CNN

Ok.

[...] Poll: Most think Obama will pick Cabinet right [...]

I think that the Sec of Tres. will be the most important cabinet pick for Obama. Personaly, I think Warren Buffet would be a good choice. He's not a Washington insider and he knows a thing or two about how to run a successful business. Isn't that basically what the govt needs? Someone to start looking at the fed budget from a business perspective and not just a free for all give away institution.

To those who are bitter over Obama's win – get over it.
If you truly object then get out there and say something. Don't come onto CNN and leave unintelligent comments on articles. Wackjobs...

What's wrong of recruiting Clinton's people?

Change means policy change. Keeping experience people is a wise decision. Moreover, those are Democrats people (same party). Remember, Obama is also Dems and he would take in more Dems in his cabinets who may include Clinton's former staff.

I have never been so proud to b an American obama rocks

The $700B bailout is a scam! It would have been alot cheaper to bailout the taxpayers! $1mil. each (300M total funds) Do you not think that people would PAY OFF their mortgages/ car payments/ student loans with that money! Then there wouldnt be any need to bailout big banks and mortgage lenders or wall street (Paulson's former cohorts)!! Even if people spent the money foolishly it would still keep our economy strong because they would be SPENDING MONEY and/or INVESTING MONEY!!! Am i wrong?

A healthy mixture of those who were in a Presidential administration that was successful....hmmm I don't see the issue there. For all you whinner out there, the change will come in the form of a reversal of the failed Bush policies.

The Dems were in charge since 2006, and you really think it only took 3 year for the economy to go south...come on let's be realistic here the economy started tanking long before the Dems took over. We did not loose over 5 millon jobs in 3 years, that started long before 2006...trust me! You nonbeliever are doing all that talking and the man has not even taken the oath office yet, check with us after the first term and see where we are unitl then shut your trape!!1

Why does he need to appoint anyone? Can't he do it? After all he and his supporters believe that he is the Messiah! Why would the Messiah need help?

therealist November 17th, 2008 9:23 am ET

3/4 of Obama choices are ex-Clintons. Wheres the freakin change!!??
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The change is that he doesn't hire yes-men, like Bush did. He hires people with enough experience and enough guts to challenge him. That keeps him on his toes.

It's also a good reason why he should have Hillary (and maybe even Bill) in his cabinet.

Hopefully, Obama will make use of some of Bill Clinton's old Treasury folks.... the one's who turned Ronald Reagan's $300 billion Deficit into a $200 Billion Surplus. But they're going to have their work cut out for them, after the disaster of the Bush administration, which has left us a $10 Trillion Debt. Good riddance to the Republican crooks. They always leave America in the hole.

Cabinet members have been fired before. If someone gets it wrong, they can be replaced easy enough.

Get all the Bush people out there day 1

To ALL of you who are complaining and whining about "that's not change!!....." Are all of you for real?! Do you honestly think that President- elect Obama would appoint rookies to help put this country back on track?!?! Give it a rest already! Come Jan. 20th, when Barack Obama takes office... when the old administration is out, and the new is in.... and the Failed Bush policies begin to dissapear, begin to be reversed... in other words CHANGE!!! . . . . . What will you complain about then? Ofcourse there will be those of you who will cry "where's my tax cut?!!......." while filing your 2008 tax returns...... those who do, don't deserve an explanation. The sad part is .... there WILL be those people! The same one's complaining about "where's the change?!" now.

It's amusing, as well as frightening.... to see the ignorance that is crawling all over these negative posts! I hope you like the taste of foot........ starting Jan 20th 2009, you'll be eating a steady diet of it.

Obama/Biden '08-16

Come on Jan. 20th!!!!!

If Obama names Austen Goolsbee to any kind of senior post regarding the Treasury Dept, the market will tank BIGTIME!! It will make any previous losses pale in comparison.

Hum who would want the job after Bush and buddies mess every thing up? I am sure Obama will make the right cohoice though.

I'm sure Obama will come up with a very rational and superbly qualified choice. We have had ENOUGH of these conservative, supply-side, free trade types. Their brand of corporate welfare for big business and the wealthy while letting everybody else wither on the vine has done NOTHING to better our lives or make the country as a whole more prosperous. In this area, as in all others, it is high time for a BIG CHANGE!

The naysayers on here all have such superiority complexes. Calling the majority of the nation a bunch of "uninformed voters" and acting like the people that voted Dem are under-educted. Personally, I was a VERY informed voter in this past election and I know many others that informed themselves equally and cast their vote for Obama. I live in an afflluent suburb outside a large city and if you drove through my neighborhood, you would never see a McCain sign on anyone's front lawn.

I'm sure all those people that have done so well for themselves are the epitome of uneducated and uninformed. [/sarcasm]

reduce mortgage apr to 4%, and

reduce mortgage down to the realistic value!

create fair-paying real jobs,

provide universal public health care!

people will be able to stay in their house,

and pay their mortgage.

WHO NEEDS WALL STREET THIEVES AND LOAN SHARKS?

WHO NEEDS WAR-MONGERING WAR-PROFITEERING NEO-CONS?

Obama is not filling his cabinet with only his friends like Bush did.
He is picking people qualified for the job.
To pick someone as a favor to them would do a disservice to our country.
I believe Obama will pick the right people, because he really cares about this country.
He will not always be popular with everyone for his decisions, but this country has hope of a turn around under Obama.

the world is falling apart, we have to start somewhere, maybe the new leaders will be able to get things back on track.

President-elect Obama seems to have a handle on picking his cabinet. And if having Hilary as SOS, is his choice, wonderful she is very,very intelligent and I believe that is a good fit. So I'm sure his other choices will be good as well. You rock President Obama. We are praying for you daily.

Please do not choose another CEO or big business executive to run the Treasury. The Treasury is NOT A BUSINESS. Corporations have influenced and bankrupted the Treasury for years now. RON PAUL for Secretary of Treasury. The man has been predicting and warning against the economic meltdown we are now in for years. He is definately not bought and paid for by big business and thoroughly understands economics and the dire situation we are in.

I agree with Independent One, Spokane and Ft. Meyers.

I say find someone temporary and then when Michael Bloomberg loses his bid for a third term tap him for Treasury. Buffett is excellent but I don't think he's really interested in a government post.

i think the auto ind.and the union should try and fix this.before running to the gov. for a bailout.they new way back this was going to happen,go back to the 80's when a autimoble cost 4 to 10 thousand dollar and now they are 20 to 40 thousand, companies making big profits and unions striking for more money and benefits something had to give,so let them come up with a plan to re-tool.

Citigroup to cut more than 50,000 jobs

50,000 X 3000 = 150 million tax break. Is Citigroup looking for a bigger tax break nex year???

Only a moron would promise a business a tax cut to hire people next year without thinking about the layoffs it would cause this year...

Warren Buffett for secretary of the treasury. He knows how to handle monely without wasting it, how to make people accountable, and how to not throw good money away to bad corporations and banks.

Irma-

You are criticizing republicans for rooting against Obama. I myself think that is wrong, but don't think dems are above it.

Your fearless Dem leaders were hoping both behind the scenes and OPENLY in public for the USA to lose the war in Iraq to further their political aspirations.

So, there are no innocents here. Let's just move forward.

Only 43% of Americans are very confident that Obama will pick the right team!? Boy! Talk about dumbing down the expectations...

Barak Obama has already surrounded himself with some of the best thinking minds in the country and I have all the confidence in the world that he will pick the right people for his key positions.
We all need to take a deep breathe, sit back and give him a chance.
He is not even our President yet.
We should be focussing on Bush to make sure he doesn't do anything else that will take years to fix.

A partial admission from CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. Of course Obama has the sweetest deal in history, CNN and ACORN propped him up and into the white house.

The only CHANGE we will see is more bailouts.

Where is Colin Powell in this process? One of the most intelligent well respected leaders in the world. He should be a part of this administration to repair the unbelievable amount of damage the bush administration has wrought.

Paulson is handing out money as he sees fit with no oversight. Can you believe it? The Oversight Board has not been appointed yet. This is so ridiculous. Banks receiving rescue benefits are not loaning the money, but buying other banks. Taxpayers are ripped again.

I look at a Obama/Clinton administration as change and experience. The new schoolers always can get advice and wisdom from the old schoolers. Just like the old schoolers can learn something from the new schoolers. It will take a diverse cabinet and expertise to handle this jacked up economy and energy crisis!! We need a bi-partisan agenda just like Obama is forming!! People can criticize all they want but Obama is being very smart and wise with working with rivals and opponents to get the job done!!

"Give Obama a chance!... divided we fall...."

Yet where was that unification back in 2000. The hypocrisy of all this is astounding.

I agree give Obama a chance. I hope he is successful. But people need to realize that Dems have controlled Congress since 2006. Right around when the economy started to tank. People forget the 6 yrs b/4 that when things were great!

I guess if the media tells u things are bad.. . Most of you are probably too stupid to figure it out!!

A lot of Americans think that Obama puts country first rather than party first in making key decisions that will ultimately effect the country and its well being. I hope he remains above politics in making his appointments. Contrary to what many think that his Change slogan should not bring back some old hands into his new administration I think it is wise to do so if it brings a real change in the situation we are in now. I only hope he does the right things in his choices.

Trust obama , he can deliver it all ...

All of you people hoping and wishing that Obama fails do know that we will all fail if this country is not turned around? Give him a chance. He is the president-elect of the United States. That means he will be your president too. I suspect that most of you are upset because you voted for Bush twice and then for some reason voted for McCain/Palin. That would make me a little sour too, also, there.

I can't believe people are still going on about Wright, Ayers and citizenship! Who could have been so ignorant as to believe those silly e-mail rumors to begin with? It appears obvious Obama isn't going to surround himself with yes-men like Cheney, I mean Bush, did. On citizenship, heck, he was born in the USA to an American citizen. Either category satisfies the requirement, while McCain only met the second (which is plenty good enough).

It is very important to get the right person as TS, and I believe Pres-Elect will chose the right person. He/She may not be our choice, but he/she will be right for the country! Have faith in your president, and give him some time. Rome (8 years of devastation) was not built in a day! The rise of our economy will take time, be patient!

So, 57% of those polled are either on the fence, or not confident that Obama will choose properly... and this is being sold as good news...how/why?

Obama needs to take some time off and eat something.

1/20/13 - No role! ...you can have them to keep Palin safe from Putin's plane in Alaska.

Gotta watch the skies man....

What now, he won't be able to vote present anymore. Hang on folks we making a hard turn to the left. Hope thats what you wanted, here it comes. God Bless America, were going to need it.
PS. And for all of you saying, lets give him a chance, you mean like you gave Bush a chance. You libs crack me up.

Although this has nothing to do with the treasury appointment, Obama needs to use his influence to get Barney Frank removed form any committee of authority. The guy is a loser.

I think this is funny. Anybody under an Obama admin will be great. He vets them and then chooses the best person possible.

Get over it, your guy lost. Deal with it.

I cannot even fathom the responsibility of making these choices. I am encouraged that Obama is looking at all qualified people regardless of political party, gender, race, etc etc. Bush did a great thing by electing the first Latino AG – even though he was bad at his job. Rice has been extremely effective as Sec of State. However, I believe that Bush's appointments were politically motivated. I feel strongly that Obama's appointments will be more practical yet still reflect the diversity that US has to offer but has been misrepresented for so long.

I concur with the sentiment of the nation. I feel optimistic.

Obama has surrounded himself with Clinton's people-clearly, no change. Hillary Clinton was clearly the best choice to lead us out of this mess.

Debbie –we have had 7 years of the MOST experienced...Look where we are at now!

New blood is what we were promised...I am an Obama supporter but this gives me pause!!!
Clinton is a mistake of the highest magnitude...Hopefully Bill's nefafarious business dealings and thier undiclosed contributions to the Foundation and Library will prevent her appointment.

I think we need honesty and I think we will get that with President elect Obama....he has proven himself so far to be a very smart man and I do trust him to run this country very well.
People are already making comments about how nothing has changed....come on now, he is not in office yet so please hold your horses and give him a chance!!!
Whatever appointments he makes in the coming days, I'm sure he has had the best advice and as a smart man himself will make the final decision and the correct one for the country.

Ed Stack: If you are concerned over Obama's lack of economic policy experience, then you must not have seen the Obama commercial just prior to the election, with a video of McCain acknowledging that he would need a strong economic background in his veep, followed by Sarah winking into the camera.

Which is more scary, a man surrounding himself with qualified experts (as even acknowledged by leading republicans), or a woman who equates foreign policy experience with seeing Russia through binoculars?

Nate November 17th, 2008 9:12 am ET

Even though I voted for another guy, I tend to approve of most of what he does right now.

Until he votes yes on a automotive bailout.
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I don't know if I agree or disagree about bailing out the auto makers, but given that Barack Obama is a pragmatist, and not an ideolog, he most likely will push for the bailout.

After all, let's be real about this. If even one of the US automakers goes under, that's a million jobs down the toilet. I seriously doubt he's going to let that happen.

Besides: His presidential ride is a Cadillac DTS. Do you actually think he's going to switch to a Toyota??

I am confident Obama will pick the right people because we are all in this together and I am confident in myself.

I have the upmost and complete confidence in our President-Elect Barack Obama. He went into this administration with his eyes and ears open to make a difference. I trust his judgement and the men and women he has chosen and about to choose as his TEAM members. I know that he will pick the BEST of the BEST to do what is urgently needed to make CHANGE in Washington and turn this administration around the next 4-8 years. We are all waiting to see a DENT made in the economy and the world. I believe that with the hands of GOD any and everything is possible. Barack Obama is not trying to be like Bill Clinton or no other president, he has proven that time after time. He is making and setting his own LEGACY and that is why I voted for him. LET'S BE PATIENCE!

All the repbulicans are so bitter they lost the election, they will do everything in their power to work against them. They cannot see that Sarah lost them the election. So run her again 2012 and Obama dont even have to campaign. She will go right on having her hate rallys, she will never change.

Some loon calling himself "Patriot" states here President-elect Obama still has to "prove citizenship?" (posting in all capital letters, like a technology-challenged, hunt-and-peck Luddite). I wonder how Patriot's tinfoil hat fits these days.

To those who have already labeled Obama as a failure before he has even been sworn in: You probably made your vote selection in just as hastily a manner. Stop rushing to judgement, and save your hate-filled diatribe until the man actually fails.

For a man who is not yet in office he has already demonstrated a refreshing approach to staffing and problem solving. I, for one, am looking forward to the next EIGHT years.

3/4 of Obama choices are ex-Clintons. Wheres the freakin change!!??

Evidently more important than Obama since all that wonderful inspiration now seems to be gone..

Just no clinton as SoS...Or Summers for Treasury...The 'change' admin is beginning to look like a reunion of clintonites!

Treasury is seen as most important. Yet, how many people have taken time to familiarize themselves with the candidates? Not many, I would guess. Of course, the public does not get to vote, so I suppose that really doesn't matter.

Hmmmm, if all you who are opposing Obama in his selections, think he is so wrong and cant do the job, well, there ARE applications open, why dont you who dissagree fill out an application if you thinlk YOU have better answers ????? Change comes through policy changes , not just by one person either, so what if Obama is bringing in many very qualified people from previous years that are already tested and proven, instead of new people who havent even proven their worth yet ? I full well trust Obama WILL bring in the most knowledgible heads he can, no matter what party they are from...
white independent for Obama

1/20/13- Your brain fixers

I'm sure Obama will make a great choice for Treasury

Even though I voted for another guy, I tend to approve of most of what he does right now.

Until he votes yes on a automotive bailout.

Then I will really not like him. Allowing those companies to fail is the only way to clean up the defunct company structure and break up the uncompromising and uncompetitive labor unions. Its sad that our unions have essentially destoyed the companies their members work for.

But obama is going to push for bailouts, and his honeymoon will end in my eyes.

President-elect Obama has his work cut out for him. It is evident that practically every federal agency is being run by Bush appointees whose purpose was to prevent the agencies from enforcing any regulations. Appointments were made on the basis of Party loyalty and contributions, not competence. Attorney General Gonzolas, FEMA – Michael Brown, Labor Dept solicitor general – Eugene Scalia

Just a few of the political appointments that have been disastrous and counterproductive.

Finding the best person for each position means he/she may likely have worked in a previous administration – period!:) The most qualified people will bring about the greatest change, regardless of where they've come from. Many of the posters here need to step back and think – for just a minute;) And to those of you in Tennessee – thank goodness you're a minority!

I really do not understand those of you here who say that obama is a failure already..he is not even in office, will not be until the the midddle to end of Jan.
So what is still going on is the current administrations issues, and somebody needs to keep on eye ont hat because this administration will sell us down the river.

23% are the ones who approves Bush's performance.

I love the way that guy says Obama is getting a honeymoon. I don't think so. He's already on the job. You guys let Bush have a honeymoon for years and never held him accountable for anything. Nobody wants to do any research, they just want to cover easy entertainment stories having to do with Palin. You media reporters had it easy for years with Clinton and he still ran this country. Bush lied many times and for that we lost 5,000 precious lives and not to mention 100s of thousands innocent people in Iraq. No one did any reporting. Obama will be on the job every day and I have great confidence that he will select a great cabinet. You guys reported really well on the way Bush chopped wood. Easy stuff.

Hey, "1/20/13", get over it. Your candidate lost. Looks like Palin has some 'splainin' to do back in Uhlaaskaa. You betcha!

This guy can't do wrong right now. If he choose the Hamburglar as the Sec of State, people would applaud his commitment to pop culture.

It won't last, but, I still have my fingers crossed.

By the way, he sounded great lastnight on 60 min.

HEY ALL YOU LEFT-WINGED LIBERAL MARXIST OUT THERE ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY. OH, BY THE WAY, ONLY 14 MORE DAYS UNTIL OBAMA HAS TO PROVE CITIZENSHIP TO THE COURT. HERES TO HOPING HE CANT!

hmmmm....I think he owes Warren Buffet and George Soros a favor.....that means they are "qualified"

I am not a big Obama fan, but we gave Bush 8years lets at least let Obama take the oath of office before people start calling him a failure. I hope Hillary takes the job and that Obama actually offered it to her. He needs to do something about the economy.

I think anyone with an open mind would be appreciated at present after the past 8 years. I don't think Hillary has any diplomatic experience except with alienating people, Richardson is a better choice. Gates should be dismissed from defense and replaced with possibly Wesley Clark. For treasury, I would again ask Robert Rubin to serve to balance our finances as he did during the Clinton years. President Obama has an all-star line-up available to him and should use them as necessary replacing or substituting as needed. With our current chaos, there is no shame in being switched in the line-up!!!

Yet they failed to mention his first nomination as president elect was to appoint chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. Whos father was part of the Irgun terrorist group in the middle east. Im all about giving obama a fair chance but as his first act appoint a son of a terrorist? And heaven forbid if bush did that he would be politcally slayed on corporate news.

Obama has no financial nor economic background........all of his success comes from contacts......lets hope he has the right economic advisers because he is not equipped to lead this country economically.......much less administratively.......he is not a leader for any country..........unfortunately he has been selected by uninformed voters to lead this country............

The Treasury Secretary Job has morphed into something the founders of this country would be terribly scared of I am afraid. Listen to what has been said by the pundits, "Obama's choice of Sec of Treasury will have dramatic consequences on the US economy." No one person should have that much power over the US or world financial system. I am an Obama supporter, but once this crisis is over, we need to ensure that the Treasury Secretary or any other one group does not have this power ever again.

Are the 23% not confident because with Obama there is a real vetting process instead of using the republcan pot luck method?

What will Rev Wright or William Ayers be appointed to????

When I hear some bloggers saying it's not change when you employing people with experience from previous administration it make me laugh.
So they want OBAMA to choose some rookies to solve this huge financial crisis and come back to blame him when things don't get done? OBAMA is not like McCain gambling with a nation choosing as running mate unqualified woman.
For all those right wing nuts, if you have a huge plombing problem at your house, you don't call rookies like Joe the plumber to fix it, you search for people who's been in the business for years and are expert at doing it.
You better go advise your leaders to fix the GOP party instead of throwing some nonsense on this blog.

It appears that Gaylon Barrow and Bob are in the 23%. Talk about two of the world's biggest hypocrits. You two should take up knitting so you can relax.

I have all the confidence in the world that Obama will do a
great job at appointing the right people for his administration.
Everyone that has negative thoughts about him or just plain wants
him to fail, you need to think twice cause if he fails we all fail, so stop
the bashing and give him a chance. He has alot to fix for the last
failed eight years.
Devided we fail remember that.

Let the man do his job. He's been elected for 2 weeks and already he's a failure to many. I find it ironic that some have great criticism but are NOT the president elect. I suppose those could do a much better job than Obama except their schedules are busy right now.

The other elected Presidents had a chance to board the Train while it was idling at the station. Obama got to run along side it, while the train is in full speed to get aboard. And some bystander is yelling, "He's not running fast enough".

'Change' was never going to happen if you thought Obama was only going to bring in newbies. That wouldn't be smart anyway. He is bringing in very successful people from the last very successful Democratic administration.

Republicans are for Hillary being Secretary of State .. duh ... they want her out of the Senate.

all these polls are a joke, just like the rest of washington dc

The 23% "not confident" surprises me, because here in Tennessee most of the people still wouldn't approve of him if he was able to appoint the lord himself!

Secretary of Energy: Al Gore. Enough said.
Secretary of Treasury: Mayor Michael Bloomberg- Billionaire, changed mayor office to resemble stock market bull pen, he knows money. Get the Goldlman Sachs guy out and let Michael Bloomberg appoint people who know what they are doing.

Obama's pick for Treasury needs to send a positive message to America and restore some confidence. Someone who seems competent, honest, and in charge. Not like this bunch of boot-licking scooter-pardoners we have now.

obama, like mccain, is nothing but a hack. he would have said anything to get elected, and did. he's the worlds' biggest hypocrite, and has a 60+ question employment questionaire with questions that he refused to answer during the campaign. the country stands divided, and obama/bush/mccain are to blame!

There are millions of people either victims of this crisis or on the verge of being victims of this recession. The day is long gone where people can regard those without jobs bums. Too many citizens are going to need help as they have suffered by loss of jobs or catastrophic illness and won't be employable either because of age or medical problems.

The government is going to have to help these people for a long stretch of time.

The treasury secretary may be an important position but I think each department head will have a difficult role in this administration.

Obama's judgment has proved to be brilliant so far and I fully trust him on this.

They're actually all important. This one is highlighted only because of the current economic problems. Was Bush's treasury pick highlighted as much? Does that mean it's any less important.

Neocon repugliCONS and blue-dog democRATS to Wall Street:
Is $700 Billion enough?

Neocon repugliCONS and blue-dog democRATS to the Auto Industry:
You want $25 Billion? DROP DEAD!

I'm sure he'll make the right choices because he has what's called a "vetting process". Anyone who doesn't know what that is probably voted for McCain.

Well did Hillary take the Job?Any appointment for this man is going to be important. He is a failure already. And if he expects surrounding himself with old Clinton staff people he is going to have to remember he is not Bill Clinton therefore he will not obtain the same results of a successful economy such as Bill who balanced the cononomy and left three trillion dollars in excess when he left office. Which I might remind people DUYA immediately gave away then started a war with iIraq. Real smart people our politicians, right?

I have complete confidence in President Obama.
I wish the naysayers would pipe down and stop with all the negatives and give him a chance. He isn't president yet, so give him a chance.

The Clinton's administration have returned to the White House,big change.