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Obama Appointments Leave Little for GOP to Knock

Foreign-policy, economics teams peppered with respected, relatively conservative appointees

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 3, 2008 2:48 PM CST
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(Newser) – Barack Obama’s Cabinet picks leave Republicans with few lines of attack, Politico reports. In contrast to campaign rhetoric that painted Obama as a radical leftist, the retention of Robert Gates and selection of McCain buddy Jim Jones has won praise from GOP stalwarts. Karl Rove himself said Obama’s brainy, centrist economic appointments “provided surprisingly positive clarity.”

So far, the Republican National Committee’s response has sidestepped the personnel, sticking with criticisms of “burdensome” new spending and the possibility of meeting foreign dictators without preconditions. Still, one Republican strategist sees opportunity. The appointments signal “Obama’s real fight will be with the hard left of his own party. We should stand with him when he breaks with the left.”

A can of new drink Obama Soda made by French businessman Jean Jacques Attisso are displayed, in La Courneuve, outside Paris, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008.
A can of new drink "Obama Soda" made by French businessman Jean Jacques Attisso are displayed, in La Courneuve, outside Paris, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008.   (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Since Election Day Obama has been staying one move ahead on the chess board of politics, a Republican consultant says of his Cabinet appointments. Good policy is good politics.
"Since Election Day Obama has been staying one move ahead on the chess board of politics," a Republican consultant says of his Cabinet appointments. "Good policy is good politics."   (AP Photo)
Appointees like Robert Gates, left, and National Security Adviser-designate Ret. Marine Gen. James Jones, right, leave the GOP little room to complain.
Appointees like Robert Gates, left, and National Security Adviser-designate Ret. Marine Gen. James Jones, right, leave the GOP little room to complain.   (AP Photo)
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The reality is that had McCain been elected, his national security team would have looked much like Obama’s.
- Republican strategist Dan Senor

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
jaguarj
Dec 5, 2008 12:42 AM CST
Hey Pete..maybe he left the country!!!
Shannonals
Dec 4, 2008 7:34 PM CST
Corona_king, you amaze me, if your so unhappy, exactly when are you leaving the country?
jaguarj
Dec 4, 2008 6:09 AM CST
Gee..maybe they could give you a job, King, on foreign soil with a one-way ticket. Since you are involved in Int'l business, ie, drugs across the border????

Gates says he agrees with Obama on Iraq
Los Angeles Times

Obama promises governors that economic stimulus is coming soon
New York Times

 
Barack Obama • Karl Rove • Cabinet • RNC • Robert Gates • Lindsey Graham • Jim Jones • President Obama

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