If there was a common thread that united President-elect Obama’s constituency – apart from the dream of getting a glance at his pecs (ZOMG!!1!) – it was his opposition to the criminally racist Bu$Hitler regime of imperialistic war for oil racism. Criminal. Ist.
For battalions of his hyperthyrodic supporters, Obama’s opposition to the war as a state senator in Illinois is what chiefly differentiated him from Mrs. Inevitable, his irretrievably damaged future Secretary of State. Who – infuriatingly – refused to repudiate her vote authorizing military force in Iraq, based as it was on the facts that she knew as she knew them.
Which, what kind of standard is that?
Anyway, the President-elect has chosen to continue, for the nonce, the employment of President Bush’s politically-appointed, imperialist, torture-mongering racist lackeys (who shredded teh Constitution while shilling for Halliburton). At least until qualified replacements can be found from within his party’s ranks (and, by the way, good luck with that):
Obama wants Bush war team to stay
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has asked most Bush administration political appointees except those targeted for dismissal to stay on in the Pentagon until replaced by the Obama administration in the coming months.
“I have received authorization from the president-elect’s transition team to extend a number of Department of Defense political appointees an invitation to voluntarily remain in their current positions until replaced,” Mr. Gates said in an Dec. 19 e-mail to political appointees.
The chance to stay is “available to all willing political appointees with the exception of those who are contacted individually and told otherwise,” he stated.
I actually believe that this is eminently sensible, at several different levels; military, political, Machiavellian. It wouldn’t make much sense to empty the Pentagon of competent political leadership while awaiting the months-long confirmation of replacements even as forces are engaged in combat operations abroad. It “reaches out” across the political divide. And it insulates The Prince from negative consequences should things go south, either in Iraq or Afghanistan.
But I do wonder how his supporters – For Change! – feel about it. Because, pragmatic though the decision might be, he does run the risk of tainting all those war crime trials.
And where would we be without those?
Yes, Lex, for insulation…and someone to blame when his expanded war in Afghanistan/Pakistan goes south in a hurry.
But he has forgotten Harry Truman’s desk motto…”The Buck Stops Here”. He will be responsible for all. He cannot just vote “present”.
It would be fun watching his foreign policy train wreck, if it were not going to cost the lives of some wonderful men and women in our services. Our military deserve much better leadership than we will have for the next 4 to 8 years.
Never did a Pentagon tour. eh?
Making sense of the Beltway crowd isn’t something anyone with a rational mind should attempt – even if they did grow up within sight of the place….
The hope-n-change mouthbreathers are already having the vapors about most of his publicly announced appointments. I guess they will start calling for the Messiah’s impeachment and war crime execution in about a year.
Give ‘em a chance Lex. It takes an Autistic individual a little time to spool up the thought processes on these matters. I know – I am watching two Autistic grandkids grow up in my home. It’s a lot like watching leftists try to make sense of the world. The gears turn, furiously at times, but nothing comes out.
“except those targeted for dismissal”
So long as Dr. Chu is on THAT list-I call it a win.
Seriously-I guess it is too much to give Obama the benefit of the doubt and say he is letting Gates have his freedom to run DOD as he see’s fit.
Personally I think its a smart move. The ones that need changing can be driven out later……
For near 2 years we’ve been hearing the whet stone on blade as Obamalexander has prepped to cut the Gordian Knot of the misguidedly evil Bushitler Iraqistanian war. Now he replaces the sword with a butter knife?
What did he know, and when did he know it?
[...] on this: Neptunus Lex, TIME.com, Hot Air, CNN, The Jed Report, Real Clear Politics, The Note and Associated [...]
Folks, Obama is a Chicago Democrat. Did you think he was stupid enough to simply gut everything? This way he can have the best of both results, good or bad, troops be damned. He sure as hell won’t stay up at night writing letters.
But I do wonder how his supporters – For Change! – feel about it.
AHHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I love to visit Washingtonmonthly.com and watch them as they struggle with the realization that Santa isn’t putting a true progressive in their stocking this year after all.
The public appointments aren’t the most dangerous. We’ll have to see about the rest later. It will be interesting to watch when they find they can’t borrow their way out of things this time around.
QM,
They’ve been ‘borrowing’ since the ’70s. Recall what they did the last time they could not ‘borrow’ money. Yes, they’ll just print as much as they need and start to warn us about the dangers of inflation right about the same time they change their tunes and start to warn about man-made global cooling.
Something to look forward to!
I’ve always found that the best time to look for a new job was when I already had a job, not after I’d been fired or discovered layoffs were coming down the pike (not that I’ve ever been fired, but you get the idea).
Makes me wonder, how many of these political appointees are going to stay on and do as little as possible that might catch an eye, all the while sending out feelers and polishing that resignation letter?
I’m thinking retention isn’t going to be all that great.
– Max
I’m sorely disappointed. Here I bought a new 80hr Sony SVR 3000 deluxe Tivo, Gynormous flat screen, and new top-end Polk Audio surround sound speakers–just to watch the War Crimes Trials….
I’m really more worried about the EPA, Interior, Energy Dept and Science Adviser positions–along with secondary and tertiary bureaucratic staffing–and for what it means for energy policy–looks like Obama and his appointee designates are all Algore true believer kool-aid sipping–nay gulping–acolytes in regards Global “Warming.” Many of the new hire bureaucrats will be around to poison the well for decades. Could cripple national economy for years thru regulatory strangulation, let alone any legislation am equally misguided Donkey Congress can gin up.
“am can gin up” I LIKE that!
Max,
Retention will be fine until the economy recovers-however some friends I have are concerned about a return of “force shaping” because even now money is getting tight within DOD.
Lex quote: “I actually believe that this is eminently sensible, at several different levels; military, political, Machiavellian. It wouldn’t make much sense to empty the Pentagon of competent political leadership while awaiting the months-long confirmation of replacements even as forces are engaged in combat operations abroad. It “reaches out” across the political divide.”
Unlike the President Elect of 1999!!!!
Skippy,
New guidance just out for 0-5/06-6 TIG. Starts with :
“DUE TO HIGH RETENTION AND LOW ATTRITION IN SOME ELEMENTS OF OUR OFFICER CORPS..”
Sorta reinforces what you say.
b2
Actually, I’ve been having a lot of fun by saying nice things about Obama to the local liberals. It’s hysterical – you can see the gears grinding and the expressions of panic are priceless. Then I finish them off with, “I was surprised, but he’s turning out to be a lot more conservative than Hillary.” Not that I believe any of that, but it’s fun to let the mean streak out once in a while…
Gosh, Hillman. Hard to know where to start. The “president-elect” of 1999 was Bill Clinton I guess, who by that time was finishing his 7th year in the Oval Office.
Perhaps you’re thinking of the P-E for 2000, who was inaugurated in 2001? And forgetting the subsequent events such as 9/11 and two wars? Which is why it’s sensible, in my view, the keep the national security team in place. At least until a new team can be built.
Then? You may begin your war crimes trials.
Wow, Hillmann four (4) exclamation points!! You must be REALLY smart and REALLY hate President BusHitler. I’m happy for you. Things are going to be so great, what with all the change we are going to get.
Hillman,
Myopic memory is curable, please see your family physician ASAP. The Nose Knows that Change is a Terrible Mind to Waste.
Hey Lex & Nose… whats the big flippen deal?… So Hillmann demonstrates in one short declarative sentence that he suffers from the duel and oh so cruel and emasculating( assuming he’s a he) effects of Chronological Mal-Arrangement Disorder and Excessive Exclamation Point Self Abuse Syndrome…suggest you cut him some major slack…it’s the holiday season after all…and besides I got his point …however lamely made. Best
B2,
Its funny how things go in cycles. Last I heard was that 1110’s were 400 Captains short against all the billets they have to fill ( which does not include IA’s). Aviation was making good the difference but the “exit point” for them was dropping (e.g. they were bolting for retirement as soon as they could). I thought the goal was to keep them around longer.
Seems to me-if they even sniffed the word “RIF” it would blow up politically and would be something to be avoided.
All this aside, I’d like to wish all my friends here at Lex’s house a Merry Christmas. And the same to all those rough men and women who stand ready to do harm against our nations enemies…from within and without. It’s a good time to remember why we celebrate tomorrow, that we can again remember Who was born that day, two millenia ago, to forgive us our sins and give hope for redempion, each and every one of us, no matter the faith, color, or political creed. Hillman, even you should rejoice the day, and try to understand that we are all His children, and forgo hate for love, as He would have it. Life is far too short to live with hate; rather, give it to Him.
Hey, Hillman — let’s assume you’re right. This the kind of Clinton Pentagon appointee that should have been held over?
Byron, back atcha.
Scott, please try not to torment the troll.
Let’s all keep B’s post in mind, and remember that five exclamation points are the sign of an insane mind, so let’s not push Hilly over the edge.
Skippy-sama, I agree that Barry’s been smart about DoD, but does it hurt to observe that he benefits in more than one way? In fact, I would consider it a positive talking point with respect to his political acumen.
I know a lot of folks on both sides of the aisle are having conniption fits over so many former Clintonites, but I’d rather have a center-left administration than the Berkeley goobers in charge.
Casey, it may just be a tick that caused that finger to keep hitting the shift and 1 key repeatedly. We should pity the disabled.
We are getting the Chicago goobers instead. Nothing to recommend that either. The guys behind the scenes may well be the most dangerous as you want those guys doing there thing without being in the spotlight.
QM: could be, could be. On the other hand, I am reminded of an old Mark Twain aphorism, to the effect that an old man said, upon his deathbed, that most of the things he feared never came to pass….
Casey: and even paranoids have enemies. For a leftist (another term for a paranoid) their enemies are always anyone even the slightest closer to sanity than they are.
Besides, baiting trolls is fun.