Obama Forming Progressive Team -- In White House Staff

Washington Independent:

While liberal critics sound increasingly uneasy with President-elect Barack Obama's nominations of centrist, Clinton-era Democrats to Cabinet positions, some are overlooking how Obama has also been assembling a tight progressive cadre to serve with him in the White House.

Progressive blogs are buzzing about Obama's Cabinet picks, including big-name hires -- and likely hires -- such as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Defense Sec. Robert Gates and New York Fed President Timothy Geithner, a protege of former Secretary Treasury Lawrence Summers under President Clinton, also an Obama economic adviser. To some irritated observers, these faces aren't just a return to a previous time but an unwelcome move to the right of Obama's campaign positions. ...

But Obama's recent White House appointments include progressive voices in key positions. Their views strongly coincide with those progressives who are expressing concern about the president-elect's Cabinet choices.

Read the whole story: Washington Independent

Comments

[tel8034]

To: The Naysaying Observers,

Let's make a deal ..........­..........­...... When all of you stop being backseat drivers and actually get up the nerve to run for the office of POTUS and actually win, we will all sit back and allow you to pick the most perfect cabinet and WH team without any criticism from us.

But until that time, the peanut gallery comments are not necessary.

Either put up or shut up.

[Rule Of Law]

Obama's a constitutional law professor. When he appoints someone to head a committee to investigate the breaches of constitutional law under Bush, and says to the American People that he supports each and every guarantee of freedom in it and will work to return this country to the rule of law, by and for the people, Then I will know that he is truly working for me and every other citizen in the revolutionary progressive spirit America was founded on.

[anney]

Obama may investigate the Bush administration crimes, but he's already said he won't prosecute the lawbreakers. That is NOT a return to the Constitutional rule of law.

[Rule Of Law]

It saddens me.

[Bitsko]

Nothing personal, but in what administration did that ever happen?

[ObjectiveRealist]

As President, I believe he will not obstruct justice, but it will still be up to us to pursue justice. His grassroots campaigning has taught us how to do it. If we fail to learn from him, it is our fault.

[JScott]

Sounds like some folks are startin to act like the GOP did, hope they realize if they do, that
what the results will be.

[DuPageDem]

Biggest problems facing this country are the rule of law, the economy and foreign policy. No progressives in sight on those issues. Republicrats get the meat, and progressives get the bone -- again -- and should shut up and be happy about it.

[terragazelle60]

What are you talking about? Obama's Domestic Policy is led by a Uber Progressive. Did you not read the full article? He is surrounding himself with Liberals for Healthcare, tax reform, education, even someon from the Union... and if you did not pay attention to what he said during the campaign...he said he was going through ALL the laws passed and if they were not constitutional they would go.

So what do you want him to do? He is not even oathed in yet and their is gripeing from the left. I swear I have been a Progressive since before most of you were born...what have you done but whine? Have you done anything to help make the changes?,that is except sign online petitions or send a chain email? I never felt that Bush cared a fig about me...he never wanted to be my president and he never made the try to care about me...Obama will be everyone's President. Is what we want what the Republicans do? To care only about their people? You think that Obama will get a second term without being everyone's President, you think without getting a majority of the people behind him anything will get done?

[rageagainstmachine]

Thank you! I'm tired of all the whining. Some of these same folks were saying he was going to lose the election for not being tougher on McCain and second guessed him from Iowa to Nov 4th. Can the man get in office first and let's see what he does before boarding the complain train? He is the President-elect of the United States - not the PE of the Progressive Movement. He's more than earned my trust and confidence.

[MoeB]

Agreed! Excellent post.

Sometimes I cannot help but think that maybe (just maybe) right-wingers have a small point when they state that liberals want their government to do everything for them. It's ok to hold your leaders accountable for their actions, but he's not even sworn in yet, and already *some* progressives are all up in arms because he didn't pick a person who claims to be a progressive. WTF? Above all else, I want a competent government who won't have Katrina's happen on their watch (and do nothing about it). Who won't read while the country is being attacked. Who won't fill important government positions with cleaning ladies, horse judges, and basic dummies.

Second, err, Hillary is a LEFTY! Why have we bought into this whole "team of rivals" MSM garbage? Do we not remember back in the primaries, that HRC and BO weren't that far off on nearly EVERY issue?

Lastly, you are correct in saying that he needs to govern for EVERYONE, not just those on the left. Jeesh. Are we one country or several?

[DuPageDem]

Yeah, I read the article. I read other things too. Like how HRC voted for the war, even though she knew better, based on pure politics. And Gates is an Iran-Contra criminal. And Holder greased Chiquita's prosecution for payments to Columbian death squads, as well as the Marc Rich pardon. That's not a cabinet I can believe in.

You and I apparently disagree on the influence and powers of cabinet vs. staff members. That's the way it's supposed to work here. If every comment came from the Obamabot echo chamber, things would become mighty dull.

[Xgal08]

I'm not surprised about this at all. Progressives are going to have a say in this administration. Those so called "progessives" that continue to whine about Obama's choices need to calm down and trust him already! Geez!

[Hawka]

Whose ultimately in charge of all that though? Why the President!!

[Rog49Thomas]

As "St." Ronnie said "Trust but verify".

No leader should be above the people.

No leader should ever be immune from criticism and being asked hard questions.

And to quote another "Saint": "The will of the people shall be the law of the land".

[nomobull]

yeah but he's already proven himself now let him do his job

[ensure]

Whitley Man Demands Proof of Obama's US Birth:

A Whitley County truck driver has filed a demand that President-elect Barack Obama prove he is a natural-born U.S. citizen - one of the requirements to become president. Fourty-sev­en-year-ol­d Daniel John Essek filed a demand last week that Obama provide a copy of his birth certificate to a federal judge in London for verification.

More details: http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/12/whitley-man-demands-proof-of-obamas-us-birth.html

[harriscrl3]

Who cares its going to get toss out. Obama doesnt owe these people squat much less have his birth certificate looked at. Have you nothing better to do. I'm still waiting for proof that Bush and Cheney belong to the human race.

Carol

[jeg]

This is at least the third or fourth case... all of which boil down to insufficient grounds to bring the case to court.

[chriss0114]

Yeah? Well I want to see the plaintiffs papers first!

[FaceYourFears]

I sure hope Barack will provide the certificate to get this over and behind him.....

[TwentyCharactersLong]

The "Clinton retread" angle is getting annoying. Let me remind you that Clinton managed to carry out a centrist agenda against Newt Gingrich and Tom DeLay. Obama will be carrying out his agenda with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.

[denver]

This is key people pay close attention.His staff are the ones who will help draft policy and what legislation to send to the hill,the cabinet will have influance and advise,but his white house staff is very very important.This should satisfy the finicky lway lefties.I hopeHe is living up to his promise he is bringing in a lot of different thinkers to advise and then he makes the final decision...

[bygollymissmolly]

It has always been my contention that Obama is hiring experienced people for the front line and he will have his progressive team as backup. Once the progressive team gets some experience in Washington and some of this country's problems have been solved, those now experienced progressives will be advanced to the front line.

I am glad that Obama is pragmatic enough to put experienced people into his cabinet so that he can hit the ground running. He has a huge mess Bush is leaving him, a mess that's getting bigger daily. He's going to need experienced people to clean up that mess before he can really start to advance his agenda.

[canucklivinginUSA]

Bowers is proving my point that progressives are never going to be satisfied and will still whine. Its pretty sad, really

[PATina]

What's really sad (imo) is how easy it is to satisfy some people. You can just make their day by giving them an old bone.

[alenaspoppa]

No, the original poster was right. Let Obama make his appointments and then allow them to act in office before you start whining and protesting every move he makes. Unless you're psychic...then by all means, go ahead and whine about the mistakes yet to be made.