I suppose if hack is defined by doing anything for money, probably Rahm is not a hack. But if it's defined as doing anything to promote your own idealogy no matter what, I strongly disagree with Rahmbo being a good thing at all. If Rahm had his way, democrats would simply not be in charge right now. He was a hinderance for sure, and I don't know how he was helpful. I don't know how he is helpful to Obama now. I have questions about others, but maybe this is how Obama wants to get his policies across - I'm giving the benefit of the doubt, certainly. http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/107666/this_i...
"As chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2006, Emanuel promoted the campaigns of 22 candidates, only one of who supported a swift withdrawal from Iraq, and denied crucial Party funding to anti-war candidates"
Donna Z
· 12 months ago
Rahm was the point guy on the China deal. After he left the confines of the Clinton WHouse, Rahm went on to "collect" 22 million from the same gang that had benefitted from that deal. I'd say that he's not only a hack but a rich hack.
I accept and have let go about the appointment of Rahm; however, I still remember who he is. The suggestion above was that Rahm doesn't put money first. He did. He probably still does. I don't trust him.
lucky hussein
· 12 months ago
Thank you for opening my eyes about this. The article also points out what I already knew: Rahm helped ram though nafta for the dems. Let me change my opinion: Rahm is a definition hack. Whether it's for money or power, I don't know if it matters.
According to John D. MacArthur's groundbreaking book The Selling of Free Trade, Emanuel's specific responsibility at the time was convening weekly meetings with K Street lobbyists to plot about how to put pressure on Democrats to support the deal. Similarly, as an investment banker, he published a Wall Street Journal op-ed on the eve of the China free trade deal demanding Democrats support the agreement, which has resulted in the loss of thousands of good-paying U.S. jobs and further domestic wage deterioriation. In 2004, House Democrats nonetheless rewarded Emanuel by giving him a coveted slot on the Ways and Means Committee - the panel that oversees trade policy.
Older_Wiser
· 12 months ago
Most excellent piece by Scahill. At least Brennan is out...
hallam
· 12 months ago
Petraeus is one of the few Bush appointees that was actually chosen for being competent. So to that extent it certainly makes sense to keep him.
He certainly made a number of statements to Congress that are of questionable veracity and he tolerated 'Baghdad Boylan', his PR flack lying to reporters.
But you probably need someone like that to be able to deal with the Iraqi factions.
Older_Wiser
· 12 months ago
"Big egos" imply that "big intellects" keep their knowledge to themselves unless they're currying favor and catering to an elite. Does it have to be that way? Will someone cut through that crap? I'm sure I won't see it in my lifetime...but will wait and see.
RitornaVincitor
· 12 months ago
Are you saying Brownie didn't do a heck of a job?
Bostonian_Queer_in_Dallas
· 12 months ago
Anything...anything will be 1000% better than cowboys who milk male horses on Crawford ranches...
Yee Haw is not a foreign policy.
Gary SF
· 12 months ago
These people are qualified? Where are the Liberty University graduates? I don't see any Arabian Horse Association commissioners. And how is our country going to 'change' if we don't have any members of the 'flat earth society' on board? Obama, shobama. ;-)
Bush_Bites
· 12 months ago
LOL!
Somebody call Heritage Foundation and American Enterprise Institute quick!
We need to hire some incompetents to balance out the smart people!
RevDrBillyBob
· 12 months ago
Judging by these selections and retentions, the war in Iraq will continue unabated. Well, I guess that's fair, since most Americans support it . . . as long as there isn't a draft.
Bush_Bites
· 12 months ago
No, survey's show most Americans want it to end.
And it will before Obama's first term is out.
Indigo
· 12 months ago
Putting government in the hands of adults is a refreshing change. I welcome it, I look forward to the public disussions that will follow, I look forward to the withdrawal from Iraq, I look forward to a stable economic recovery plan, I look forward to sensible health care options, I look forward to a rebuilt infrastructure, and I fully expect that none of it will work out perfectly but that much of it will have a good start. The only time people don't complain about what's being done is when nothing's being done. The country is on the move again, thankfully. No, we will not live to see the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. Do we need to? I don't think so.
owl
· 12 months ago
Indigo: please order some glasses for your forward looking lest you become myopic.
Thrasyboulos
· 12 months ago
I am immensely reassured by the appointment of the very adult Lawrence (Larry) Summers, one of the four men responsible for derivative/bank deregulation, a deregulation directly responsible for the good economic times as far as the eye can see.
As well, the advice of super adult Robert (Bob) Rubin bodes nothing but good for the American economy...nay, the world economy...as he brings the steady hand of Citi management to the table. Not to be left out is the Rubin/Summers bementored Timothy (Tim) Geithner (he speaks Chinese, you know), who brings his valuable experience in the Bear Stearns/Citi bailouts to the Obama administration, an experience that will be adultly valuable to future endeavors of Wall Street on behalf of Main Street.
lucky hussein
· 12 months ago
lol - our fearless leaders always have our best interests in mind! yay!
jurassicpork
· 12 months ago
I see the same thing, too, John. Based on prior job performance, all I see is ruthless efficiency across the board, not the cronyism that was so characteristic of the current administration.
Maybe using insiders and the well-oiled is the best and fastest way to enact the change we deserve. We'll just have to cross our fingers, wait and see. Godspeed to the next president.
EdNSted
· 12 months ago
Honestly John, I hope your assessment here is correct but I remain very skeptical. On the economic front particularly, it seems we are asking many of the people who helped to create the current crisis to participate in its remediation. But the choices were Obama's to make and now they've got a huge crisis to deal with. I would hope, though, that the era (error?) of 'all regulation is bad/markets always self-correct' is over. I would also hope we are entering a new age of fiscal transparency.
Speaking of which, could we maybe ask the CEO's of GM, Ford & Chrysler about this when they return to Capitol Hill with tin cup in hand next week?
Mark
· 12 months ago
I'm always amazed at the number of people who fall for the same devisive and personal attacks the Republicans spew every election. I'm not a Democrat, but I see disfuntional , power grabbing egomaniacs more in the Republican Party. than the Demo Party.
hawkseye
· 12 months ago
Agree with your assessment. I think Petraeus gives advice when asked and otherwise salutes and marches to whatever orders are handed down.
WDemDem
· 12 months ago
It would be nice to FIRST inaugurate our new President before we start criticizing his choices. Some of you here, I guess, think you would have been a better pick than Obama. Perhaps you should start your 2012 bid now.
cole3244
· 12 months ago
i know the gop isn't happy about the obama picks, maybe they thought he was going to pull a carter and bring in newbees to wash as a show of change, no way no how wingnuts, this man is so far ahead of you and your intellect or lack there of that he is out of sight to the rw and their fear of intellectuals being in power, remember cons, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself so don't be scared, yet.
Bostonian_Queer_in_Dallas
· 12 months ago
I don't give a shit what the GOP thinks about anything anymore. They made a pact with the devil in the Southern Strategy of ignorant white trash bible thumpers who are still preventing me from having basic civil rights. If the GOP is dead, I say wonderful. This bullshit since Reagan had to stop. Maybe the Baptists and Mormons can start a third party now...excellent...I will send them money.
RitornaVincitor
· 12 months ago
Here! Here! Helms and Falwell are dead. Robertson's getting senile. DeLay is out. Anita Bryant is trying to claw her way back up to the gutter.. And Americans are finally reversing a decades-long trend toward low fiber diets. Nothing cures conservatism like roughage.
Bostonian_Queer_in_Dallas
· 12 months ago
I really was beginning to believe that America was going to become a real nasty KKKristian nation led by the Falwells, the Robertsons, et alia. November 4th has truly restored my hope. No...Obama will not be perfect. He will make errors along his journey. But January 20th will feel like fresh air after this period in our history which was like a dark cloud over us. Prop 8 was a great tragedy on Election Day and may well force a very nasty but cleansing case up to the SCOTUS. Hopefully Obama can replace some of the wingnuts although I doubt it. It is the liberal judges that are aging. Anyway, I am going to be very patient with Obama for two full years before making any judgements on him. Jimmy Carter brought in all new faces and it destroyed his Presidency. Obama seems very pragmatic and I will take that for now.
RitornaVincitor
· 12 months ago
Oh I so agree! My big hope for SCOTUS is that Scalia will have to leave the bench to attend to his chronic intestinal blockage. That would force Thomas to retire too, since he otherwise wouldn't know how to vote. We could replace them with people who don't believe Jefferson translated the constitution from Aramaic.
Did you see Obama on 60 Minutes or Barbara Walters? Oh my gosh! We're going to have a likable, intelligent president who can do justice to the English language! Someone who makes us proud instead of sick. My hubby and I may start eating dinner in front of the evening news again.
Bostonian_Queer_in_Dallas
· 12 months ago
ROFL "Constitution translated from the Aramaic..." OMG that's good.
vkobaya
· 12 months ago
My hubby and I may start eating dinner in front of the evening news again.
You have very short memories. 16 years ago, the media said that Clinton had nothing worthwhile to say and therefore his speeches and appearances would no longer be covered. So If you are expecting to see refreshing coverage of Obama on the evening news, guess again. On the other hand, we get to watch as Bush picks his nose, farts, belches and talks with his mouth open ... all major, breaking news coverage.
RitornaVincitor
· 11 months ago
Yes, but since Bush has nothing else to offer but belches, farts and picking his nose, they have to cover it.
BillFromDover
· 12 months ago
Wazzamatter. Not enough Texas retreads for ya?
Older_Wiser
· 12 months ago
But why do I feel like I'm being "Rick-rolled?"
wearing out my F key
· 12 months ago
not a hillary fan for sos. she's in no way quallified, and her policy positions seem to be in conflict with obama when it comes to depolmacy in general. plus, bill is going to be a big headache that obama doesn't need. frankly, i think there are way too many clintonites in this bunch, and it's going to be a problem down the road.
RitornaVincitor
· 12 months ago
Have trust in Obama, sweetie. He knows what he's doing.
beware of the leopard
· 12 months ago
Weren't Rubin and Summers two of the idiots, according to the latest Paul Krugman column, who were amongst the orchestrators of the financial mess we're in? Putting these two hacks within reach of Mr. Obama doesn't bode well for thinking that doesn't confirm well to the so-called Washington Consensus. Typical neoliberal toadies to the Wall Street?Chicago school myopia which is causing all of the pain many paople are now experiencing. These fools are dangerous.
beware of the leopard
· 12 months ago
Uh, oops. Wall Street/Chicago school...people.
Bush_Bites
· 12 months ago
I don't know about all the Chicago people, but I think Goolsbee's getting a bad rap.
Here's his conclusion on right-wing revisionists who are trying to resuscitate the Laffer Curve.
In other words, Goolsbee wrote, the evidence of “new” literature on tax responsiveness was no more compelling than the old. “It seems that, for now at least,” he concluded, “we will have to keep paying for our tax cuts the old fashioned way” – either by cutting expenditures, or, just possibly, dispensing with them altogether.
"Putting these two hacks within reach of Mr. Obama doesn't bode well..."
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Bush_Bites
· 12 months ago
Glad his picked a strong National Security Advisor.
You'd hate to have another situation where the cabinet people walk all over the NSA, like Rummy regularly did to Condi.
lark83
· 12 months ago
John, I think you're being hard on Petreaus (sp). All successful military officers are suckups. It may sound extremely denigrating, but at least its better than having an officer corps like, say Pakistan, who overthrows their elected government whenever they judge it to be incompetent.
Petreaus seems to understand the problems his soldiers face in Iraq, which is the most you can ask for in a general in charge.
Sean
· 12 months ago
I agree. As a member of the military you are taught to follow chain of command and protect your fellow soldiers. Petraeus has done a decent job of walking that line.
cmpnwtr
· 12 months ago
Thanks for the positive perspective, John. The stone throwers at Open Left and Daily Kos are already positioned to attack President Obama and his administration before he's even taken office.
mike
· 12 months ago
Adults? Can't agree with that. Adults take responsibility for their actions, adults admit when they're wrong, adults apologize to those who they've harmed, adults treat others with respect. This group of people is notable for not ever doing any of those things. Competent? This group is a testimony to the very notion of incompetence. These are the exact same people who gave us the war in Iraq, one of the great debacles of all time, and also the exact same people who gave us this economic collapse, possibly the greatest debacle of all time. Sorry, but only a right-winger who loved the military industrial complex and corporate bailouts would like this group. They all have a long history of betraying the people's interests. But hope springs eternal, and we'll hope they overcome their past and show they've learned from their many, many errors. But I'm not holding my breath.
beware of the leopard
· 12 months ago
Word.
ninepatch
· 12 months ago
Hillary Clinton is a big intellectual? Wow. Keep propping her up. Soon she will be a godess.
SCLiberal
· 12 months ago
Lincoln put some big egos in his cabinet as well: Salmon Chase wanted the presidency so bad he could taste it and tried back door dealing to get it all through the first term. While Lincoln was an inexperienced young lawyer Edwin Stanton humiliated him publicly, yet Lincoln chose him for his cabinet. I'm withholding my judgments of Obama until he has had a couple of years in office. Give him a chance.
lucky hussein
· 12 months ago
how did those guys work out for abe? thx..
SCLiberal
· 12 months ago
They actually worked out very well. I would HIGHLY recommend Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I've read tons about Lincoln but learned much from this book.
Upon Lincoln's death Stanton is the one who said, "Now he belongs to the ages." He had grown to be a good friend to Lincoln.
MaudGonne
· 12 months ago
TimePublished Sat, Nov 29, 2008 at 23:52 in Nation section MEN IN DARK: One of the 12 terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 27.
Mumbai: A group of 12 men travelled from Karachi on a vessel suspected to be owned by gangster Dawood Ibrahim to attack Mumbai, the only suspect arrested for the terrorist strike on India’s commercial capital has said. Mohammad Ajmal Mohammad Amir Kasar, 21, hails from Faridkot city in Pakistan. He was captured at the Girgaum Chowpatty Naka in Mumbai while he was trying to escape in a car he had snatched from its owner.
Kasar has given the police vital information about how the terrorist strike on Mumbai was planned. A group of Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists surveyed and prepared detailed maps of the locations they wanted to attack in Mumbai. All terrorists were trained in two camps for three months. To navigate through Mumbai, they had GPS direction finders and Google earth maps on CDs. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/12-evil-men-on-dawoo...
susanai56
· 12 months ago
Yes, isn't it nice to have adults in charge once again. Can't wait for Bush admin to go.
John - Baton Rouge
· 12 months ago
Change or more of the same. Electing a Democrat or Republican to the Presidency can never be change it is always more of the same since Zachary Taylor won the office with the Whig party. Change to most Americans now means what more will the government give me. Those Americans come in the form of minority groups, businessmen, bankers, lawyers, etc. This country is about to split at the seams due to religious, ethnic, moral, and economic issues. We, the US, will not survive these growing pains.
All Comments
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/107666/this_i...
"As chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2006, Emanuel promoted the campaigns of 22 candidates, only one of who supported a swift withdrawal from Iraq, and denied crucial Party funding to anti-war candidates"
Donna Z
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/the-...
I accept and have let go about the appointment of Rahm; however, I still remember who he is. The suggestion above was that Rahm doesn't put money first. He did. He probably still does. I don't trust him.
According to John D. MacArthur's groundbreaking book The Selling of Free Trade, Emanuel's specific responsibility at the time was convening weekly meetings with K Street lobbyists to plot about how to put pressure on Democrats to support the deal. Similarly, as an investment banker, he published a Wall Street Journal op-ed on the eve of the China free trade deal demanding Democrats support the agreement, which has resulted in the loss of thousands of good-paying U.S. jobs and further domestic wage deterioriation. In 2004, House Democrats nonetheless rewarded Emanuel by giving him a coveted slot on the Ways and Means Committee - the panel that oversees trade policy.
He certainly made a number of statements to Congress that are of questionable veracity and he tolerated 'Baghdad Boylan', his PR flack lying to reporters.
But you probably need someone like that to be able to deal with the Iraqi factions.
Yee Haw is not a foreign policy.
Somebody call Heritage Foundation and American Enterprise Institute quick!
We need to hire some incompetents to balance out the smart people!
And it will before Obama's first term is out.
As well, the advice of super adult Robert (Bob) Rubin bodes nothing but good for the American economy...nay, the world economy...as he brings the steady hand of Citi management to the table. Not to be left out is the Rubin/Summers bementored Timothy (Tim) Geithner (he speaks Chinese, you know), who brings his valuable experience in the Bear Stearns/Citi bailouts to the Obama administration, an experience that will be adultly valuable to future endeavors of Wall Street on behalf of Main Street.
Maybe using insiders and the well-oiled is the best and fastest way to enact the change we deserve. We'll just have to cross our fingers, wait and see. Godspeed to the next president.
Speaking of which, could we maybe ask the CEO's of GM, Ford & Chrysler about this when they return to Capitol Hill with tin cup in hand next week?
I think Petraeus gives advice when asked and otherwise salutes and marches to whatever orders are handed down.
nasty KKKristian nation led by the Falwells, the Robertsons, et alia.
November 4th has truly restored my hope. No...Obama will not be perfect. He
will make errors along his journey. But January 20th will feel like fresh
air after this period in our history which was like a dark cloud over us.
Prop 8 was a great tragedy on Election Day and may well force a very nasty
but cleansing case up to the SCOTUS. Hopefully Obama can replace some of the
wingnuts although I doubt it. It is the liberal judges that are aging.
Anyway, I am going to be very patient with Obama for two full years before
making any judgements on him. Jimmy Carter brought in all new faces and it
destroyed his Presidency. Obama seems very pragmatic and I will take that
for now.
Did you see Obama on 60 Minutes or Barbara Walters? Oh my gosh! We're going to have a likable, intelligent president who can do justice to the English language! Someone who makes us proud instead of sick. My hubby and I may start eating dinner in front of the evening news again.
You have very short memories. 16 years ago, the media said that Clinton had nothing worthwhile to say and therefore his speeches and appearances would no longer be covered. So If you are expecting to see refreshing coverage of Obama on the evening news, guess again. On the other hand, we get to watch as Bush picks his nose, farts, belches and talks with his mouth open ... all major, breaking news coverage.
Here's his conclusion on right-wing revisionists who are trying to resuscitate the Laffer Curve.
In other words, Goolsbee wrote, the evidence of “new” literature on tax responsiveness was no more compelling than the old. “It seems that, for now at least,” he concluded, “we will have to keep paying for our tax cuts the old fashioned way” – either by cutting expenditures, or, just possibly, dispensing with them altogether.
http://www.economicprincipals.com/issues/2008.0...
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
You'd hate to have another situation where the cabinet people walk all over the NSA, like Rummy regularly did to Condi.
Petreaus seems to understand the problems his soldiers face in Iraq, which is the most you can ask for in a general in charge.
Upon Lincoln's death Stanton is the one who said, "Now he belongs to the ages." He had grown to be a good friend to Lincoln.
MEN IN DARK: One of the 12 terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 27.
Mumbai: A group of 12 men travelled from Karachi on a vessel suspected to be owned by gangster Dawood Ibrahim to attack Mumbai, the only suspect arrested for the terrorist strike on India’s commercial capital has said. Mohammad Ajmal Mohammad Amir Kasar, 21, hails from Faridkot city in Pakistan. He was captured at the Girgaum Chowpatty Naka in Mumbai while he was trying to escape in a car he had snatched from its owner.
Kasar has given the police vital information about how the terrorist strike on Mumbai was planned. A group of Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists surveyed and prepared detailed maps of the locations they wanted to attack in Mumbai. All terrorists were trained in two camps for three months. To navigate through Mumbai, they had GPS direction finders and Google earth maps on CDs.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/12-evil-men-on-dawoo...
Electing a Democrat or Republican to the Presidency can never be change it is always more of the same since Zachary Taylor won the office with the Whig party.
Change to most Americans now means what more will the government give me. Those Americans come in the form of minority groups, businessmen, bankers, lawyers, etc.
This country is about to split at the seams due to religious, ethnic, moral, and economic issues.
We, the US, will not survive these growing pains.