Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

GOP Picks for Obama's 'Team of Rivals'

Who are the best bipartisan choices for Obama?

By Gabriel Winant,  Newser User

Posted Nov 18, 2008 8:26 AM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama talks a good game about bipartisanship. But now that he’s staffing up, it’s time to see if he walks the walk. The Wall Street Journal runs through some potential GOP appointees:

  • Jim Leach. This former Iowa congressman was chosen to help represent the president-elect at the G-20. He’s a veteran of the foreign service, and sounded early warnings about the unregulated financial system.

  • Chuck Hagel. The outgoing Nebraska senator pointedly didn’t endorse former ally John McCain. A Vietnam vet, he’s moved far from his party on foreign policy and national security.
  • Richard Lugar. The senior Indiana Republican has served with Obama on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and is known to like him and be eager to cooperate.
  • Mike Bloomberg. Well, not a Republican anymore, but as a widely admired and competent manager, Mayor Mike embodies many of the post-partisan values Obama likes to talk about.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, shakes hands with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., after he introduced him in the Great Hall of New York's Cooper Union, Thursday, March 27, 2008.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, shakes hands with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., after he introduced him in the Great Hall of New York's Cooper Union, Thursday, March 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This file photo from July 22, 2008 shows Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, walking with Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., as they tour the citadel in Amman, Jordan.
This file photo from July 22, 2008 shows Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, walking with Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., as they tour the citadel in Amman, Jordan.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Former Republican Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, addresses the crowed at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008.
Former Republican Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, addresses the crowed at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Finding meaningful Republican representation is important, not just for symbolic reasons but because the right kinds of Republicans can serve as a kind of human bridge across the partisan divide. -

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   World History Project   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne