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Presidents typically say they want to be surrounded by strong-willed people who have the courage to disagree with them. President-elect Barack Obama, reaching out to Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republicans, actually might mean it.
Abraham Lincoln meant it. He appointed his bitter adversaries to crucial posts, choosing as war secretary a man who had called him a"long-armed ape" who"does not know anything and can do you no good."
You could say his Cabinet meetings were frank and open.
Richard Nixon didn't mean it.
"I don't want a government of yes-men," he declared. But among all the president's men, those who said no did so at their peril. He went down a path of destruction in the company of sycophants.
It so happens that Obama and New York Sen. Clinton share a reverence for"Team of Rivals," Doris Kearns Goodwin's book about how Lincoln brought foes into his fold. Clinton listed it during the campaign as the last book she had read. Obama, clearly a student of Lincoln, spoke of it several times.
The President, as per its fiduciary duty should select the best for the delineated agenda and the dominating foreseeable issues to develop relevance during the term to come. That being said, it is a well balanced government were there is a challenge of ideas that the enable the informed decision be debated amongst counter-point examination. Perhaps, the President may not make the selection for the standing rivalry of ideologies but for all the aforementioned reasons.
Euribiades Cerrud II, Esq. -
11/22/2008
The President, as per its fiduciary duty should select the best for the delineated agenda and the dominating foreseeable issues to develop relevance during the term to come. That being said, it is a well balanced government were there is a challenge of ideas that the enable the informed decision be debated amongst counter-point examination. Perhaps, the President may not make the selection for the standing rivalry of ideologies but for all the aforementioned reasons.
Arnold Shcherban -
11/21/2008
A political leader has to be a man of principles (whichever he cherishes) if
he strives for a real "change" he claims to. Provided he is there just to please all interests involved, i.e. "to unite", playing "fair and balanced" game, he will certainly end up to accomplish little, if anything.
For ultra-rights, like Bob, Obama is a socialist on one main reason: he wants just slightly to lessen the burden of the overwhelming majority on the account of the very small super-rich minority. But even this "slightly" term envokes screams of hell in the throats of that minority and their ideological companions. Why? The answer is not a necessity or the upcoming advance of socialism, but their supergreed.
As far as it concerns guns, we will see how Bobs of this country will protect themselves from the new "bad government" they obviously hate that
is going to raise taxes on them using personal firearms (the major argument traditionally envoked by the gun lobby in favor of the armed citizenry.)
I personally doubt Obama's administration will be able to advance any highly significant economic, social, or political change.
So, unfortunately, my advise to Bobs is going to be: calm down; noone will hurt your interests, or your obsolete Constitutional articles.
Edrene S McKay -
11/21/2008
Enjoy your guns and cigarettes!
Edrene S McKay -
11/21/2008
Yes, Obama should appoint a "Team of Rivals" if he is so inclined. He has an uncanny way of doing the right thing (e.g., despite criticism during the campaign, he continued to be thoughtful, deliberate, and intellectual; he ran a positive rather than a negative campaign; and he refused to fight back against his Republican opponents). What he wants more than anything is to eliminate the divisiveness in politics so he can get things done. This might be the way to do it.
Richard W. Etulain -
11/19/2008
Appointing a team of rivals would be very helpful for the country, allowing them to see that we can be bipartisan, as we have been infrequently in our political past. DK Goodwin's wonderful book, Team of Rivals, shows that it was possible for Lincoln, a model for us in so many ways.
John R. Huff Jr. -
11/17/2008
I understand your reasoning, but he doesn't need to go too far on this.
John R. Huff Jr. -
11/17/2008
Perhaps not rivals but maybe a few more conservative ones to keep a good dialogue with.
John Murrin -
11/17/2008
We've had eight disastrous years of a President who only wanted to hear from people who already agreed with him. Lincoln created a team of rivals. Washington tried to keep both Hamilton and Jefferson in his cabinet. Obama is aiming high in following their example.
Matthew Haas -
11/17/2008
The better selections may include political rivals.
Cynthia -
11/17/2008
Bob,
You must have a crystal ball. Buy a lottery ticket.
Lee -
11/17/2008
I believe he should fill his administration with the brightest, best thinkers of our times, reguardless of party affiliaion.
Bob -
11/17/2008
You must be joking. That socialist Obama has an agenda and nothing is going to get in this guys way. He is going after your money, your guns, your cigaretts, anything he thinks you should not have and your freedom of speech. That is what socialist liberals do.
America, you are in for a big unpleasant surprise. It still rings painfully in my ears; "God bless America? No, no, no, Goddamn America! This is the man you liberal morons elected to the highest post in the free world. Well, free for now anyway.
Sterling Fluharty -
11/17/2008
I think Obama can handle himself around just about anyone. As long as we can trust his cabinet members, I don't think we will have much to worry about.
