I think Obama is following the 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer' rule of government. Hilary may not be an enemy but Old Bill certainly is. Having Hilary in the cabinet will, hopefully, stop him from trying to sabotage Obama's presidency. If he does get up to any shenanigans, Hilary will catch hell.
Ok, reading this article made me surprisingly very happy about this lineup. So let me have one moment of happiness here before I return to attempting to be cautious about this whole thing:
Janet Napolitano, I totally salute you. But I honestly think the DHS needs to be abolished/totally redesigned. Can you work on that for me? THANKS.
His appointment of Susan Rice as UN ambassador bodes EXTREMELY well for our future working with the international community. I am breathing a huge sigh of relief on that one after the John Bolton days.
@J.D.Regent: Yes indeed. The Bolton era of "diplomacy" could not end soon enough for anyone's liking. Perhaps we can now take a true leadership role in the U.N. again?
@PilgrimSoul: totally. If I had a nickle for every time I fantasized about using my bic to light his mustache on fire... But even beyond that this suggests that Obama is taking the UN more seriously than probably any other American president has. Susan Rice is a serious serious appointment.
@J.D.Regent: Yeah, not sure about Rice. I think she was the one who made that infamous comment about noting calling the genocide in Rwanda a genocide because that would make the US look bad for not doing anything. I think one of the jackass State Department people in "Sometimes in April" was even based on her. Correct me if I'm wrong on this point, I don't have time to do comment research right now.
@ALittleBitGothic: I'm not saying she's my best friend or anything, just that she is an extremely trusted advisor to Obama who was earlier floated as Sec of State candidate so it shows he is taking the role of Ambassador to UN very seriously.
@J.D.Regent: RIght, I know. Why am I feeling like this? Is it because we know how the Clintons can be and how they always want the spotlight? I love HRC, but I am afraid this won't turn out well. What is the DEAL, J.D.?
@J.D.Regent: I did hear somewhere that she is really into reorganizing the funding of the U.S.'s foreign policy efforts - i.e. tipping the cookie jar towards diplomacy and such.
I think I understand what he was thinking with this and I certainly don't think it's going to be a disaster or anything. She just seems so strong on domestic issues and it seems like most of the people who supported Obama over her were motivated at least in part by the differences in their approaches on foreign policy issues. That said I realize the space between their positions is mainly miniscule and it won't make a huge difference probably. Honestly I just think we are losing a great powerhouse in the legislative branch and I wonder where she will go after this.
@PilgrimSoul: yeah I have no doubt that diplomacy in general will improve dramatically. She is a very good team player and obviously insanely capable at whatever she does.
I keep reading Janet Napolitano as Johnnette Napolitano, and then I find myself gripped by a sudden urge to yell "HEEEEEEEEEYYYYY, HEEEEEEEY, I SAID HEY, I SAID HEY, WHAT'S GOING' ON?"
Speaking of rainbows and unicorns, this nomination will continue a decade-long succession of African-Americans and women in the Office of the Secretary of State (assuming one has not already symbolically revoked Condi's black card and/or vadge). I have to say I'm pleased about that!
Well if this means she & bill shuttup and toe the line, then whatever. But her constant leaking of info is totally not playing by the 'no drama' rules. Strike one.
I heard a bit on NPR last week about how AZ Democrats are pissed that Janet Napolitano was going to become Secretary of Homeland Security, because she served as a backstop against the Republican-controlled assembly. Of course, my reply to this was: boo-hoo. If you got a Democrat elected Governor once, do it again. If you don't want Republicans to be in control of the state house, then help get them voted out. I think the Obama victory showed that if you put enough effort into it, you can accomplish a lot politically. Of course, Arizona is pretty conservative.
@NefariousNewt: Mr. Crabby was disappointed in this pick cause she was the best shot at ousting McCain from his Senate seat and whoever gets to choose her replacement is Republican? I'm not sure about the last part, I don't live in AZ and I don't know how it works. I'm off to search...
@Crabby Cakes wants some Dance Biscuits.: Living in Arizona, I can tell you that the now seated Secretary of State, Jan Brewer (R), will automatically ascend to the Governorship until 2010. At that time, we Dems are free to elect a new Democratic Governor. Keep in mind that Napolitano replaced a Republican Governor. We're not all that Democratic leaning here.
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[www.nytimes.com]
YES YES YES. YES to that entire article.
Also. The UN Ambassador is apparently moving up to a cabinet-level position again. Which is excellent news.
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His appointment of Susan Rice as UN ambassador bodes EXTREMELY well for our future working with the international community. I am breathing a huge sigh of relief on that one after the John Bolton days.
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on the other hand, I hate everyone this year.
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oooh, oooh, oooh, Joey, I'm not angry anymooooorrre.
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Beat that.
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I don't know why. It doesn't even make sense. It just looks like they're gonna make out in that picture.
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A- Barillary
B- Blintoma
C- Harackary
D- Hillrack
E- Clinbama
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For everyone who is begrudgingly accepting this, all I have to say is, Obama is no fool.
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will be.
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:-)
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I heard the same story and had the same reaction...
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