While most of the Obama picks for his administration officials are very good choices, there are a few with 'spots'..........So what will happen now? Those who opposed a Democrat for president will quite naturally pounce on those, try to dig them out, and hold them up to the world as 'evidence' that his administration is not lacking in 'corruption'.

But one has to admit, that this fresh barrel of apples, certainly smells a whole lot better than the one that was finally gotten rid of.

So that alone, is quite refreshing, and holds out hope for change, discipline, and a whole new way of dealing with the everyday life of leadership.

Change doesn't come easily. It takes time. Nor does it come to everyone, since old habits are indeed hard to break.

It takes great effort on the part of everyone, to create change for the better. We will probably never have a better chance to 'change' during our individual lifetimes, than right now.

And what a way to get involved, and be a part OF....just by changing.

My sermon for the day. The sun is shining, and the backyard fence needs finishing, so you know where I'm going to be today.

Have a good day, all of you,and don't waste it on pettiness and frowns....For those who have a problem with my 'leaving' the board, and now, showing up here today, I say 'Get Over It'...for in the end, only a FOOL doesn't change his mind.

Loree

Overall, I think he's put in place a good team. I would have switched the VP and Sec of State, and I'm not that fond of the Geitner and Daschle picks, but he's made a lot of really strong selections. Now the question is how well they execute.

You know, at first I thought maybe he got the lead pair in the team 'switched' a bit...but then I started asking myself 'why' Hillary is Secretary of State, so that got me to thinking about Condi. That IS a very important position, especially when it comes to smoothing the turbulent waters of us and the rest of the world. And as secretary of State, Hillary doges indeed have the expertise of an inside track, with Bill there for consulting with. Both are well traveled (a lot more than Biden) so I am thinking (just my opinion) that Obama knew exactly what he was doing, and put both Biden and Hillary, in positions where they could strut their stuff, and draw on their experience.

Biden's big thing is that he is a real contrast to Obama, but both of them are full of respect for others, including understanding any criticism they may relay to each other. That goes a long way to avoiding the pitfall that GW suffered from...where Cheney held the reins and Bush had all HE could do, just hanging ON!

Thanks for a very nice, honest reply:-)

Loree

saying the wrong thing and/or too much. That probably would not be a good trait for Sec of State. As VP he can be kept on a shorter leash.

Hillary is right where she needs to be.She is perfect for the face of this Country.Both her and her husband are widely respected all over and she will make us look much better.

I am also impressed with Mitchell,who ended the Ireland situation that had gone on for 300 years.

Holbrook is a champion in his field and Biden is working to save the middle class.

This is the first time Daschle made such a stupid mistake,because he was a great Leader in the Senate.Anyone notice Bob Dole sitting beside him at the hearing?That tells me he is very respected. Harry Reid does not hold a candle to Daschle.

And Boehner and Pelosi could both take leave.

I agree with everything you said...can't argue with you on this one... ;)

SG

Loree:

Have a good day, all of you,and don't waste it on pettiness and frowns....For those who have a memory of my 'leaving' the board forever yesterday, and now, showing up here today, I say 'Get Over It'...for in the end, only someone that isn't a lying KFS circle-jerker doesn't change his mind for a cheap emotional payoff.

Loree

So far I am really happy with what Obama has stated as his position and his goals. I was really impressed the day he addressed The State Dept. employees under HRC. Great goals..very inspiring stuff..and she has a fanatstic team with Holbrook and Mitchell.

I am not so sure I like this Rahm Emmanuel with his hard ball tactics and having sent that fish wrapped in paper to an enemy. That just seems pretty weird. Like he thinks he's a gangster or something. I don't like that sort of thing.

But thus far, otherwise, I am very pleased with most everything I have seen coming out from Obama and Co.

Good to see you back!

When Obama chose Hillary for SOS I began to look at him in a different light. I think this was planned all along. He brought the Hillary backers right along on that one,plus,she is the best choice.

He has chosen wisely with a couple of blips,but most of his choices are right on the mark.

Rahm is a hard nosed fighter who will advise Obama on how to deal with Republicans.That job requires an elbow kind of guy. Good Cop,bad Cop.

Mitch McConnell is now on CSpan 2 and he is handling himself well.He seems to be smart enough to work with Obama.A little surprising after listening to John Boehner,who seems to think he is still in the TomDeLay/Bush age.

That presidents feel they have to have a muscle man like a Rahm Emmanuel who can do some hardball dirty work. Bush had his Karl Rove, Nixon had his John Mitchell with his slush funds and enemies lists.

I guess that's politics today. But it's a shame it has to be that way.

That is part of the way our country has changed over the decades, for it isn't confined just to politics. Instead, we see it everywhere.

When I think of change, I look for change that is improvement and worthwhile. Unfortunately, the need for muscle men, or friends to do the dirty work, is sad, to say the least.

Maybe if enough people can see through it, and complain loud enough, it just might go full circle and take us back to better times?

Maybe someone like Emmanuel can provide the needed 'balance' to help keep things on a more even keel?

Sometimes, just an extra dash of seasoning is a good thing:-)

Probably true. Politics is a tough business. I guess they all do have to have someone savvy and tough enough to handle that end of it.

Thx Loree for both replies.

Loree:

That is part of the way this board has changed over the years, for it isn't confined just to lying and hypocrisy. Instead, we see it everywhere.

When I think of change, I look for change that is improvement and worthwhile. Unfortunately, the need for muscle men, or friends to do the dirty work, is sad, to say the least.

Maybe if enough people can see through it, and complain loud enough, and say they are leaving forever every week or so, it just might go full circle and take us back to better times?

sigh