Anti-War Activists Worried Obama Betraying Them With Hawkish Cabinet

LA Times:

Antiwar groups and other liberal activists are increasingly concerned at signs that Barack Obama's national security team will be dominated by appointees who favored the Iraq invasion and hold hawkish views on other important foreign policy issues.

The activists are uneasy not only about signs that both Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates could be in the Obama Cabinet, but at reports suggesting that several other short-list candidates for top security posts backed the decision to go to war.

Read the whole story: LA Times

Comments

[Chapmanp2]

Having tough people in these posts is smart. It sends a message of strength & that's the best place to negotiate from, for PEACE. The early indicators are that Obama will keep his word about getting out of Iraq & doing what is necessary to put an end to the debacle in Afghanistan... The Gates thing I'm hoping (if true about him staying on) would be temporary to help ease the transition.

[23000Days]

I would not pretend to know all there is to know about the security intracies of the current wars, or the availability of qualified personnel for key defense posts. I suspect that to be true of most of us. That's why I voted for Obama, to make the decisions he feels are right.

I do know that Wes Clark cannot serve until 2010 because of service rules.
I have some sense that Clinton may not take the SOS post, which would leave it to Richardson.

We elected the man, so for pete's sake, let's trust him!!!

[bobilore]

Wes Clark IS the right person for Sec'y of State. Is it because he is a retired General that people can only seem to imagine him at the Pentagon. He is a brilliant and progressive diplomat as well.
He did a lot of negotiating and alliance building while Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, and he's highly respected around the world as being willing to listen to all points of view and not fall victim to ideology. Above all, he is a diplomacy first - military force only as a last resort kind of guy.
That is especially potent coming from someone who has been shot several times in combat.
His extensive inside knowledge of how the military works is just what we need to gracefully exit Iraq and resolve conflicts with Afghanistan/Pakistan/Al Qaeda, Iran, Syria, Columbia, and of course, Israel/Palestine. All trouble spots stuck in armed conflict and desperate for tough diplomacy from a progressive American administration. President Obama will be very well served and advised by Wesley Clark as Secretary of State.

[NickNas]

Let me DUMB this down for the TR0//S ok?

TRUE Power of this Nation is in the fact that we have always been prepared to and CAPABLE of wiping out any threat to our nation in the Blink of an eye.

BUT we have only used it when ABSOLUTLY necessary and the WORLD respected us for it.

Obama is simply rebuilding BOTH parts of our honorable reputation that has been PIMPED by Bush and his twerps.


You people are just as ignorant and immature as Bush and Cheney, you think because you CAN you SHOULD go around being a Bully and mouthing off all over the place. That was NEVER what this great Country was about.


GROW – UP or SHUT - UP

[23000Days]

AMEN!!

[wdw102]

the wonderful thing is that i can "mouth off" anytime i feel like it.....i will do everything legal to obstruct b o's plans to socialize my country........things are already in the works

[theone718]

I gurantee you don't know what socialism means. You lost by a landslide dude, deal with it.

[mirage2008]

Hey it's a Repug! Everybody point and laugh!
LOLOLOLOLOL

[MossyOak]

You really bought into that socialism thing? You must be a real genius.

[Hawka]

Given how little your mind seems to be working, I'm not very concerned about your 'things' And I think its about time our government started actually doing its job for once and served the public interest. So beg pardon if I don't give you much stock or leeway on the matter, where you either get on board or get run over. Personally, I hope you stick to the latter.

[republifornian]

c'mon people I didnt vote for obama, but he will be potus so give him a freakin chance to get into office before you start slamming him, this does no good for any of us, repub or dem.

[mirage2008]

"I didnt vote for obama,"

Hang your head in shame. Wrong side of history, wrong side of humanity.

[canucklivinginUSA]

I think he has a lot of guts to admit that he didn't vote for Obama and to not partake in the bashing that the Dems seemed to take pleasure in right now

[canucklivinginUSA]

You are absolutely right. What you are witnessing here though, is Dems not accustomed to winning acting like sore winners. Its fascinating to say the least

[sueno]

Everyone needs to relax!
We all have to take a different look at what we see as Obama's gov't.
Obama's biggest problem now is delivering on what he promised-
To do that he has to bring in heavy hitters to combat the "meat-headz" of the GOP.
Hillary can't manage health care, but she can "bully" others, pretty well.
So far, all of his current picks are way-better than any of Bush's picks-
Let's not cry about, but make sure we get what we need.....

[alenaspoppa]

The Progressive Left can be just as closed-minded and alarmist as the Regressive Right is. Progressives squawked about our current insular President being surrounded by "Yes Men" and cronies and now we're squawking about Obama surrounding himself with people who may have divergent viewpoints? I think that President-Elect Obama is showing a tremendous amount of self-confidence and strength by making sure that he hears the various arguments for and against each course of action prior to making a decision. I have a tremendous amount of confidence in his leadership.

[wdw102]

good liberals eat your own.....

[mirage2008]

Hahaha funny coming from a Repug, aren't you guys in a virtual civil war?

Republican Party RIP 2008 XD

[alenaspoppa]

I'm sorry, has no one informed you of your irrelevance yet?

[canucklivinginUSA]

Damn, I got to agree with you again. I feel dirty

[Hawka]

Okay, we'll do that. BTW, how's the Wasilla Hill-Billy doing these days? I hear there's mighty fine eating of moose-hunter cuisine over at the GOP dinner table these days.

[canucklivinginUSA]

Jeez, I KNOW! I have never seen a more pathetic bunch. Sore winners I tell ye, sore winners. This is what we need to get rid of, this sickening ideological streak that is ingrained in politics

[alenaspoppa]

Bingo. And that's the change that Obama's promising. I hope he can deliver.

[mcantwell]

I see the RedState and Rush/Hannity lovers made it back to HuffPo.

[teron678]

Obama never said he was anti-war .. he said he was against stupid & unnecessary wars ... that's why he opposed the Iraq War ...

& secondly Obama would be the one deciding if the US should engage in war or not .. NOT his Cabinet ..

He will get advice & intelligence from his cabinet but .. he will be the one making the final decision ..

[kristycu]

you are correct on all fronts

[wdw102]

well you clowns wanted change.......... so bo changed on you........

laughing

[alenaspoppa]

Ah, the sweet sounds of an angry little backwards and ignorant ideology in it's death throws...

It's music to my ears.

[wdw102]

well good

[Jaybot]

Feeling abused? Buck up, this is the 'change you can believe in'. Fools.

[teron678]

the 1st change was making you folks do some soul searching ... more to come ..

[meleon]

I guess it's like Christmas morn for you, wdw102 and others who've been wandering the losing side of the landscape waiting for a snowflakes chance in hell sized something something to complain about.

[wdw102]

of course.......obstruction is the way.......i agree.........company policie changes......a few layoffs.......change in employment status for my highly compensated employees including myself and family.......

[mcantwell]

How easily people forget that nearly EVERYONE in Washington, including the American Public initially supported George Bush's War in Iraq. Why? Because we were all duped into believing there were WMD's in Iraq.

[kristycu]

thank you, there was barely a handful of people who did not support the war. i think a great number of them now do regret that

[harriscrl3]

I wish peole would LISTEN to Obama when he was speaking on the campaign trail and hear what he is saying rather than their own narrow ideology. The guy said he hates YES men he doesnt like people who agrees with him he makes the best decision when he is surrounded by people who DISAGREE with him. Obama is not a pacifist he told them that straight up something they dont listen to. What he did say that before he sends sons and daughters to war that he would make sure that its the the last option thats available. You dont need an anti war cabinet you need people who will give you ACCURATE information. Obama has a strong mind he doesnt enter into decisions easily he thinks things through. I wish folks would stop acting liek he is some weak minded fool who is going to be easily led by hawks.You trust the guys judgement why have you stopped all of a sudden when he hasnt backed off any of his policies. Thats how he works he likes people that dont agree with him.

Carol

[wdw102]

i agreed that he will cause change........i will be laughing at the change........ you clowns are the ones that wanted him........deal with it

[kristycu]

what are you talking about, you are not making any sense, and carol is right, people don't listen. they hear what they want and that is the problem

[terry52]

It was the religious evangilical right who wanted that war, there were many republicans who did not think it was good for the region, or for our country, even former members of bush senior's cabinet. If anything we have learned from this administration is never listen to people who claim to be religious, because they are like jesus said, "SHEEP IN WOLVES CLOTHING". The evanglicials believed that it was gods war, Can you believe that? More reason for religion not to be intertwined with politics. I just wonder what bible they are reading.

[canucklivinginUSA]

And I will laugh at you when you are left behind

[canucklivinginUSA]

Some of them really need to go back and read his book, and listen to his speeches. Seriously, what a bunch of idiots

[MasterHurrikane]

The Progressive Left needs to chill and give stuff time to develop. There is a reason he is smarter than most of his critics..... that has already been shown.

[viflyer]

I tend to agree with you. After all, he isn't even in office yet. There will be plenty of time to see what kind of issues/ initiatives he takes onb a whole host of issues. But then again, there is nothing wrong with speaking out against his cabinet choices. We need to let him know what we think from the very beginning.

[wdw102]

there is nothing wrong with just plain obstruction of bo

[wdw102]

when?

[DBJ]

I totally agree. People just need to chill and let the man have some time to prove himself and do the job. He's not even in there yet and they are already harping on every little thing he does.

[theone718]

Everyone loves to worry. Obama sets the agenda, they set ou to implement HIS plans, PERIOD.

[harriscrl3]

They dont listen thats the problem. They guy said over and over he makes the best decisions when he is not surrounded by people who agree with him. Folks who work with him for years say that Obama doesnt change his mind he is very rigid in his views. He wants to make sure that he is making the right decision and if you already know what you want why put people who are just going to support that isnt it better to get dissenting opinions to make sure you are making the right decision it doesnt mean you are going to change your mind. Folks need to trust him he hasnt done anythign yet thats cause for concern because this is stuff he said on the campaign trail.

Carol

[wdw102]

yes plans........socialism in play.........wow......looks like obstruction is the way now

[kristycu]

this is funny considering the bush admin just nationlized some of the banks, funny how hypocracy works

[PersonaNonGrated]

If they were really expecting Obama to tap Dennis Kucinich to be Secretary of Hugs and Cute Little Bunnies, they really have nothing to blame but their own hyperactive idealism.

[chuk98death]

LOL. Good point

[canucklivinginUSA]

HAHAHAHAH. Oh man, I can already see it, elvish Kucinich delivering the Hallmark Cards to Heads of States