Barack Obama has decided that he is going to try to shoot the moon. He is going to try to expand the tent and see if he can get everyone to buy into his ideas for reform. If it works, everyone will be invested into the change that's coming. If it doesn't, then his administration might spin out of control.
The old saying is that you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I don't really believe that. How did that work out for Julius Caesar? It worked to the tune of about eight daggers in his back the minute he turned around. His enemies were so close they were in stabbing distance.
I was most concerned about this when Obama pressed Senate Democrats to keep Joe Lieberman in his Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee Chair. That's the committee that would "investigate" Obama if things went wrong.
Lieberman never thought it was worthwhile to investigate Bush, including the Hurricane Katrina response (even though this was one of his campaign promises). But Republicans investigated Bill Clinton's Christmas card list and his cat, literally. You think Lieberman won't side with Republicans if it suits his political advantage to start a nonsense investigation of Obama? Then you don't know Lieberman at all.
Now, Obama has selected Robert Gates as the Secretary of Defense and Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. I'm not sure which one is more right-wing in foreign policy. Don't get me wrong, I think Gates was an excellent Secretary of Defense and the Clintons are a welcome face for the rest of the world. In fact, now that he got rid of John Brennan at the CIA, I don't necessarily disagree with any of his picks.
It's easy for me to agree with him because I'm a moderate and his picks are decidedly centrist. I wouldn't have wanted a purely progressive cabinet. I value diversity of opinion. Though I do think that part of that diversity should be the inclusion of at least a few strong progressive voices in this "Team of Rivals." The one I would strongly suggest is Howard Dean. The man has been right about just about everything, it might make sense to seek his advice and counsel.
So, why am I concerned about Obama's cabinet and staff? It's Washington. They play hardball here, and the leaks come fast and furious. Once the Fox News Channels and the Rush Limbaughs set in and dissension starts, it could get ugly. It's imperative that Obama run a tight ship, and if need be, make an example out of someone early. In other words, if someone is leaking news for internal advantage within the cabinet, get rid of them publicly to let others know that you are here to do the people's business not seek personal political gain.
In the end, if Obama is strong and wise, he can pull it off. He can get varied, interesting, thoughtful advice from all of these folks. And they can all unite to lead the country in a different direction. I have faith that this is the more likely outcome. But it's not a blind faith. Keep everyone close; just don't turn your back.