By nominating his neocon, militarist and conservative corporatist extremists to his cabinet, Bush was extremely successful in pushing through his agenda.

Obama could learn from it that to push his agenda he needs to surround himself with like minds.

The frightening part is that maybe he has.

Those who have created the mess will be living a form of penance, if you will. They will be there as the majority of the electorate continue to pressure and push while the effects of the bloddy mess will come home to roost with the only alternative being profound change. Our work has only just begun.

I don't know what he is doing but I don't have to know. If he doesn't clean up this mess we are all screwed. I'm hoping against hope that HE knows what he is doing.

I seem to recall that somewhere in the news conference, Obama said something about if he had appointed someone from out side the belt-way, MSM would be all
over the appointees re, their "lack of experience" Before we condemn Obama for
his choices, lets see what the first 100 brings.

Nader was right...Business as usual, the corporatists win again and the wars will continue...what a huge farce!
I hope all you Obamaniacs are happy!

Competent militarists are what the country needs, huh? I'm amazed at so-called liberals who ask that such competence be given a chance. Competence or incompetence cannot be divorced from the policy to which it is attached.

It may work out differently, but, as of now, all the fine words and promises Obama offered during his campaign seem destined to be revealed as the shallow, unsubstantial appeasement they were. Of course, Bush et al will control the financial debacle even as those from Reagan onward engineered the looting. It doesn't seem likely that, after Jan 20, much different is likely to unfold...except perhaps in degree of severity and hardship and panic. Nor does it seem likely that Obama will behave differently than what, at the core, he is: an apologist and facilitator of of militaristic and corporate interests.

It's all about money and the attendant power, and Obama isn't immune to these intoxicants just because he talks a good game. Expect issues like resource depletion (peak oil) and climate change to be quietly shoved to the background as the money crisis intensifies. Say nothing of health care, education, infrastructure and those social niceities we like so much. The times, indeed, are changing, and I fear, like ezeflyer, that the changes will be ones we won't much like.

Many Obama apologists are rich. I say make some bets about what the 100 days will bring and squeeze some money out of his faithful supporters when they are proven wrong.

And if the naysayers are wrong
then can be glad about Obama even as they have to start a charity fund to pay off the bet.
:)

I am always surprised that people actually believed in a mainstream politician. He must be a better pr man than what I observed or felt. To me, he was a slick politician.

The very fact that there is so much discussion and shock that it turns out his campaign promises may have been false--What is that about? When have people become so naive? When did people begin to believe campaign dreck?

I personally believe it appears to be a cult-like situation going on here. Maybe "Change we can believe in" was just such a great slogan, that people couldn't help but believe. I think he is right out of central casting. But maybe that is my own issue. Who knows.

it has been a pleasure to come to commondreams in recent month, did i find you all late? and read about how horrible barack obama is. the idea that he is good in any way was so adroitly refuted here, thank goodness. ralph nader for hope and change in 2012.

"strongly defended his decision to choose more experienced, centrist aides for his inner circle, arguing that the nation needs sure hands in a time of turmoil"

Again, why are these people being billed as "centrist" when they're anything but? Sure, they may not be as far right as the neo-cons, but they're close enough.

So he's going for "experience" is he? Experience in what? Promoting Empire! Globalization! Corporatization! In other words, the same Clinton Era bastards that set the stage for BushCo.

If he doesn't clean up this mess we are all screwed.

Yeah, clean up the mess so the top 1% can continue the Song & Dance while the rest of us
99 per centers pay the piper. The only tune this band can play is being written in Tel Aviv.

Obama is simply following the dictates of the corporations that financed his campaign. The notion that Obama is a progressive is belied by the reactionaries that are filling his advisory posts. The only change going on in Washington is that a different group of corporations will be calling the shots.

He is just another con artist that has sucked in desparate voters hoping for enlightemed leadership. How sad this nation's future is!

Still rather have Obama than McCain. It's premature to bash him until he actually takes power. If nothing changes after Jan 21st, I'll be bashing him, but not before.

I never did trust the guy, but I thought that at least he would be easier to watch and listen to than that bumbling mumbling brush-wacker Bush, but after only three weeks I have to shut off the tv or radio when he starts articulating his neoconniving lies.

Keep in mind this guy is a politician. That is all you need to know. They all are bought and sold by the corporations.

While many progressives laughed at the idea that Obama was one of us, most supporters actually bought into the idea that he WOULD implement real change.

Their projection was that given the opportunity, Obama would move away from the disastrous policies of the last SEVERAL presidents. And, yes, dear Dems, you can't get away from the reality that Clinton's crew destroyed some of the last remaining regulations when he signed Glass-Steigel's end. Many who then circled around Clinton, now circle around Obama. YES, we need to be OUTRAGED.

Is it too much to ask that there be SOME additions to the team that signal CHANGE? I don't think so.

Let's try a Paul Krugman in the economic team! Let's add a Robert Kennedy Jr. to the EPA! Let's see SOMEBODY who is not a direct link into the past. If we are talking about needing people with experience, how about choosing those with a DIFFERENT experience--those who were NOT a part of the past failures. ###

Baraka
The real test is not in who he chooses but in how his choices are used. For example if he continues to sustain health care as a commodity by supporting the insurance industry I will turn on him and his administration. I believe he's the smartest pup in the litter but I want to see him hunt.

Until he takes office all this is posturing when he makes the decisions we will see how he is made. I want to discover a great president not just some one better than Bush. I have a dog at home better than Bush, what we need is a great President. These times and the 20 years of incompetence since Regan (including Clinton) is not in the right direction. We (I) want our country back from the corporate oligarchy that has been robbing us and has proven unethical and incompetent.

It would seem that the transformational nature of a leader is lost on many of the posters here. It is the job of a transformational leader to choose people to implement his vision based on the best available pool of people. Perhaps the liberals who post here could pick someone that they know who has the experience or wisdom to get us out of the current economic crisis or the two front war we are currently in based on their personal knowledge of economics, finance, Washington politics, corporate strategy, or Constitutional law? For all my knowledge of political animals, I cannot think of one that would satisfy the left side of the Democratic Party or serve the American people. The ones we think would be good, have had and continue to have the good sense to stay out of Washington. Consider who has refused to serve this President already, then consider that if you think they are so great and not self-serving, ask them why they refuse to serve the American People. A transformational leader provides the vision, lets others implement it with guidance so that the vision is not lost. Until January 20th, President-ELECT Obama can only make appointments, share his vision and direction with them, and then expect them to follow through under his control. In addition, he is trying to create calm in the economic markets and public sector, while waiting to see what garbage BushCo is actually leaving him to deal with in light of the undisclosed Iraq agreement (its an agreement so it does not need Congressional approval like a treaty), Paulson's continued trashing of the economy, and hundreds of other signing statements, executive orders, and other secret actions by Cheney and others. So cut him some slack, let him lead and guide. He has a vision of a better America and it is up to us to help him create it, not just demand instant results on a platter before he even has the power to deliver any of it at all.