Michael
Jun 8th 2009, 08:12 PM
Obama has tapped another Republican to serve in a 'non-cabinet' position - this time as Secretary of the Army.
Now Obama's appointments of various Republicans is probably pretty smart politics. There's talk that he's targetting 'New England' Republicans specifically in order to help further marginalize the Republicans as a 'southern rump' party.
Now I don't have a problem with that. That's probably smart politics. But I do object to bringing on board Republicans that are not in favor of Obama's stated policy.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06/obama-army-secretary-nominee-tussled-with-obama-gates-over-pentagon-budget.php
This is particularly significant given that the Secretary of the Army has a big role to play in pushing WH policies on weapon procurements. This looks like a symbolic walkback by Obama on daring to challenge the MIC's budget.
I sure hope I'm wrong, but if Obama can't push through a few symbolic cuts to a few bloated and dysfunctional Pentagon pet-projects, while holding majorities in both houses of Congress, any hope for US fiscal sanity or a rationalized foreign policy will go out the window.
Now Obama's appointments of various Republicans is probably pretty smart politics. There's talk that he's targetting 'New England' Republicans specifically in order to help further marginalize the Republicans as a 'southern rump' party.
Now I don't have a problem with that. That's probably smart politics. But I do object to bringing on board Republicans that are not in favor of Obama's stated policy.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06/obama-army-secretary-nominee-tussled-with-obama-gates-over-pentagon-budget.php
This is particularly significant given that the Secretary of the Army has a big role to play in pushing WH policies on weapon procurements. This looks like a symbolic walkback by Obama on daring to challenge the MIC's budget.
I sure hope I'm wrong, but if Obama can't push through a few symbolic cuts to a few bloated and dysfunctional Pentagon pet-projects, while holding majorities in both houses of Congress, any hope for US fiscal sanity or a rationalized foreign policy will go out the window.