Reply #17: This is probably uncomfortable to Obama and his team as well...

[ut oh]

But they have been up front about it and I thought I recall him also saying something to the extent of, if there was a pick who had ties/possible whatever, that they would be recusing themselves during those times to avoid conflict. If I'm recalling incorrectly forgive me...

Recusing oneself of be part of a decision process does not mean their expertise cannot be tapped for general types of information to help make a good decision.

Also, if you really want to finagle (sp?) rhetoric, note they said 'directly and substantially', so what if he was registered until July, but had not really done any 'real' work for a year - 18 months? We don't know everything and admittedly more could come out to sway it one way or another, but reading books by covers and all.

This candidate was also promoted as they said by many different experts across the political spectrum, it is reasonable that Obama is going to want THOSE kind of people aboard. It is going to be good to have people that are respected by a wide political range if Obama wants to accomplish his promises.