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

[denver]

Sorry about the spelling errors cant type today for some reason

[denver]

There is know question that barack wnats to move past the polorization an divide and fighting but I have not heard the majority of republicans say that,yes a few that are voting democratic this time but not the hard core ones who are furious with Mcain because they dont see him as conservitive enough,do you really thinj those people are going to join hands walk over to the dems and say lets work together..­.......giv­e me a break its just not going to happen,they have beem fighting there cause and building their base since Goldwater and they are not going to stop iver one election..This is where some people give some Barack supporters the brand neive.Not that its wrong to hope or want to come together but so far its the Barack people who are seeking this,I havnet heard any elected republican say there base wants this.I hardly doubt that Fox news,Rush,­Hanity,Cou­lter,Murdo­ch,and all the other talking influintial republicans and going to go away or jump on this bandwagon....I stated before I support Barack and lke him alot but I wont rant and rave about how crazy minded some of his supporters are and what they are expecting,but it will be interesting to come to this site lets say alomst a year into Baracks presidency and see what the tone is and how together we are politicaly

[Dragon5616]

All the more reason for Obama to work with the Republican moderates and isolate the wingnuts as the extremists they are.

[tbone99]

If only he would work with moderates , unfortunately these two are not.

[LaFeminazi]

Sisyphuss See Profile I'm a Fan of Sisyphuss
How is a vote on the Iraq war authorization relevant to your role as, say, Secretary of Agriculture?

Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:02 PM on 03/02/2008

Well I believe Triffids have taken over swathes of the Great plains.

How about terror alert. Sickly green for

Carnivorous Al Qaeda plants.

[Dragon5616]

Sorry, Femi, all the Bush cabinet posts are already filled.

[Sisyphuss]

LOL! Okay, okay.

[shinybear]

Well I guess the anti-war Republicans on Obama's cabinet will be better than the lobbyists in Clinton's.

I guess.

[shockmagog]

You see? That wasn't so bad.

But seriously, I hope all Obama supporters will not peel away wounded and hurt before the shit begins to spew full-force from the Republican lie machine after he's nominated.

[psfurlong356]

don't worry, we're loaded for bear!

[BWonka]

And better than McCrazy's HONORABLE lobbyist.

[the964kid]

its refreshing to see a would-be president thinking outside the box. we need to get government working for the american people again. and both dems and repubs need to accept that both sides are here and somehow need to work together - political gridlock doesn't help either side or the american citizens.

[IkeChicago]

There is no doubt that Sen. Richard Lugar is going to be in the Cabinet, the only question is to his position. This is payback for Lugar taking Obama under his wing when he got him on his committee, strange that a Freshman democrat would be taken so seriously and shepherded by a Republican Committee Chairman. Barack Obama was indeed fortunate to meet a Richard Lugar and be tutored by him.

[Dragon5616]

"There is no doubt that Sen. Richard Lugar is going to be in the Cabinet, the only question is to his position"

You have some proof of that or are you just talking out of your ass?

[IkeChicago]

I excuse you this one time, I suggest you look to Obama's ads where he mentions Lugar. Check the senate records and see the comradely between the two, student teacher. This is the last time I'm going to attempt to school you.

[accountability]

http://tinyurl.com/3bkzro

Some interesting info on Obama in Illinois politics.
Ponderously written with too much personal info on author but also has some info from other pol's in Ill and insight into meteoric rise and "bills passed."

[psfurlong356]

maybe Obama's been hypnotized by the Repub's ')

[suntzu]

For all you Hillary supporters, remember that Bill Clinton had a Republican Secretary of Defense: William Cohen

[accountability]

I remember, I liked it, showed an openness that I admire. I liked WC too. He wasn't a nut case that I could tell.
Didn't Clinton have some other Repubs in his inner circle? I seem to remember that but maybe not. Its all such a blur.

It was always said of Bill Clinton that he was a consensus builder. Its too bad that the "family Values"-far right evan's took over the House and Senate and weren't too into consensus. They were far more interested in creating a permanent Republican majority... which included getting rid of the Clinton's and getting even with Senator Clinton for Watergate in the bargain.

They sure are effective those guys.

[BWonka]

Wouldn't be surprised if that is the Republican that Obama would choose.

[TheRealist1]

Your point. This isn't about Bill or Hillary for that matter. That was a different time and place. That was before the Nuclear option threats, The Neo-con Supreme Court, and Bush Tax cuts.

So throw it against the wall and see if it sticks. That argument ain't ready.

[kevenhussienseven]

I'm sorry. This is just such perfect self-parody that I had to capture it and post it:

Danbury:

Snowe voted for the Iraq war resolution. Bad judgment. Can’t trust her. No way. Same with Hagel.

If you voted for the Iraq war resolution, you have bad judgment.

Posted 5:41 PM on 01/02/2008

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

LOL Danbury contradicts itself every day.

[kevenhussienseven]

That one is a doozy.

I intend she never live it down.

[beekeeper]

Sorry for the typos....oiy

[beekeeper]

Are you kidding when you say that the repubs are not the enemy? That they just see the country differently? Do differently that they have singly handedly have isolated and separated themselves from everyday hard working Americans. They have turned their back on the war and HOLDING this administration accountable. And Obama wants to put them in the cabinet ? Give me a break. They have controlled congress for years until recently and held all of us hostage for a very long time.

This upsets me greatly. I'd rather see some progressives and types that think outside the box.

[Dragon5616]

So you think there is not a single decent Republican in the country?

[YellerDawg]

Not in Congress, or they would have abandoned the party of hate long ago.

[borderorder]

Why not read the original article from Murdoch's rag, the Sunday TImes, before going apeshit.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3466823.ece

[beekeeper]

Uh, I didnt go apeshit. Nice try though

[ladygreenslippers]

yes, as a democrat, who is married to a republican i think they should all be sent back to - wait, they're Americans! they may think differently, but they're here, and it's called compromise - balance - absolute power corrupts absolutely - meeting on the half for ALL Americans.

[NotWaldo]

Ron Paul as Secretary of DeRepublic­anization.

[Sisyphuss]

Heh. Not bad.

[NotWaldo]

Aren't you a myth?

[TheRealist1]

Great, if you like anti-semite, universal health care hating, gay bashing, kkkers.

[KYJurisDoctor]

Obama has my ears now, pardon the pun!

http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2008/03/obama-promises-to-put-republicans-like.html#links

[tbone99]

Obamiatrons-Read it and weep

Richard Lugar is a Hard-Core Conservative.

r Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 0% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)

Rated 96% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 5% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes. (Dec 2003)

Rated 100% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record. (Dec 2002)

Rated 0% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 0% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 0% by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 12% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 25% by CURE, indicating anti-rehabilitation crime votes:

Voted NO on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)

[kevenhussienseven]

I'll remind Barack when I see him for drinks tonight.

[Dragon5616]

When did Obama appoint him to his cabinet? I missed that. He did work with Lugar to pass legislation to secure loose nuclear weapons in the former USSR.

[Sisyphuss]

"Rated 96% by the US COC"

Secretary of Commerce, then.

[shockmagog]

Jesus Effing Christ, people.

Once Obama is the nominee, he can't very well move to the left, now, can he?

He has to co-opt and he has to neutralize. Don't let your adulation be so weak and superficial that it can be wiped away with a slight spritz of realpolitik.

[YellerDawg]

Well, aren't you Clintonian. I thought Obama was something new.

[shockmagog]

I voted for Obama in the California Primary.

Obama IS something new! But he has to be elected first. Ideology gets things started. Pragmatism gets things done.

Besides, these are TRIAL BALLOONS. It's a lifetime to November.

[Dragon5616]

"We are not red states and blue states, we are the United States."

--Barack Obama

[LaFeminazi]

He can become Hillary

**snicker**

[tbone99]

Actually i was hoping he was trying to appear moderate to get elected, after which he could unveil his progressive agenda.. I had guessed the strategy, but in the wrong direction.

[HumeSkeptic]

Pick Republican Senators from all States that have Democratic Governors.. Make them Cabinet mebers, then fire them the day after they are confirmed.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Great idea!

[kevenhussienseven]

Just a shade devious.