Reply #1: Exactly.

[political_Dem]

That's why it behooves the American citizenry to question and provide dissent about these choices. Mr. Obama isn't working in a vaccuum. There are some serious problems that surround some of the nominees who were chosen. And in some cases, it makes it seem as if his choices were more politically motivated than practical. This is the part that is distinctly bothering me.

Despite all this, I still believe Mr. Obama to be a brilliant tactician whose time has come in many ways. He will do our country proud. But he's got to stop with the "team of rivals" approach. Just because his nominees are presented as being "independent in their own minds" does not mean that they are honorable or trustworthy in their positions. They still carry the same feelings before the nomination as after it. There won't be conversions of personality overnight.

All in all, politics is a dangerous business.

He needs to pick suitable people who will have his best interests. Just because they are "allies" doesn't mean that they are less qualified or that they can't disagree with his ideas. He needs people he can trust--especially if he gets put in danger. Having people in those sensitive positions that one can trust will be more in its weight in gold than having adversaries who are aiming daggers at his back.

What is especially telling is the fact that he put one of his most caustic rivals in the position that is Fourth in line to the Presidency. I still maintain that this is a quid pro quo agreement. If he wanted Mrs. Clinton in his cabinet, why not put her in a position where she can do the most good (like in HHS or Education)? She will still have to agree to the same transparency. She will not be able to raise funds for any future campaigns. She will still have to make the same agreements about her husband. Nothing would change except that she would be put into a suitable position that would make her talents shine.

Is it wrong to expect people to be placed in a position in which they are the most strong in their qualifications and talents?