Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Fr. Garvin, Chicago — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:44:23 GMT

May God have mercy on our souls.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Fixxer, VT — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:47:17 GMT

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Nicholas: Minnesota — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:51:35 GMT

"Africa expert Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations."
--A terrible pick. Knowledgeable, yes, but diplomatic, I don't remember seeing that on the campaign trail. Eh?, perhaps the UN needs a Bolton-like figure from the Obama administration--somebody to loudly challenge them.

--But it is hardly a "we will work with the globe" pick. I suppose my impressions could be wrong.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Musha Gaine — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:52:45 GMT

al-Qaida supports this appointment.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Eric, Salinas, CA — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:55:59 GMT

It is going to be so nice to have competent people filling the positions of government that have been so screwed up by the current administration's boot licking lackeys and buffoons. The only exception is getting someone to replace the buffoon who is the current Secretary of Defense. I would much rather see Colin Powell or Chuck Hagel. We need a real change from the incompetence our military has been run by and which has trashed our mighty military.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Back Stabber — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:58:17 GMT

Secretary of State is 4th in line for the presidency. I'd watch my back and try not to be in the same room at the same time if I were named Obama, Biden, Pelosi, and Byrd.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

sid, South Bound Brook, NJ — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:59:33 GMT

Hi,
I am an Indian and recently became a citizen and voted for obama, as he too shares the immigrant voes. I want Obama to do something for my country instead of just diplomacy. Also please stop the financial aid to Pakistan as it only breeds more terror.
India is bleeding, dont add to her misery. Hope this time around we see some "REAL" action, rather than just diplomatic words.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

sid, South Bound Brook, NJ — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:00:21 GMT

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:04:08 GMT

No surprise here! This will be a very interesting political relationship, and one to watch carefully. That is fact!

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Gail, TN — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:05:45 GMT

What an awesome group of people PE Obama has assembled. It is a joy to hear each of them speaking right now. What commitment, focus and heart they all possess.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

-- PROTECT & DEFEND OUR BORDERS ... — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:27:46 GMT

LET US HOPE THAT THE GOVERNOR FROM ARIZONA REMEMBERS HOW IMPORTANT BORDER SECURITY WITH MEXICO IS.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

j fl — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:29:27 GMT

Hillary will be fabulous, as usual......Great pick Obama. I like you even more now.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Tina, Winter Garden, FL — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:30:39 GMT

I'm impressed with the choices so far the PE Obama has selected. Although I would rather see Gates go, I can understand the need to keep him on for at least a year in order to be brought up to speed on Iraq and what really is going on there. I believe that PE Obama means to replace him with someone else after that. Can't wait for January!

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Diane from Illinois — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:34:48 GMT

President-Elect Obama hasn't disappointed me yet! His picks have been carefully thought out and those griping about Hillary should see that he's got her right where he wants her. It was a brilliant move on his part and if you can't see that, than so be it. I trust that he's going to become one of the very best president's this country has ever had. Jan. 20th can't come soon enough!

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Indie Woman in Denver — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:39:15 GMT

Much of the drama that seems to follow the Clintons is of their own doing -- HOWEVER, much of it comes from the Clinton-haters, and you know who you are. Put a little faith in Obama's choice, and stop with the anti-Clinton rhetoric for a change.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Lucinda,All Done — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:40:28 GMT

Palin/Quale in 2012! They will unite all Conservatives!

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Samir, Cincinnati OH — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:46:51 GMT

Obama disappointed me w/ his Sec. of State pick. He picked someone who is thoroughly unqualified, no experience for the position, and whose previous experiences in policy leadership were disasters (e.g. health care, her primary). The only positive (and also a huge negative) is that her last name is Clinton. Too much politics at a time in the world where we need serious leadership to face the challenges. I predict this will be the weakest link in his cabinet.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Former Obama Supporter — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:48:16 GMT

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Loved Obama during the election. Sadly disappointed since. Not even elected yet, and he is walking back from tax cuts, leaving Iraq anytime soon, and now, he fills his cabinet with Washington and Chicago insiders.

I was getting annoyed with the question. But, everyday it seems more valid. "Is this really change we can believe in?"

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Dan St. Louis, MO — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:59:10 GMT

First, I want to say Hi to my friends at First Read.

I just finished listening to the press conference. Before I comment, I have to say that I do not know enough about some of the selections made by the Obama team.
That said, I am excited about the team he selected. I've not been a big fan of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. However, I am willing to let her have the opportunity to fill that post. Hillary may very well be a great SoS and I for one am willing to give her that opportunity.
I believe keeping Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense is a smart move. Having Jim Jones and Gates on the same team will only make the team stronger.
While I'm not as familiar with Jones, what I've seen and heard so far has been positive.
I also don't know much about Janet Napolitano. That said, I also know McCain has spoken favorably of Napolitano. Time will tell how well a job she will do, but I believe she will be outstanding.
I also believe selecting Eric Holder for AG is a great pick. I currently do not know enough about Susan Rice to make any kind of judgment.
I was impressed by each one when they spoke. Like I said earlier, only time will tell whether they will be successful but with what I heard during the press conference, I believe they can and will be successful.
Of course there will be those who will either be unhappy with the picks, or feel the wrong people were selected. They'll make all kinds of comments about how bad those selections were. They may make nasty remarks about the picks. But what they won't offer is a "constructive" alternative. Some (conservatives and liberals alike) will only be happy if the person selected is someone who believes as they do. And I find that pathetic.
How can we improve this country if everyone working under you is a "yes" man or woman? How can we improve as a country if we continue down a "partisan path" of "my way or the highway" mentality?
Some will say they don't have enough experience. But the only thing that will make these people happy is if Bush's entire cabinet is retained. That is not change, nor is it prudent goverance.
Before rushing to judgment, give the team a chance to do it's job. If you cannot do that, then it will make no difference who is selected as you will not be happy with any selections for Obama's cabinet.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

J D Leverett, Springfield, VA — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:59:28 GMT

Sen Clinton would be a great Sec of State. I disagree with Joe Scarborough that she know more about the military than the most recent Sec of States. Hello Joe,I love you man, but who was Sec of State Colin Power? Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, etc!

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Indie Woman in Denver — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:02:23 GMT

Jim Jones will be a GREAT Nat'l Security Advisor, MUCH better than Condy Rice was -- she had a very narrow view of what her responsibilities were in that position (as came out in the 9/11 Commission hearings). Jones, Gates, Biden, and Hillary will be a GREAT Foreign Relations team supporting President Obama.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Dan St. Louis, MO — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:07:35 GMT

Ugly, ugly move. The drama never ended with the Clintons. Now it looks like it won't end with Obama either. We needed experience and stability for the head of the State department. What we got was politics as usual and a whole lot of drama.
Fixxer, VT (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 10:47 AM)

What drama Fixxer? The only drama I've seen so far is what has been "manufactured" by the media and people like you who post about it.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Bex, Colorado — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:11:47 GMT

Hillary is a great pick, give the man a chance. I already feel better.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:16:21 GMT

I have to say that I would have preferred Richardson as Sec of State since he has been on the international stage and done things few others have - talked to the North Koreans without being North Korean. With that minor exception, I think that without interviewing and knowing personally these people, the picks are good.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

Elliott, Los Angeles, CA — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:23:51 GMT

Hillary Haters...get over it already. Please just get over it.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

katiec — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:27:51 GMT

Have complete faith and give total support to whoever Barack Obama picks. Know that every position was given intelligent thought and consideration for what is best for our country.

Obama names Clinton Sec. State

docrock,tx — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:28:08 GMT

I concur that a great replacement for Gates would be Powell or Hagel.PE Obama did a brilliant strategic move by retaining Gates during his early term,and is bound by no commitment other than his tact.Kudos for his cabinet choices thus far.