Some People Here Continue To Find Fault, But That Doesn't Include Me

[Guest]

Barack Obama was supposedly an unacceptable candidate because he was inexperienced and not tough enough to fill the oval office. An "empty suit" some called him.

Now he's moving quickly to put together an administration comprised of experienced, tough people. He was accused of being weak in foreign relations, but he's already placed calls and had conversations with nine heads of state; more are scheduled for tomorrow. He was supposed not to have enough experience to be commander-in-chief. But David Petraeus as recently as this morning suggested publicly that conversations be initiated among the middle eastern countries to begin the process of tempering the potentially volatile situation in Iran. Will this include Iran? Syria? Petraeus wouldn't say "no" when asked directly. Was this somehow the result of Petraeus several-hour long conversation with Obama when he visited Iraq a couple weeks ago? Or is this something Petraeus has wanted to do but couldn't under policies of the current commander-in-chief?

Now the Republicans are complaining because of Obama's choice of Rahm Emanuel as his chief-of-staff. He's a tough guy...he won't be nice to us, the GOP says. Other cooler heads like the choice as a steel hammer inside Obama's velvet glove. Not the choice of an empty suit, for sure. Those that know Emanuel say he will be a powerful force in assuring the implementation of Obama's policies.

Speaking for myself--I know there will be some other frequent posters here that will disagree with knee-jerk speed--I'm liking the speed, organization, leadership and , yes, quiet toughness of our new President in managing the transition. We need a new Presidential administration that will hit the ground running to address the serious problems facing our country. We need a President who will surround himself with the best and most experienced minds the U.S. has to offer. He's picked a tough, experienced chief-of-staff and we can soon expect a new Treasury Secretary to begin to address the financial crisis facing the country, I'm sure.

So far, it looks like we're getting exactly what we need.

[Guest]

I sometimes read in the Political and lately do not post, while I have made my share of bad comments I have noticed it really does not make sense to argue with opionions of others. That said,
On this issue I really agree with you, most have said and probably still think it, and of course the jokes are rolling in. I believe Obama has begun and extensive process of putting people in the correct positions. I think his choice for C.O.S is dead on. Of course if your from the other side of the ball it is all wrong. I talked with Friends that i have in the Service and all look forward to him as Commander In Chief. With the swing states that turned Blue on Tuesday should show the whole world that we need support and believe in what happend in the election. The whole time i watch the results and listened to his speech, it did not really hit me what had happened historical wise. When i listen to Obama speak i dont hear Black or white. I hear a voice that believes we need to change our ways. I really liked when he said that it is up to us to make things change also. It is up to us to help our country save on energy and change the way we do things.
ALso after watching the news lastnight and this morning and seeing excatly what has been happening in the McCain Camp, i am glad i voted the way i did. There were alot of problems in that camp. we can now see the truth come out. McCain is a great man and military hero. I will leave it at that. Sorry for spelling, alittle early still.

[Guest]

Barack Obama was supposedly an unacceptable candidate because he was inexperienced and not tough enough to fill the oval office. An "empty suit" some called him.

Now he's moving quickly to put together an administration comprised of experienced, tough people. He was accused of being weak in foreign relations, but he's already placed calls and had conversations with nine heads of state; more are scheduled for tomorrow. He was supposed not to have enough experience to be commander-in-chief. But David Petraeus as recently as this morning suggested publicly that conversations be initiated among the middle eastern countries to begin the process of tempering the potentially volatile situation in Iran. Will this include Iran? Syria? Petraeus wouldn't say "no" when asked directly. Was this somehow the result of Petraeus several-hour long conversation with Obama when he visited Iraq a couple weeks ago? Or is this something Petraeus has wanted to do but couldn't under policies of the current commander-in-chief?

Now the Republicans are complaining because of Obama's choice of Rahm Emanuel as his chief-of-staff. He's a tough guy...he won't be nice to us, the GOP says. Other cooler heads like the choice as a steel hammer inside Obama's velvet glove. Not the choice of an empty suit, for sure. Those that know Emanuel say he will be a powerful force in assuring the implementation of Obama's policies.

Speaking for myself--I know there will be some other frequent posters here that will disagree with knee-jerk speed--I'm liking the speed, organization, leadership and , yes, quiet toughness of our new President in managing the transition. We need a new Presidential administration that will hit the ground running to address the serious problems facing our country. We need a President who will surround himself with the best and most experienced minds the U.S. has to offer. He's picked a tough, experienced chief-of-staff and we can soon expect a new Treasury Secretary to begin to address the financial crisis facing the country, I'm sure.

So far, it looks like we're getting exactly what we need.


Thus far he has done nothing to surprise me in anyway !!

He was elected President, and he has the right to do what he wants ! Actions are what we should use for measurement, not potential !

[Guest]

Interesting take from Bill Clinton's former adviser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIDWjXweFT8

[Guest]

Barack Obama was supposedly an unacceptable candidate because he was inexperienced and not tough enough to fill the oval office. An "empty suit" some called him.

Now he's moving quickly to put together an administration comprised of experienced, tough people. He was accused of being weak in foreign relations, but he's already placed calls and had conversations with nine heads of state; more are scheduled for tomorrow. He was supposed not to have enough experience to be commander-in-chief. But David Petraeus as recently as this morning suggested publicly that conversations be initiated among the middle eastern countries to begin the process of tempering the potentially volatile situation in Iran. Will this include Iran? Syria? Petraeus wouldn't say "no" when asked directly. Was this somehow the result of Petraeus several-hour long conversation with Obama when he visited Iraq a couple weeks ago? Or is this something Petraeus has wanted to do but couldn't under policies of the current commander-in-chief?

Now the Republicans are complaining because of Obama's choice of Rahm Emanuel as his chief-of-staff. He's a tough guy...he won't be nice to us, the GOP says. Other cooler heads like the choice as a steel hammer inside Obama's velvet glove. Not the choice of an empty suit, for sure. Those that know Emanuel say he will be a powerful force in assuring the implementation of Obama's policies.

Speaking for myself--I know there will be some other frequent posters here that will disagree with knee-jerk speed--I'm liking the speed, organization, leadership and , yes, quiet toughness of our new President in managing the transition. We need a new Presidential administration that will hit the ground running to address the serious problems facing our country. We need a President who will surround himself with the best and most experienced minds the U.S. has to offer. He's picked a tough, experienced chief-of-staff and we can soon expect a new Treasury Secretary to begin to address the financial crisis facing the country, I'm sure.

So far, it looks like we're getting exactly what we need.

As Pres-Elect, Mr. Obama should move forward with great speed. The transition time period is not very long, and there is a lot to put in place. There should be little in the way of position-vetting to do, as most of the Plum Book deals are usually cut prior to the election as means of getting support during the campaign. So, the key folk to fill cabinet-level positions and key agency spots should already be getting their affairs (especially their finances and housing) in order. The Departments and Agencies are waiting for these folk to show up, as transition support teams have already been formed and "caretaker" careerists are already in place in many spots to insure business continues without a hitch.

What is surprising is that "change" now seems to be planned by employing a bunch of the Bill Clinton "old guard." Is this to be a "Clinton-Lite" White House and cabinet staff or new faces with fresh ideas and outlooks?

When Pres. Bush picked a VP running mate and later several cabinet and agency heads who had spots under his father's administration, there were many loud screams from the Democrats against the choices. The arguments were centered around these appointees being G.H.W. Bush "old guard" who were out-of-step with the nation du jour. Experience as such did not seem to matter regarding the Bush appointees - past administrtion relationship was at that time considered detrimental by the "loyal opposition."

Regarding, Gen. Petraeus - he is a professional soldier who respects the chain-of-command. While wearing the uniform he can be expected to provide candid advice, but salute-and-go-forward with any direct order once received from the sitting Commander-in-Chief. The alternative is to resign and retire. He will not make any political comments while on active duty, as that goes against the Code of Conduct.

[Guest]

until then it is still political hype.
Promises kept is a measure politicians do not subscribe to as a performance indicator.
One year from today we will know if the right man is in the WH. Of course I do not expect he will have solved all the problems by then, but one year will tell the story.
Remember he inherits, among other things, a Congress with a single digit approval rating. The only hope there is that the STRICTLY PARTISAN leadership will get SOMETHING done now that the Dems will get all the credit....good or bad.

Promises kept....no excuses!!!

BTK