First thoughts: Madame Secretary

R. Echols, Stillwater OK — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:56:08 GMT

Obama makes his first huge mistake! The best person out there for the Sec. of State job is Hillary? With all the baggage her husband brings to the table, this pick just reeks. There are going to be so many back-door deals made through Bill that Obama won't have a clue what's going on in the world. This is nothing more then a co-Presidency, at least for foreign policy.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Ms Roman — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:59:33 GMT

Bush has been such a disappointment as president it's nice to know that he accomplished something important and positive in his time in office

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Pat Huntington NY — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:01:21 GMT

Bitter sweet news regarding Hillary as SoS, since she will soon no longer be the Junior Senator from my home state of NY.

Mayor Newsom would be SPLENDID as California Governor. It would be a fitting "in your face" move against the religious idiots who got Prop. 8 passed over there.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

katiec Pekin, IL — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:04:58 GMT

The voters trust and support Barack Obama, his
people he has put in key positions and his policies.
The media continues to try and throw a wrench in
everything he does. They try to stir up doubt,
discord and negativity, just like the pubs.
Hmmm, wonder where their loyality lies??

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

newdayDawning — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:07:27 GMT

Yeah, Shrubbie, about the "legacy thing"? Good luck with that. I'm guessing you will go down as the WORST President in our history. People will wonder how someone that stupid and incompetent was elected to destroy the Nations credibility around the world and the economy within.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Eric, Salinas, CA — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:08:52 GMT

The legacy watch for the worst president in history won't change as this King of the Kingdom of Fools is still stabbing America in the back with his last minute rule changes that will only bring more harm and shame to our country. Why does "Tyrant" Bush hate America so much?

Yeah I sure hope that Obama helps bring about a true playoff resolution to college football. It's the only sport that doesn't have a real playoff system and the BCS is a total sham.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Ron Indiana — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:09:55 GMT

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. Lots to talk about: With regard to Bill releasing the names of his donors; the reason it did is because Obama made that a "condition for employment". It is also a way for Obama to say who is in charge, and its not Bill or Hillary.

Auto Industry Bailout: Some want to call it a bridge loan to give the auto industry time to take a long term look at what needs to be done. Where have the Big 3 been hiding for the past 3 years? My wife and I knew gas prices would go up and SUV's would be worth .20 cents on the dollar. Toyota has had the Prius out for a couple of years and people were buying them. The auto industry management has been out of touch for some time. ie. the private jet trips.

Will all the cabinet appointments it is clear to me that Obama will govern right down the middle. Forget about left-center and right-center. He is not so much in ideologies, but practical do-it-right judgement.

Now for Chris Matthews. I knew he had his eye on the Senate during the primaries when he sat of the fence regarding Hillarys campaigning in Penn. He should beat a 78 year old moderate Republican who has had a brain tumor and cancer...but...two years is a long time and a lot could happen. Chris could have trouble because people do not like butt-heads and Chris can be a butt-head. He can still ask hard questions, but not be so pushy and stepping on the comments of his guests. Whether Chris wins or loses will be up to Chris and he has some image changing to do.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Voleck C., NY — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:10:21 GMT

I guess experience in foreign policy is no longer a requirement for a President or a Secretary of State.

What we have now is the Blond leading the Blind.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Class Warrior, D.C. — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:10:39 GMT

I still say;ANYBODY BUT CLINTON!! She's abrasive, inexperienced and generaly a bad choice. Should've been Powell or Richardson.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:10:47 GMT

I think the big name is Jim Jones at NSC, though I agree with First Read the media will most likely report ad nauseum all things Clinton.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Same Old — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:12:12 GMT

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Eric, Salinas, CA — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:12:14 GMT

Thanks for being back in the morning with the wonderful First Read stuff. I sure missed First Read last week. Looks like lots of good articles to be posted as things heat up in the Obama transition. Only 50 more days of the worst tyrant in history running amok in the White House.

No wonder the DOW is dropping like a rock this morning, that fool Paulson is going to spew more filthy lies about how his freeloader market is working so well. He has screwed up the $700 billion bailout and deserves to have the funds tied up until Obama takes over with his far superior finance team.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:13:32 GMT

Hillary is going to do just fine as Secretary of State, and she will be very busy quickly. She will have a real mess to deal with between India and Pakistan. Our military in Iraq must be pulled out there quickly because, things maybe heating up even more in Afganistan.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Nick, Houston, Texas — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:15:36 GMT

A hearty "amen" on the BCS question. Mr. President-Elect, please stop the college football insanity. 8 team playoff, but I'll settle for a 4.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Dan St. Louis, MO — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:15:45 GMT

FR: One more extraneous item about the National security team -- the appointment of Clinton will mean it will be more than a decade since a white male has held the post of Secretary of State. Then again, maybe it's time that we in the media don't need to take notice of facts like this anymore. Isn't that one of the messages the public sent on Election Day?

I agree. As long as we citizens continue to keep a "score card" on minority picks, our country will never move forward. With the election of Barack Obama, I may still see the day when a person is selected not by the color of their skin or ethnic background, but because that person is best suited for the job.
I believe we are starting to see that with Obama's picks for his team.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Kay P Tempe AZ — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:15:51 GMT

0-75 comments made and not approved - trying again.
Samantha Powers, if anyone has read anything she has written or heard her speak, is a powerful force and unfairly thrown under the bus at the time of this incident - however, she will be an excellent choice to work in this area of Africa and world issues. Clinton will just have to suck it up about Powers, just like everyone else is having to suck it up for HER to take this position, against all odds. Richardson would have been less trouble and just as good as SoS, and everyone knows it. Clinton wanted this position, as proven by Bill, so Powers is part of the deal. She'll have to get over it.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Bill C. — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:22:07 GMT

Hillary will serve "US" proud ! "Great choice" !

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Hill is A Hero — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:24:23 GMT

The Clinton's will release most of the donor names for their personal slush fund, ehh, library. Then they'll throw up a lot of smoke and mirrors why they can't release all the names. And after a while, they'll say it just doesn't matter, and the press and all of the Democrats will go along with the ruse. It will be just like old times with Hill and Bill.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:24:32 GMT

>>>[Jones and Gates] is a throwback to...Bush 41.
==========
The truth is that Bush 41's foreign policy was far better than that of Bush 43. The apple really did fall far from the tree.

>>>In Georgia, with one day until tomorrow's run-off, Sarah Palin hits four rallies today for Saxby Chambliss...
==========
Does she ever plan on doing any governing for the state of Alaska, or is she there just to kill moose and un-pardoned turkeys?

50 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

marty,columbia,s.c. — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:26:06 GMT

As a liberal, I would be happier with other choices, but I will gladley differ to the judgement of the PE
Obama, I trusted him enough to vote for him and will give him time to form a compentant government. As for Madam Sec. good luck to her , she is closer to Obama than , say Jones, or Gates. I do think anyone on this team who tries to derail any of our Presidents well thought out plans will get fired. underscore well thought out. The first thing our state dept need to do along with our dept of defense is look at that agreement with Iraq that gives Iraq power over our military, I dont care if they have power over the private security contractors, but I do care about our military. Why has no one in the media taken that agreement and went over it line by line and then tell the American public what the Bush administration has agreed to. Well for everyone who cant wait to see the back side of Bush as he leaves Washington, we dont have to long to wait, but it certainley is streching out.
marty

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

K Marx — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:27:01 GMT

[Newsom] seven and half hours for a State of the City address? Even Fidel Castro couldn't talk that long.

Fidel Castro admires Newsom. Most socialists do.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

RH Oregon — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:32:42 GMT

"more than a decade since a white male has held the post of Secretary of State. Then again, maybe it's time that we in the media don't need to take notice of facts like this anymore"

We don't take notice anymore, but we should notice character. We are sending her as an envoy to pompus heads of state. Many of whom do look down on all women as inferior. Especially one who hasn't kept her man from straying, over and over and over... One who has shady business dealing, shady donors, etc.
Yes, we should not notice whether the person wears a pants suit or boxers! What we must do is look to the charcter and morals of those who we set to lead this country. Hillery Clinton does not meet the standard Mr. Obama should have set.
This is not change.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Dan St. Louis, MO — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:33:52 GMT

History will not look favorably upon Bush Jr. Liberator of 50 million? A man who brought peace? That won't happen unless somehow, Bush can undo the two wars he started. Bush is the only president to start TWO wars during his presidency. Perhaps Pres. Bush thought that because the US fought on 3 different fronts in WWII that our country would be able to handle wars with Iraq and Afghanistan. Obviously the circumstances were much different during WWII.
History will not be kind to Bush 43, but he will not be known as the "worst President".

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Nj — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:37:44 GMT

This is GREAT, Obama is NO WUSS.......
When Gates is done then Hagel will step in

I LOVE IT

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Blitz Wolfer — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:39:21 GMT

Obama is really upset over the Mumbai situation. It really cut into this countries softball interviews and segments each of the networks were doing on him.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

The Mart — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:41:28 GMT

This Newsom deal should have all the Palin haters in a frenzy. Any-Two-Some Newsom makes Palin look like Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:41:55 GMT

Please Mr Paulsen,let me know who we are bailing out this week,there can't be to many bankers whose pockets haven't been filled.I need to get my taxes ready, please let us know which banks,insurance company's, investment brokers,Freddy,Fanny, I'm now a stockholder of and how much of there losses I can right off?

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Indie Woman in Denver — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:42:56 GMT

Bush is being given an International Medal of Peace? Is Rick Warren & his Saddleback crowd CRAZY or just out of touch? I applaud Bush's support of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa, but come on... PEACE? Don't think so. Maybe history will tell a different story, but it's hard to imagine Americans could EVER think he's supported peace.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:45:56 GMT

The Bush legacy will be remembered for liberating people for sure - to the point where millions of lives had to leave their homes and country to avoid murder; his liberating tens of thousands of innocent souls from their dead bodies; his liberating the thousands of military souls from their families and loved ones or their ability of living normal lives again; his freeing all our treasure to pay the tremendous cost of this unnecessary war and corrupt contractors; and his freeing his administration to trample on the U. S. Constitution. I only hope the guilt and shame for the damages this man has wreaked upon this country someday catches up and haunts him for the rest of his days.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

j fl — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:14:08 GMT

So, you guys insult and criticize Hillary from day one, for no apparent reason. Then you whine and cry about how nasty and devious the Clintons are and how Obama is your new God. Then God picks Hillary as his Sec of State and you STILL whine and cry like little babies. This is the first time in my life as a hard core democrat that I saw what a bunch of pathetic, nasty people the left of my own party are. Right wingers are still worse, but not by much. Both far left and right wingers have personalty problems. Apparently NOTHING pleases either of them. Both Barack and Hillary have proven how competent,down to earth and gracious they are. The heck with you guys!!!

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Same Old, Same Old — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:45:19 GMT

Clinton as Sec of State, recycled Clinton people in Obama's cabinet........Where is the promise of change?

I just hope that Hillary is careful. She may encounter more "sniper fire" in her travels around the world in her new position.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Susan L., Redmond, WA — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:51:08 GMT

Get over it, First Read Horn Fan. Though hearing the lamentation and whining of a Horn is sweet indeed. That being said, playoffs would be the fair way to go. OU didn't make this BCS system and for the last few years all the tinkering seems aimed at finding a way of keeping Oklahoma out of the bowls. Time to stop trying to find the right formula and let all these issues get settled on the field to find out, at the end of the season, which team is really best.

I do believe that if we had the correct Big 12 matchup next week, Missouri would be sitting at home and OU would be playing Texas again. The separation of North & South should be for scheduling only and the 2 best teams in the entire conference should face each other rather than the usually weak North vs. the dominant South.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

yaritza montelongo,chicago,IL — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:51:47 GMT

hillary!? you serious? c'mon obama! that was a big NO NO. you could have made a better choice

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

sandy Ct — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:19:59 GMT

With renewed hope and confidence I applaud the people OBAMA has chosen to help lead our country. For the past few weeks watching our president-elect pick the people who will help put this country on a new path, has made me even prouder to be an American.Though we our going through uncharted territory here at home and around the world..I know that with this kind of leadership we will be alright.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

katiec — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:43:10 GMT

Rick Warren is the same one who conducted a forum with Barack Obama and Mccain. And, he covered up the fact that Mccain knew the questions ahead of time, so
what do you expect from him and his church??

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Dan St. Louis, MO — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:46:11 GMT

So what Obama is telling us with all the Clinton picks for his team is that there is no one else out there in a country of 300+ million that can do these jobs? The man of Change appears to be the man of More of the Same.
Same Old (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 10:12 AM)

News for you, but Hillary was not the only person selected to posts. What about the others? Or are you so hung up on the Clinton name? Because that is exactly what it sounds like to me.
What "all the Clinton picks"? I only see one, Hillary. Bill may be a spouse, but he was not announced as a selection.

RH Oregon - I've said it before and I'll say it again. The change Obama spoke about was not about personnel, but about goverance. How can you possibly make experienced people a part of your team when the vast majority of them are either Democrat or Republican, conservative or liberal? If you are looking for new faces, then you'd have to settle for inexperienced people or people that most voting citizens know nothing about, which is a recipe for disaster. Is that how you want our country to be governed?

I do enjoy all the "sofa quarterbacking" here, especially considering that some have no clue as to what they are talking about while others simply repeat talking points others have made. I don't profess to understand every selection (as I mentioned in another post) but like I did with Bush in 2000, I'm willing to AT LEAST give the new administration an opportunity to show what it can do. Are you?

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

loveme4418 kansas city mo — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:41:54 GMT

Hilliary Clinton was a very good choice too b in the Obama cabinet.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Waseem Chachar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:11:22 GMT

They tryin' to throw us in more mess and I say NO NO NO!!! First biggest mistake of Mr. Obama is to bring Hillary to be SoS. I would have recommended Richardson or Kerry.

First thoughts: Madame Secretary

Obamacratic — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:24:10 GMT

Give President Obama a chance to do his job. The people choosen are his choice. If a mistake is made, allow him a chance to correct it. So many nah sayers already. Try putting a little possitive effort into helping our country instead. Just imagine what we would be able to accomplish. President Obama you have my full support. Because I know that you will do the very best you can for this country.