Barack Obama’s All-Star Cabinet: Possibilities and Perils

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The notion that President-elect Obama in some way sacrificed his own grandmother, or more commonly, "threw her under the bus" is utter nonsense. Were you to have heard Obama's incisive and extraordinary speech, "A More Perfect Union," and come away with that dismal sentiment; or take no pains to repeat such, one would have to be pretty naive, to be charitable; or simply downright ignorant. Period.

Robbie of NY 11:04PM January 06, 2009

Obama and the top tier of his cabinet, as a group, are a smart, talented group. I hope that they will focus on using their skills, knowledge, and collective team efforts to find viable solutions to the plethora of our nation's problems. Bush, Chaney, and the Wall Streeters (and yes, the Dem's and Repub's in Congress, too) have left a super grand mess for them to clean-up. If they can find a way to work in tandem and leave their egos at the doors of their office buildings, then America and the citizenry will be the beneficiares of their smarts.
We, as the American electorate (Dem's, Repub's, Indepen's, and all other factions, groups, bases, etc.), need to find ways to work together to help repair our "Perfect Union" and restore some respect and civility among ourselves. Otherwise, the more divided we become as a people, the weaker we become as a nation.
The world is watching what we say about each other, what we do to each other, and what we do not do to strengthen and help ourselves. President-Elect Obama and his team will be working for and on behalf of us, the American people. We just need to step up and collectively, do our part.
We DO NOT have to behave like sheep, but we should behave like a respectable, proud, team of American citizens. With a focused and smart team of leaders, and a strong and civil electorate, America will return to Her first-rate standing in the world.

Candy-MSLD of FL 4:04PM December 23, 2008

I've been asking the same question for nearl 20 months now. Who is the real Barack Obama. I wasnt sure during the primaries, as he changed his tune daily. I was alittle worried when he sacrificed his own grandmother for political gain.
Now he is president elect and through his cabinet picks and hiring Rev. Warren for the invocation, Barack Obama is nothing like the guy who was running for president. Bringing an anti gay, right wing christian conservative preacher is supposed to unite people?
The author is completely off base. Everything Obama does is a political calculation. Obama is not even sworn in yet and he is already schemeing for re-election. Re look at his cabinet picks. These arent the best minds in their field of endeavor.. These are the best political minds.
Everything and Everybody in the world of Obama is a stepping stone to be used and thrown under the bus.
He's already thrown under members of his own family, party, his Rev., progressives and the liberal left, who by the way were his base through the primaries.
Promises, what promises? All Obama cares about is Obama. He's gonna make slick willy look like a choir boy.
years from now they are going to be saying:
Who was Barack Obama, really?

michael cur of NY 12:44AM December 22, 2008

THINGS ARE CERTAINLY IN A BAD MESS LETS ALL PRAY PEOPLE WILL WORK TOGETHER TO GET OUR COUNTRY BACK TO THE GREAT POSITION OF JUSTICE AND RESPECT WE ONCE HELD IN THE WORLD

JOE MATSON of GA 8:16AM December 21, 2008

We need to know more about social issues such as well-fare, abortion and gay-marriage. Where is this nation heading, the same direction as most European and Asian countries?? Already, Russia is sending warships to Cuba, and other countries are taking advantage of Obama's lack of experience.

LONG of DE 1:32PM December 15, 2008

Obama is a really sharp guy and I can appreciate that he's surrounding himself with other smart people.
That's preferred to the conservative's "let's not confuse the issues with the facts" approach to solving problems for the last decade.
But Obama's team members will inevitably speak out of turn and let the country know their own personal opinions. So the messages from his administration will likely be confusing and sometimes contradicting.
I wouldn't want something like Busch's "yes men" ever again, but Obama is going to be very impressive in deed if his administration can deliver a unified message to the public.

Bill in STL of MO 9:01PM December 14, 2008

We shall see.

Henry the 8th of GA 10:13AM December 14, 2008

We shall see.

of 10:12AM December 14, 2008

Ms Borger has fallen head over heels for Obama and I share some of her optimism. I am massively hopeful that Obama will overshadow JFK, Roosevelt, Wilson, and even Lincoln. But, he has to do more than talk and appoint great people. To be sure, the mark of greatness can be a knack for attracting great people to work around a leader. Obama seems to be successful at that.
Another mark of greatness in Obama is that he not only has read widely, but he writes well, and thinks deeply.
But, a major issue with Obama is that his legislative record book is remarkably thin. He has truthfully done very little. A scholar? A professor? Where are his scholarly publications. Note that writing memoirs does not count as professorial academic work.
Obama is a very smart man: granted. He has attracted a lot of highly accomplished talent to his team: very hopeful. What specifically has he outlined to put through Congress? No, not platitudes, but well fleshed out, highly structured, integrated plans that have a chance of getting implemented? What What What???

LJB of FL 10:49PM December 13, 2008

Why doesn't Obama get his birth certicate released by the governor of Hawaii? I have heard that it is a forgery. He has never proven that he is eligible for the office of President.
Come on, go after him.

Howard York of WA 9:27PM December 13, 2008