I have two names I'd like to hear mentioned at some point:

[CarbonDate]

1. Wesley Clark

2. Samantha Power

Neither of them necessarily needs a cabinet-level position, but they should have some role in shaping policy for this administration. Power's affiliation with Obama was a big reason I supported him in the primaries. If I wanted Hillary Clinton shaping our foreign policy, I'd have supported Hillary Clinton.

I'm not bailing on Obama; I know he needs experienced hands at the table, but I'm hoping he throws those of us who were looking to take the country in a new direction a bone. And again, I'm not averse to former Clinton administration officials serving in the Obama White House. On the whole, I think it's a good thing, but as someone who supported Obama on foreign policy (particularly the Iraq War), the sudden shift to "business as usual" is a bit jarring.

[dkf]

1. Wouldn't it be ironic if Samantha Power is directing Hillary Clinton?

That might actually give me some confidence in Obama's pick of Hillary.

[CarbonDate]

2. Well, I doubt that.

I don't think anybody directs Hillary Clinton but Hillary Clinton -- not even Bill.

I'm not coming here to bash Hillary Clinton, though. I'm just a big fan of Wesley Clark and Samantha Power, who both have more foreign policy smarts in their pinkies than most politicians have in their whole bodies.

[dkf]

7. Obama says Hillary is there to execute his foreign policy, not

to implement her own. If Hillary does not let him fully direct policy, then he has to fire her.

[RichGirl]

8. It's not just experience.

Anybody can have experience and Hillary will have experience after she's been in the job for a while. Hillary has the admiration, respect and love of the whole world...world leaders know her and trust her. No amount of experience trumps that. People need to understand that. Obama is not an idiot, he knows exactly what he is doing.

And...voting for someone means you trust them to do a job. It does not mean they owe you or need to throw you a bone. You wouldn't want to get a job based on your unique talents and then have your boss micro-manage and tell you "what is expected of you" at every turn!

I voted for Obama. I want him to make the decisions. I'm sure many here at DU are very smart, but I DID NOT vote for any of you and do not want you to be the ones to make the decisions.

[CarbonDate]

10. Let me know...

...when you find a job where you're left to your own devices rather than receiving direction and feedback from your boss. I haven't heard of such a job. Most times, when someone fails to live up to the expectations of the people who hired them, they're kicked to the curb in favor of someone who will.

I don't do "just trust me". Not after the last eight years.

[Beacool]

19. Oh, the delusions of some people.............

:eyes:

[Sebastian Doyle]

20. 'Yo Monster?? We're gonna ship you off to Iran this afternoon!

Yeah, that's right.... you get to talk to the mullahs face to face. And don't be surprised if they mention that whole Obliteration business" :evilgrin:

[dkf]

25. That would be priceless. HAHAHA.

[cali]

3. and for me, it's howard dean.

but seriously, our pet picks are irrelevant.

[CarbonDate]

4. Well yes, but I donated nearly a thousand dollars to his campaign.

And I'm not rich. I'm a USAF SSgt. I'd like to think that my opinion still matters a little now that the election's over.

Seriously. If it's going to be like that, I just won't bother next time.

[cali]

5. I donated as well, and I did NOT expect to get anything from it

Seriously, I find your attitude distressing. So if some bundler got together $200,000, should he/she have 200x the input and influence you do?

[CarbonDate]

11. I expect not to be told to STFU when I have a damn opinion.

I find *your* attitude distressing.

[cali]

16. strawman. I obviously did NOT tell you to STFU

duh.

[RichGirl]

9. For God's sake!

Can you imagine the incredible mess we would be in if Obama thought he had to listen to every opinion of anyone who donated a certain amount of money??? I'm sure you are a wonderful person and it's great you donated money. But, I didn't vote for you and don't want you or any other doner to make the decisions. I voted for Obama.

[CarbonDate]

12. Well, I'm sorry you want me to sit down and shut up now that I'm no longer useful.

I won't. I'm still here, and I'm going to speak my mind.

Jesus. And my post was *tame*.

"You know, I'd like to see XYZ qualified people in this administration."

"Your opinion doesn't matter!"

Do you see why I'm a little put off?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

24. "Do you see why I'm a little put off?"

No, quite frankly you sound a bit whiny.

If you can't handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

[H2O Man]

6. Two good choices.

I think that both should be given serious consideration.

[CarbonDate]

13. You know what? Fuck it.

This apparently isn't a place for discussion. It's a place for pep rallies and fanfare.

YAY OBAMA!

I'm done.

[Forkboy]

14. Don't let them get to you.

Half the people here who tell you your opinion doesn't really matter post their opinion constantly. Either they post knowing what they say doesn't matter, or they're lying to you. Fuck 'em either way. Post what you want, when you want.

[cali]

21. strawman much? no one is saying the OP can't post what he/she wishes

no one has told the OP to shut up. No one has said the OP's opinion doesn't matter There is no obligation for anyone to agree with the OP however. Of course the OP can post what he/she wants, when he/she wants to. So can everyone else.

[Forkboy]

23. The strawman is all yours, cali.

I never said that anyone told him to shut up. I never said that anyone told him he couldn't post what he wanted. Provide the quote where I said either thing, please.

I said to post what he wanted when he wanted and to ignore those that said his opinion didn't matter, which you basically did.

but seriously, our pet picks are irrelevant.

I realize you didn't mean that as an insult or anything. But it's like saying the OP is wasting his time even trying, and the effect is the same as saying they don't matter.

[Shiver]

22. Nobody said any such thing

Calm down, please. You're mistaking disagreement with insult; what was happening was a discussion...

[AtomicKitten]

15. Good list. I also would add Howard Dean. n/t

[No Elephants]

17. Suggestions made at www.change.gov may have more impact than those posted here. Just sayin'.

[FrenchieCat]

18. It is my belief that all three, Clark, Power, and Dean will have a role

in Obama's administration.

Patience is a virtue......and you will need a bit more of it to see you through.

[scarletwoman]

26. The names I'd like hear are Joseph Stigiltz and Robert Reich.

But I'm not holding my breath.