Washington types are not the only ones who can do the jobs that need doing.

Not by a long shot.

[Taverner]

1. Carter and Clinton failed with their congressional majorities because they attacked insiders

Rather than working with them and bringing them in the tent

[Stinky The Clown]

2. Clinton's mistake was trying to use the cabinet to .... well .... pander.

I'm suggesting Obama pick the VERY BEST PERSON for the jobs at hand.

[Taverner]

3. Best for what though?

Best at negotiating? Best with skill? Best with knowledge? Best at getting others to do things (this is not a minus)?

Depends on the job

For COS I think Rahm is a great choice, and it keeps the party united.

I also think RFK Jr as EPA head is nothing short of best of all worlds

[Stinky The Clown]

5. The best for the jop at hand .....

We need different skills at Transportation and State ...... Interior and Labor.

And for DHS Secretary, I want someone who has a lot of experience at Going Out Of Business Sales.

[wryter2000]

4. John Dean for Attorney General n/t

n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Yeah, that would be a good choice