Obama Plans To Pick Republicans For Cabinet

Times Online:

AS Barack Obama enters the final stages of the fight for the Democratic presidential nomination, he is preparing to detach the core voters of John McCain, the likely Republican nominee, with the same ruthless determination with which he has peeled off Hillary Clinton's supporters.

The scene is set for a tussle between the two candidates for the support of some of the sharpest and most independent minds in politics. Obama is hoping to appoint cross-party figures to his cabinet such as Chuck Hagel, the Republican senator for Nebraska and an opponent of the Iraq war, and Richard Lugar, leader of the Republicans on the Senate foreign relations committee.

Read the whole story: Times Online

Comments

[ReneAlaCarte]

If Obama really wanted to reach out maybe he would consider Linda Sanchez . Now that would take cajones.

[psfurlong356]

only if we get her sister as well ;)

[psfurlong356]

okay, once and for all: would He pick Her and would she pick Him as VP?

[LoRiseAntlers]

They're not deities,you know.

[accountability]

no. no.
And neither would submit if asked.

or I guess I should say agree not submit.

maybe I'm wrong but I just don't see it.

Besides what would all those on the sides of each who really hate the other do.

Damn. did that sentence make any sense?
Everyone who is a Hillary supporter would blame Obama for anything that wasn't up to their standards.
Anyone who was an Obama supporter would be blaming Hillary for the same.

it won't ever end, will it?

[rivrgrrl]

Y'know, I really don't want to see either of them as VP. Each could do more and better work as senators. The VP position seems more for show and pomp. That would be a waste of the talents of the one not chosen as VP.

[KQuark]

How novel picking the best person for the job instead of people only loyal to Obama or the Democratic Party for that matter. The point here is that Bush did not give qualified Republicans cabinet jobs because even though they were Republicans they were not Bush loyalists and if they were Democrats they were not even considered. Bush filled all his jobs based on their personal loyalties to Bush only. For the sake of argument Hillary would only pick Hillary loyalists as well, based on the campaign staff she put together.

[SShaw490]

The presidency of George W Bush and Hillary's campaign are ample proof that picking people for jobs because they're loyal friends doesn't work.

[richardsgirl]

I agree KQuark. Senator Obama has promised change, and this would be the beginning of a change in our government that is desperately needed. We have witnessed failure from both Democrats and Republicans over the past eight years; yet, we have also witnessed individuals from both sides of the aisle who have attempted to make a positive difference in the politics and policies that have shaped our government, its relationship with the American people, and its relationship with our global neighbors. We can no longer afford to be so stuck in our partisan loyalties that we exclude the good people and the good minds that can restore the integrity of our government and of our country that has been forfeited by the current administration. I applaud Senator Obama for even considering the possibility of creating a bipartisan administration to serve the interest, not of one or the other party, but of the American people. Senator Obama has truly put America first.

[speakingtruth2power]

What is all this closing of comments?

If too many trolls are making too many outrageous and hateful comments, CUT THEM OFF!!!!

[hope]

Perhaps 14 of the 15 'real-humans' now moderating have the day off?

Have some consideration for the guy who drew the short straw.

[visions]

Obama's not going to get to the whitehouse to pick a cabinet.

[LoRiseAntlers]

I guess BillO's scaring them....

[NotWaldo]

Larry Craig, Under-Secretary of Airport Security.

[kevenhussienseven]

FISA UPDATE!

The House leadership is considering splitting up the Senate abomination in order to allow congressmen to trade votes (you vote yes on A, I’ll vote no, you vote no on B, I’ll vote yes) in order to give them cover to pass the entire bill.

Please read: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/1/175613/1399/825/467005

A list of Blue Dog Congressmen thought to be sympathetic to the concept of Telecom immunity is at: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/29/145640/493/398

Then call Pelosi, Hoyer, Conyers, some Blue Dogs and your own congressman and raise holy hell. Tell them that only the RESTORE act is acceptable.

From the article: “Under pressure to end an impasse over espionage legislation, House Democrats are considering a plan to vote on a bill next week that would give the government broad new eavesdropping authorities but strip out a provision that would protect phone companies from lawsuits.”

It is critical that you act tomorrow!

[KQuark]

Thanks for the info Kev. I like your new moniker wear it proudly.

[NotWaldo]

Condaleeza Rice as Secretary of Interior Decoration ?

[LaFeminazi]

Keeper of the ceremonial shoe store.

[borderorder]

If anyone has another source for this story could they share it? All I can find is The Sunday Times, Murdoch’s little UK rag http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3466823.ece

It seems suspicious. I would think something like this should be saved for after the primaries or better yet after the nomination is sewed up.

[borderorder]

I guess there is no other source then?

[LaFeminazi]

Paul Wolfowitz

Equal opportunities.

Richard Perle

Lost property.

[psfurlong356]

Scooter Libby designated skapegoat

[LaFeminazi]

Librarian, ssssh!

[NotWaldo]

Scooter Libby, Pardon Attorney.

[schoolmaster]

Obama's plan comes way ahead of his becoming president. This seems to be intended to split the republican voters. I am afraid, Obama is tieing himself up, as he can not remove a reoublican secretary of any porfolio as easily as a democrat.

[BWonka]

You are assuming he actually WOULD appoint a Rethuglican.

[nellie]

Clinton did.

[starboymikey]

Repeat after me, class. "Bill Clinton had a Republican in his first cabinet." If you want to use this as a last ditch rallying cry for Hillary, it won't wash.

[Groobiecat]

Um, that's not true. Yes, cabinet-secretaries have to be approved by Congress, but these people serve at the pleasure of the president. Period. He can remove them at will.

[LaFeminazi]

Gonzales.

Parking lot attendant

"What do you mean you don't recall where you parked your car!"

[shockmagog]

Rick Santorum:

Under Secretary of Human-Animal Hybrids

[BWonka]

Larry Craig:

Under-Sec't. of men's room attendants.

[psfurlong356]

Ann Coulter Good Will Ambassador

[LaFeminazi]

Michelle Malkin, Coulters assistant.

[TXfemmom]

All of the posters can just be pleased as punch, but I would not want a single treasonous, nasty, untrustowrthy Republican near this next administration.

There isn't a single one which hasn't supported Bush/Cheney by simply bearing the title Republican, and have voted for amny things which never should have been passed by Congress.

If Obama thinks that this shall please a good number of the Democrats which he needs, THEN THE MAN NEEDS SOMEONE TO SHAKE HIM AND STRAIGHTEN HIM OUT.

Bipartisanship with a group who do not have any honor, truth, morals, ethics or good in them is inviting the Devil to be in your midst.

[Covenant]

Hagel and Luger are not evil men. You shouldn't be so kneejerk--you need a majority or a coalition to pass things in congress. If you want to simply steamroll the Republicans you're going to need to elect a huge majority of dems to lower office. Until then, work together or don't work at all.

[rivrgrrl]

Well said.

[starboymikey]

Until then, work together or don't work at all.
______________________________________________________________

Let me hear you say "amen!"

[k6007]

I've watched Hagel on the floor, He is not the average Repub nut job.

[tbone99]

Oh you mean he's better than most at it?

He's voted with Bush 96% of the time

[BWonka]

William Cohen.

[Sisyphuss]

I'm willing to give him at least one term in office to begin showing positive results. We have to start somewhere, and I think Obama is the best choice at this time.

[tbone99]

Look what Bush did with one term.

You have to wonder if he's the best choice when he wants to appint not one, but two .hard core conservatives to his cabinent.

[detwob]

Yes.

Compromise on what???

Endless wars. Making abortion illegal. Transfering wealth to the super rich. Sending jobs to China. And on and on.

All the compromises mean WE LOSE! It's not time to compromise. It's time to take a stand. What's the next announcement we'll hear from the Democrat Lite Committee running the Obama campaign?

Obama/Lieberman '08 put a republican on the ticket. the obama faithful will be so happy!

[starboymikey]

Obama/Lieberman '08 put a republican on the ticket. the obama faithful will be so happy!
____________________________________________________________________

Your lack of political insight is exceeded only by your short memory. What would you say if Hillary named a Republican to *her* cabinet, as Bill did? Just becuse a partisan idiot like George W. Bush didn't name any Democrats to his cabinet, doesn't mean Obama has to go "nyahh, nyahh, nyahh" and be just as big a dickhead as Bush.

[denver]

This is not exactly ground breaking politics.Clinton's secretary of defense in his second term was a republican and George Bush has or has a democrat in his cabinet I cant rember his name but he is oriental and Clintons guy was William Coehn,these moves did not exacty make the partyies play well together and both were moderates of their party not left or right!!!!!!So no big deal has been done before ans will be done in the future

[Covenant]

And it was a good idea then. Bill really did have a good thing going for us. I wish Hillary had copied more of what he did, and just cut out the bad bits.

[kevenhussienseven]

One generally says Asian, these days, not oriental.....

[batmanindy]

Still time Ohio and Texas to stop this juvenile from becoming the nominee.

This is sadly not the most sophomoric comment from obama during the campaign but it is a whopper nonetheless. obama is just too naive and unseasoned for the role. McSham will crush him in th egenral election. We had better hope Hillary prevails before we lose the WHote House again in '08.

[Covenant]

It's a very Lincolnesque move. Definately a bold step forwards, and about time. Last thing we need is more gridlock.