From an AP article published today:
"[Obama] defended his selection of former Clinton officials to help run his administration.
"The American people would be troubled if I selected a treasury secretary or a chairman of the National Economic Council at one of the most critical economic times in our history who had no experience in government whatsoever," Obama said. "What we are going to do is combine experience with fresh thinking," he said. "But understand where the vision for change comes from. First and foremost, it comes from me. That's my job." [emphasis added.]
This quote makes two important points:
1. The President-elect understands that he has abandoned the Change mantra by his appointments, and
2. He has put the full weight of Change on his own shoulders.
From a supporter: As brilliant as you are; as tough as you may be; immersing yourself in this sea of entrenched, Establishment, old school advisers and officials will drown you. You are swimming with the (much more experienced) sharks who themselves are the root cause of the problem.
Designating Paul Volcker as the commander of your "outsider" Economic Team is the functional equivalent of designating Randy "Duke" Cunningham as the leader of your "outside" Ethics in Government Team.
Sir, the people want precisely those with "no experience whatsoever in government" to be advising you. Why? (A rhetorical question, sir.)
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