What Change?

[lets-retire]

"At this defining moment for our nation, the old ways of thinking and acting just won't do. They call for us to seek fresh thinking and bold new ideas from the leading minds across America. And they demand that as we chart a course to economic recovery, we ensure that our government -- your government -- is held accountable for delivering results," said Obama in a statement."

This is from an article on Money.com. Obama says we need "fresh thinking and bold ideas". Ok good, just how does he expect to get fresh ideas from Washington insiders. Out of all of his recent appointments, I've seen few who are from outside Washington. Most are former Clinton appointees or long time Democrat Congress critters. Some appointees are newbies, but most seem to be same-old-same-old.

Obama names Volcker to head economic group - Nov. 26, 2008

[FinanceDude]

Originally Posted by lets-retire

"At this defining moment for our nation, the old ways of thinking and acting just won't do. They call for us to seek fresh thinking and bold new ideas from the leading minds across America. And they demand that as we chart a course to economic recovery, we ensure that our government -- your government -- is held accountable for delivering results," said Obama in a statement."

This is from an article on Money.com. Obama says we need "fresh thinking and bold ideas". Ok good, just how does he expect to get fresh ideas from Washington insiders. Out of all of his recent appointments, I've seen few who are from outside Washington. Most are former Clinton appointees or long time Democrat Congress critters.

Obama names Volcker to head economic group - Nov. 26, 2008

What did you expect? At least he's smart enough to get folks that actually have real world experience, good or bad.......

The "change" is in how he talks, not what he does........

[youbet]

Originally Posted by FinanceDude

The "change" is in how he talks, not what he does........

We're just moving from one political team to another...... From one "take care of yourself and your allies first" team to another......

While I'm certainly cheering Obama on and hoping sincerely he is successful, I am finding that his slick rhetoric is becoming grating. Does every speech have to sound so pandering? How many times can he include the phrase "working familes" in a paragraph?

[CuppaJoe]

Four posts and we're not talking about "spare change." Maybe it's not so bad yet.

Guy asks for spare change. Other guy gives him a dime and a nickel from his pocket. First guy says, "I hear some quarters in there."

[FinanceDude]

Originally Posted by CuppaJoe

Four posts and we're not talking about "spare change." Maybe it's not so bad yet.

Guy asks for spare change. Other guy gives him a dime and a nickel from his pocket. First guy says, "I hear some quarters in there."

[Bestwifeever]

Good one, Cuppa!

[. . . Yrs to Go]

Originally Posted by lets-retire

Ok good, just how does he expect to get fresh ideas from Washington insiders. Out of all of his recent appointments, I've seen few who are from outside Washington. Most are former Clinton appointees or long time Democrat Congress critters. Some appointees are newbies, but most seem to be same-old-same-old.

It seems pretty obvious that the "Change" campaign slogan was mostly about changing the unpopular Republican president and his associated unpopular policies.

Don't need a bunch of greenhorns to do that.

"Mission Accomplished" BTW.

[. . . Yrs to Go]

And isn't it a little bit ridiculous criticizing the guy for selecting experienced people as his advisers. I can only imagine the howls of protest if he had picked a bunch of people no one had ever heard of (and deservedly so). I guess this is why they call it the "dedicated opposition".

And BTW, here is a bit of an early score card for you all . . .
1) Obama suggested he may not raise top marginal income tax rates during the crisis
2) Had his transition team looking at prepackaged bankruptcy for the Big 3
3) Blasted farm subsidies
4) Suggested the need for federal budget cuts to help pay for stimulus spending
5) Kept Robert Gates on at Defense
6) Chose a non-ideologue problem solver at Treasury
7) Intervened to stop Reid from disciplining Lieberman

Thus far he's making a lot of practical decisions and doesn't seem to be bending over for the UAW or the far left of his party (at least not yet). Good for him, and good for us.

[lets-retire]

I'm not criticizing, only pointing out that the "campaign of change" seems to have changed it's mind. It seems Obama's campaign of changing Washington isn't really change. He hasn't really tapped into the experienced and qualified state Democrats only people who have extensive experience at the federal level. My point is that it is very difficult to change anything when the majority of people being appointed are old time Washington politicians.

It does seem you are correct that the "campaign of change" has changed into only a change in who is in charge, not of changing Washington as was promised. It sounds a lot like Kerry's campaign of vote for me because I'm not Bush, only repackaged. This time it was vote for me because I'm not a Republican.

[. . . Yrs to Go]

Originally Posted by lets-retire

It does seem you are correct that the "campaign of change" has changed into only a change in who is in charge, not of changing Washington as was promised. It sounds a lot like Kerry's campaign of vote for me because I'm not Bush, only repackaged. This time it was vote for me because I'm not a Republican.

That is how I interpreted it from the very beginning. Sure some of the rhetoric was more grandiose "Change doesn't come from Washington, change comes to Washington." But nearly every single campaign (even McCain's) ran on a platform of "change" at some level. It was more an expression of the fact that the guy doing the job now has a 27% approval rating than anything else.

[dex]

Originally Posted by . . . Yrs to Go

And isn't it a little bit ridiculous criticizing the guy for selecting experienced people as his advisers. I can only imagine the howls of protest if he had picked a bunch of people no one had ever heard of (and deservedly so). I guess this is why they call it the "dedicated opposition".

It isn't that he picked experienced people. It is where they got there experience.
In his Demo acceptence speech he said "change does not come from Washington, it must be brought to Washington."
He then chooses Beiden as VP and the people he is bringing into his administration got their experience from Washington.

People are starting to notice the difference between the talk and the actions.

Could it be that Obama's lack of depth in governing, being a leader, being an executive is showing? Is he being led by the Washington insiders he said he would bring change to? Too early to tell. But so far I'm not seeing an outside the beltway team that will help him to bring change to Wash.

He can not do it alone. It is hubris to think that Obama by himself can lead the change by himself.

Transcript: President-Elect Barack Obama News Conference | The Economy and Paul Volcker | November 26, 2008 : Clips & Comment

Secondly, what federal — you talked about sacrifice yesterday — what federal programs specifically, one or two, would you cut to actually pay for your stimulus plan? And finally, you’re talking about changing Washington. Your campaign was — Paul Volcker has been around for a long time. Paul –
OBAMA: Paul, I think that’s an insult.
HENRY: He’s very highly respected, I want to add, very wise man.


But sir, you talked about John McCain who was going to come back to Washington if he won and just move people into different chairs. You’ve got Tom Daschle, Hillary Clinton –


OBAMA: Wait, wait, wait, hold on, hold on.
HENRY: We hear anyway.
OBAMA: You hear that, so first of all, that’s not the topic. We’re not talking about my cabinet because I haven’t made those appointments yet.
HENRY: So we’re talking about — Paul Volcker has been around a long time, so he’s somebody who knows the ways of Washington.
But what do you say to your supporters who are looking for change?
OBAMA: Actually, Paul Volcker hasn’t been in Washington for quite some time. And that’s part of the reason he can provide a fresh perspective.
Austan Goolsbee, from my understanding, you’ve never worked in Washington.
AUSTAN GOOLSBEE, ECONOMIST: I haven’t been in vacation.
OBAMA: This is about as fresh a face as you can get. Although — well, that’s all right.

[. . . Yrs to Go]

Originally Posted by dex

Could it be that Obama's lack of depth in governing, being a leader, being an executive is showing?

Seems like a preconceived notion looking for evidence to support it.

[dex]

Originally Posted by . . . Yrs to Go

Seems like a preconceived notion looking for evidence to support it.

Is that the best you could do?

Or, did the light of truth leave you speechless?

[. . . Yrs to Go]

Originally Posted by dex

Is that the best you could do?

Or, did the light of truth leave you speechless?

Well I see the preconceived notion. I still don't see the evidence supporting it (not here, certainly). All I see is a bunch of nit picky ideologues looking for something to criticize. I'm sure something more substantive will present it self soon enough. But if all you can come up with is this trivial, non-issue, I guess that means the early days are going pretty well for him.

I eagerly await the great controversy over the first dog . . . "He said he wanted to save a shelter dog, and he got a pure breed . . . THE B@STARD!"

[Vincenzo Corleone]

I'm finding it incredibly amusing that people are criticizing the guy already. Petty.

[. . . Yrs to Go]

Originally Posted by Vincenzo Corleone

I'm finding it incredibly amusing that people are criticizing the guy already. Petty.

I find it incredibly amusing that they don't have anything more valid to criticize but find the need to criticize anyway.

[dex]

Is the press asking questions criticizing?

Shouldn't the press hold elected officials to the promises they made to get elected?

From the press:

"But sir, you talked about John McCain who was going to come back to Washington if he won and just move people into different chairs. You’ve got Tom Daschle, Hillary Clinton –"

If the advisers and key personnel that will shape and execute policies are trivial; what is important?

[toofrugalformycat]

Originally Posted by lets-retire

"At this defining moment for our nation, the old ways of thinking and acting just won't do. They call for us to seek fresh thinking and bold new ideas from the leading minds across America. And they demand that as we chart a course to economic recovery, we ensure that our government -- your government -- is held accountable for delivering results," said Obama in a statement."

This is from an article on Money.com. Obama says we need "fresh thinking and bold ideas". Ok good, just how does he expect to get fresh ideas from Washington insiders. Out of all of his recent appointments, I've seen few who are from outside Washington. Most are former Clinton appointees or long time Democrat Congress critters. Some appointees are newbies, but most seem to be same-old-same-old.

Obama names Volcker to head economic group - Nov. 26, 2008

So your point is that none of the appointments so far are "leading minds"? Or that he's supposed to beheld accountable to deliver results before the inauguration?
I agree that he is loading up on experienced people, but I see no proof that they will not be open to new ideas.
Considering the very deep, somewhat frightening hole we are in at the moment, I find his appointments logical, from my limited knowledge and perspective.
Also considering all the criticism about his lack of experience, I find it puzzling that he's being criticized for choosing experienced people to work with.

[youbet]

He's NOT chosing experienced people to work with. He's taking the same-old, same-old Washington insiders and shuffling them around, some to different chairs, some right back to their old chairs. He said he would not do this.

Why not bring in experienced people, but people with fresh, new ideas that can implement the change we need to dig out of this hole?

[youbet]

Originally Posted by . . . Yrs to Go

and doesn't seem to be bending over for the UAW

Other than having Pelosi tell the Big Three CEO's that asking for UAW give-backs would not be part of their plan.......

The first 25 Billion of the Big Three bailout was promised by Obama pre-election to ensure votes. Don't be naive.