Thoughts on Obamas Cabinet...

[lil red jeep]

What do you all think his cabinet will look like? I know this is opening things up to criticism but hoping for mature responses anyway.

I've heard that Gates may be or perhaps already has been asked to stay as Sec. of Defense.

CBS reports that Kerry is bucking for Sec. of State, but that would suck!

I also saw that Colin Powell is on the short list for Sec. of Education, and Caroline Kennedy may be asked to be Ambassador to the U.N.

I think we'll see quite a few former Clinton folks in the mix, but I also see a strong desire to put the best people in place regardless of party affiliations.

Thoughts...?

[emanuel]

Outside possibility but I believe Obama is a big enough man to offer McCain a position.

[sand flea]

It's doubtful that McCain would be offered a position, nor would he take it. The two don't like each other personally. Kerry's likely as the pick to take over for the State Department.

That said, there are several conservatives that Obama is said to be eyeing for his Cabinet. Chuck Hagel and Richard Lugar, for starters. And he's likely to keep the current SecDef from the Bush Administration.

He has a history of picking from both sides. When he was president of the Harvard Law Review, he actually chose three guys from the Federalist Society (an extremely conservative organization) as editors because he liked them and thought they were smart. Apparently got a ration of sh** for it from his friends on the left.

Time will tell.

[uncdub13]

It's doubtful that McCain would be offered a position, nor would he take it. The two don't like each other personally.

Completely off topic, but then again this is the lounge. Did anyone see South Park last night?

If not, you can watch the whole thing online..

http://www.southparkstudios.com/

I think they like each other..

[drawinout]

It's doubtful that McCain would be offered a position, nor would he take it. The two don't like each other personally. Kerry's likely as the pick to take over for the State Department.

That said, there are several conservatives that Obama is said to be eyeing for his Cabinet. Chuck Hagel and Richard Lugar, for starters. And he's likely to keep the current SecDef from the Bush Administration.

He has a history of picking from both sides. When he was president of the Harvard Law Review, he actually chose three guys from the Federalist Society (an extremely conservative organization) as editors because he liked them and thought they were smart. Apparently got a ration of sh** for it from his friends on the left.

Time will tell.

Obama was able to get along with the few conservatives that existed on the Harvard Law Review at that time. The Harvard Law Review was mostly liberal.

A name I would look for,,,,, Warren Buffet.

I can assure you he'll be giving the President Elect some much needed advice on economic issues.

[emanuel]

Warren Buffett is rumored to be in the running for Treasury Secretary. After all, the guy is a moneymaking wizard.

As for McCain, he may have some small animosity toward Obama but overall he is a decent and patriotic person who will do what he has to do to make sure things get done. I'm still very impressed by his concession speech.

[drawinout]

Warren Buffett is rumored to be in the running for Treasury Secretary. After all, the guy is a moneymaking wizard.

As for McCain, he may have some small animosity toward Obama but overall he is a decent and patriotic person who will do what he has to do to make sure things get done. I'm still very impressed by his concession speech.

Whether he will have an official title or not, Warren Buffet will certainly be giving advice to the Obama camp. Obviously, Mccain gave a good concession speech. However, let's not forget the fact that before the winner of the election was clear, and a lady mentioned that she was "afraid" of what would happen if Barrack Obama was elected, Senator Mccain made it clear that Senator Obama had no ill intentions. It takes some grit to stick up for an opponent like that during such a crucial time in an election. As far as Mccain playing any major roll in the Obama Administration, it's unlikely. Mccain, obviously, is a conservative, and I doubt he'll be willing to cooperate but so much with the 1st and 3rd most liberal senators in the senate. Time will tell.

[emanuel]

I think Obama's conciliatory gestures will include McCain in some matters of state and advice. Just remember, it wasn't long ago that many people in the GOP wanted McCain run out of the party for being too "liberal".

As I've said, Senator McCain is a true patriot and as I recall, the last Republican I've voted for (back in 2000).

[hamlet]

Warren Buffett is rumored to be in the running for Treasury Secretary. After all, the guy is a moneymaking wizard.

As for McCain, he may have some small animosity toward Obama but overall he is a decent and patriotic person who will do what he has to do to make sure things get done. I'm still very impressed by his concession speech.
I had heard Warren Buffet has been asked to advise him... having Buffet actually be Sec. of Treas. might be a bit of a problem. Not saying it can't happen, but remember Buffet is head dude at BerkShire Hathaway, a huge inventment company. Buffet makes the decisions that millions of investors profit by. I think he would have to divest himself of that connection, and it is more or less his life and fame.

[surfsidesativa]

I know that I'm outnumbered on this site but I have confidence that this man will surround himself with the most capable people in all fields regardless of their political affiliation.

I doubt that he'll embarrass us by appointing an arabian horse racing dork with no credentials to head up FEMA.

How is Haliburton/Cheney any less of a case of conflict of interest than Buffet/Berk?

[hamlet]

I know that I'm outnumbered on this site but I have confidence that this man will surround himself with the most capable people in all fields regardless of their political affiliation.

I doubt that he'll embarrass us by appointing an arabian horse racing dork with no credentials to head up FEMA.

How is Haliburton/Cheney any less of a case of conflict of interest than Buffet/Berk?

Again, I don't know what the laws are in detail so I am speculating. But Cheney was not employed by Halliburton when he was VP. If he (or any appointee) have stock they have to put it in trust.

Buffet owns Berkshire Hathaway. He is not simply an employee, he is a major stockholder... controlling interest I think (but I'm not sure on that). Berkshire Hathaway is nothing but a money investing company. They buy and sell companies for fun and profit. They profit or lose based on Treasury decisions. It would be like putting the CEO of General Electric in as Sec. of Defense, only worse. I'm not sure how you put an entire company in trust.

Here is Berkshire's website
http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/

The stock ticker symbol BRK.A
Current price per share: $112,200, down $4900 today

As you can see from the price, Buffet does not believe in share splitting... he wants the big boys playing in his sandbox.

[surfsidesativa]

Hali, just like BRK.A is a publicly traded company the last time I checked. I admit that I don't know the exact #'s but Mr. Cheney was and is flush with hali stocks.

[hamlet]

Hali, just like BRK.A is a publicly traded company the last time I checked. I admit that I don't know the exact #'s but Mr. Cheney was and is flush with hali stocks.

As I said, your stocks are required to be put in trust to prevent conflict of interest. Same with Bush and oil stocks.

I didn't say Buffet *can't* be given the post.

All I am saying is that I would wonder, as deep into BRK.A as Buffet is, if he would want to divest just to be Sec of Treas. We shall see. Buffet is the controlling interest in the company. His statement says that on his death there will still be *a* controlling shareholder with his investment philosophy, and he also says his estate is almost entirely BRK stock.

This is not Cheney. This is one of the wealthiest men in the world and his wealth is concentrated in *one* stock/company. Who would he put it all in trust with?

Anyway.. I repeat... who knows? It will be fun to watch.

[wolfva]

I think his cabinet will be box shaped, probably with drawers. I'd hope he'd go for a nice cherry cabinet, but you never know, perhaps he likes mahogany better. That would look nice to....oh wait, not that kind of cabinet....uh....

I think it'd be nice if he gave Lieberman a position in his cabinet; especially since Joe is about to lose his committee chairmanship since he dared to buck the Almighty Harry Reid of Oz. Dunno about Colin Powel as Sec/Ed though. State or Defense, definately. He'd do a pretty good job at those.

Know who'd probably make a great Sec/Ed? Laura Bush. Not going to try and figure the odds of that happening though!

[surfsidesativa]

Hamlet, I think you should give economics lessons to any right-wing person who wants to argue politics on the internet... seriously.

The difference to me is the amount of power cheney held (still) in this admin compared to that that buffet will hold in the new admin. Pure speculation on all parts but it's something to think about at the very least.

The pendulum has swung (inevitably) from the right to the left and it won't be for the last time.

I, for one, am going to stop arguing about "warren buffet" and turn on some "jimmy buffet" and enjoy myself a night cap. I assume you know that Jimmy is Warren's nephew???

On another note, it looks like some bad news regarding unemployment will be released tomorrow so I wouldn't be shocked to see anothe DD loss on the DOW tomorrow.

[hamlet]

short the first bounce at 9:45, cover at 11:00... then have whatever fun you like at 3:00.
:)

[lil red jeep]

Any chance T.Boone Pickens for Sec. Energy? Aside from owning a huge amount of natural gas reserves, the guy really seems to want to see the US get out from under OPEC's thumb.

[RuddeDogg]

Completely off topic, but then again this is the lounge. Did anyone see South Park last night?

If not, you can watch the whole thing online..

http://www.southparkstudios.com/

I think they like each other..

That was THE BEST episode that I have ever seen. Truly a classic.

[emanuel]

I already called Mr. Obama this morning and asked him to make Sand Flea Secretary of the Interior. I hope he didn't think I meant "Interior Decorator". :D

[kmw21230]

T Boone Pickens seem to be a stand up guy. I would really like to see him, Obama and Gore make some huge changes in how we use oil. I know he wasn't all Big Rigs to be made to use natural gas. From what I read it would save us millions of barral of oil.

As far as Buffet goes. I say give him the job if he wants it. We don't need a washington insider. We need a man who has made billions to run our governments money issues.

[jcreamer]

I would like to see Colin Powell as Sec of Defense.

[shaggy]

I know that I'm outnumbered on this site but I have confidence that this man will surround himself with the most capable people in all fields regardless of their political affiliation.

I doubt that he'll embarrass us by appointing an arabian horse racing dork with no credentials to head up FEMA.


Well not real sure about that, or his infamous "CHANGE" statements.

How about Rahm Emanuel?

"Clinton appointed Emanuel to mortgage giant Freddie Mac's board, a post that paid him at least $292,774 in director's fees, according to a financial disclosure report Emanuel filed in 2002 when he ran for Congress. Emanuel served on the board when Freddie Mac misstated its earnings by $5 billion for 2000-2002. When the problem was uncovered in 2003, three top Freddie Mac executives were forced out. "

Seems more of the same already to me

[RuddeDogg]

I would like to see Colin Powell as Sec of Defense.

that would be a good choice.

[jhmorgan]

Kerry as anything cabinet related scares the hell out of me. And Secretary of state? I mean, I know the guy has a long "career" in the Senate, but really Sec of State? The same man who tried his hardest to gain political power by embarrassing troops in Vietnam is going to be meeting with foreign dignitaries and setting up our global agendas?

[jcreamer]

Kerry as anything cabinet related scares the hell out of me. And Secretary of state? I mean, I know the guy has a long "career" in the Senate, but really Sec of State? The same man who tried his hardest to gain political power by embarrassing troops in Vietnam is going to be meeting with foreign dignitaries and setting up our global agendas?Scary huh:eek::eek:

[fishnut]

Whoever he choses better be up to date on foreign affairs. Its gonna be a tough first six month for this administration if not 4 yrs. If you don't think so ask Joe Biden! The russians are already making moves but hopefully the Bush admin. will handle them before they leave.

[sprtsracer]

Here ya go! Best choices for Obama!

Secretary of Education: Jeremiah Wright
Secretary of Defense: Bernadette Dorn
Secretary of the Interior: John Passacantando, (Executive Director of Greenpeace)
Secretary of the Treasury: Tony Rezco
Secretary of State: Jane Fonda
Secretary of Homeland Security: Bill Ayers
Attorney General: Susan Herman (Current Head of ACLU)
Secretary of Agriculture: Mel Bartholemew (The "Square Foot Gardener")
Secretary of Commerce: Sam Webb, (National Chair, Communist Party USA)
Secretary of Labor: Cecil Roberts, (President of the United Mine Workers)
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Dr. Richard Kivorkian
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Jimmy Carter
Secretary of Transportation: Ralph Nader
Secretary of Energy: Hugo Chavez
Secretary of Veterans Affairs: John Kerry

Of course, he still has to find a place for Oprah and Barbara Streisand! Maybe there is an "ambassadorship" for them there somewhere!

[Al Kai]

I would like to see Colin Powell as Sec of Defense.

So would I.