CNN

I guess he should bring Mrs. incompetent Caribou Barbie" laughable self-promoting train-wreck SP in the WH. Give me a break... We need competent people in the WH and I Applaud the team he is building at this point. We DO NOT NEED PEOPLE LIKE SP IN THE WH! Period.... President Elect keep doing what you are doing building a strong and competent team.

Yep, we got change same old capital politics with a new band leader. It will be interesting to see how he reacts when Hill and Bill act like they are running the White House again. I guess it will be buyers remorse.

It will be too sad if all that is out there to serve are clintonistas. New blood is needed now and I hope Obama finds them and get them to work with him. I still think Richardson would be a better SOS and HC would be better served if she stayed in the Senate.

CNN,
Nobody cares about what Rush Limbo and Sean Hannity say. CNN should stop legitimizing these two nuts!!

That's a change right? Replacing x with y is a change–may be bad, may be good.

What is the problem with Pres Elect Obama calling people that have proven that they know how to get things done. Most employers are looking to staff their offices with people that have experience. If these people just happen to have worked for the most successful presidency in modern history, then so be it.

It is brilliant of the new president to surround himself with talented people, especially in this Bush economy, Bush wars, and Bush's ineptitude at leadship that has brought about deep recession and joblessness.

Only 62 more days until Inauguration Day!

What you guys need to worry about or juge is the result of the Obama's Administration;Stop your quick speculation about who he is picking. If the policy is applied and the result is good for the country,we all will be happy.
Seriously, where do you want Obama to pick the Democrats ? In China? Russia???
Clinton is the last Democratic President, the one before him was Carter (his folks are too old). So objectively, his pick among the democrats with experience are Clinton's ex-Administration guys. I really don't follow your logic of critics. THE CHANGE, is about the way politic is conducted in Washington.. Let's wait and see it these folks are changing their old ways , to follow what Obama said .
We have enough time to juge them.

I hate this criticism

Almost EVERY major democrat with enough experience to be worthy of a major (or even minor) cabinet position has ties in one way or another to the Clintons... Prior to Clinton there hadn't been a democrat in charge in over a decade.

Change will come via his policies.

Yeah, apparently Change means bringing in all the Clinton cronies back in. Hillary shouldn't be too upset, with all the people Barry's bringing in, it'll be like she and Bill never left in 2001.

Does this mean we can soon see more cases of lawyer logs disappearing and misteriously re-appearing, or lawyer friends suddenly committing 'suicide'?

On a positive note, economy wise, the sales of blue dresses should start picking up.

If I wanted Clinton Part 2, I would have voted for Hillary. Where's the change I can believe in?

President Elect Barack Obama's "change" is tied to the change of policy in washington not people. A U.S. President is only as good as the people they surround themselves with, with that being said under no circumstances should he consider selecting hillary clinton to his cabinet this would be tatamount to a fox living in the hen house and you certainly do not hire someone you can't fire. So far his selections are sound, he should select Colin Powell to head up the military and he should select New Mexico governor Bill Richardson to secretary of state.

What you guys need to worry about or juge is the result of the Obama's Administration;Stop your quick speculation about who he is picking. If the policy is applied and the result is good for the country,we all will be happy.
Seriously, where do you want Obama to pick the Democrats ? In China? Russia???
Clinton is the last Democratic President, the one before him was Carter (his folks are too old). So objectively, his pick among the democrats with experience are Clinton's ex-Administration guys. I really don't follow your logic of critics. THE CHANGE, is about the way politic is conducted in Washington.. Let's wait and see it these folks are changing their old ways , to follow what Obama said .
We have enough time to juge them.

I have to say I’m a big supporter of Obama but, I too am a little tired of seeing all the people from the Clinton era. Mind you I do understand Obama will need a team in place that is experience in the affairs of the White House Administration. However, I'm sure a number of his supporters are ready for some new people, and although Lanny said change is about policy and not people, it is the people that will be offering the advice to Obama, and if that advice is coming from the old guard, then what change will we get?

Wah wah wah from the critics of Obama's choice for his cabinet. Obama is being smart in his choices and so what if some of them are from the Clinton Administration. This move shows intelligence. I am sure Obama will cross the aisle. We need change in Washington so badly. Our current president left even a BIGGER mess than when Bill Clinton took office. What a disgrace they are. Just let President-Elect Obama do his job and stop the whining already. I am confident that he will do great things for our country and get it back on track with his choices for his Administration. It will be REAL hard work and will take some time. It will probably take at least one term to fix it; I have no problem if it ends up being two terms. This 58 year old white Hillary Clinton supporter has faith he will do what is right. GO OBAMA/BIDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No kidding! How can one affect change when all of the "good ol' boys" from the Clinton administration are being put into place? And where are the women, besides Hillary, who can serve in high ranking Cabinet posts? I seem to recall 8 years ago people complained about Bush doing this very SAME thing. Where are those people now......knocking on Obama's door begging for a place next to the "Great One"!

Obama is smart enough to put people on his staff that has experience. I am sure that they will carry out his agenda of change. He is certainly putting country first and I can see that he means to do a darn good job. I wish USA the best!

It is too easy to sit back and criticize. By the time it all works out, the critics won't stand up and say, "I was wrong", they will squawk about something else until they get one thing right and then stand up and beat their chest. With at 50% percent chance or being right or wrong it's not too hard to figure that one out. Shut up and color!

Smart move to pick proven people who have served and delivered a budget surplus during their time. Would you pick the ones that got us into this mess. No! Unless you want business as usual. I'm sure there will be others placed in positions to make a difference that will draw bi-partisan support and still be criticized. It's how they (critics) keep their jobs.

Why are any of you surprised by this? Obama's just more of the same Washington politics...can't believe you fell for the doublespeak. He's no different than the ones before him and the ones that will follow him.

Some fundamental change...NOT!

Obama said he will change how Washington works. He didn't say he would change all the people in Washington. Sheesh, give him a break already. He has to have experienced people who know what they are doing if he plans on getting our country back on track.

Seems like he wants everyone who was on the clinton except if your last name is clinton.

You want the best and the brightest, regardless who they have worked for. We all saw what happened when W used the "buddy system". Find the person who is best qualified for the job,and give it to them. Face it, Bill did not suffer fools gladly. The president -elect is a sharply intelligent man, who wants to surround himself with like minded individuals. The ship is sinking, now is not the time to fight over who is going to hold the buckets.

Obama is picking all these Clinton people, why didn't the superdelegates simply choose Hillary Clinton instead of Obama? Obama got a piggy-back ride from Clinton during the primaries and he seems to be doing the same now with his administration. He can't think for himself.

He has to have people who know what they are doing and how things in Washington work. To know how it works now gives them a leg up on what needs to be changed because they don't have to learn it. The former Clinton admins are also in the pool of best candidates.

You can't bring in a complete crew of Washington neophytes, ask Jimmy Carter how well that worked out.

Can we at least let him finish his choices before we are all over him?
You hear the three big mouth know it alls on FAUX ready to pounce on everything Obama does.
Limbaugh, O'Riley and Hannity are pretty disgusting to listen to now. Especially O'Riley. He claims to be fair and he has moved so far to the right with his huge ego that I can't stand to listen to him any more. At least with Rush and Sean you know you are getting right wing wackos. They do not claim to be balanced.
He won't even be in office for 2 more months so let's not get our knickers in a twist yet.
I want Obama to have a fair chance so lay off, wait on your judgment and listen before ripping him apart.

Well, I just makes sense to surround yourself with those people who served in an economically successful administration. And we didn`t have this HORRIFIC national debt during the Clinton Adm.----After all, " It`s the ECONOMY, STUPID" !!!!!!

please post.
I understand where this article is coming from but this is a rather ignorant argument. Roland Martin, last night on No Bull, made the best point. Just because these people served in previous administrations, how exactly does that make them disqualified? It's about change in politics, not change in people. To argue that these guys from the Clinton administration are not welcomed to the Obama administration is simply biased and unfair. If I do not perform well working for one company, does that make me disqualified for working at a similar company with different policies that may potentially benefit me? Absolutely not!

Any change is better than going through what Americans have for the last 8 years.

Where did those critics expect him to find his administration .. at college fairs?

Anybody not following the agenda from the past eight years is change.

To pick winners from the Clinton administration is smart. Besides, they will following Obamas agenda, it is his agenda that is different.

Winning team members with a winning agenda, that is change, smart change.

I think you need to back off and let him select his team and then once he does and gets to work then if you don't like what is happening then let it be know.

Personally I think he needs some people on his Team that has experience, specially the Secretary of State, and the Justice Dept.

I read in the Washington Post that he intends to review the Contracted employees of the Government. That is a very good idea because when I worked for the Government there was a lot of Contractors that did nothing but sit around and talk all day long (Most of these Contractors were ex-government workers that either retired and came back or quit the government and then came back). The retired Government workers got their retirement pay and then collected $50 or more dollars per hour to come back and since they knew they wouldn't get into trouble they were the worst offenders. Government needs to be totally reviewed and anyone that sits around and does nothing all day long need to be fired. They need new standards bosses to back up those standards if the employee doesn't do their work.

There are over 5000 jobs that will be replaced. Only top notch democrates came out of the Clinton administration because that is the ONLY democratic pool to get from. If he goes back to Carter's administration–they are just too old. So far a great group is forming around Obama–highly intellegent and change does not mean people, it means attitude and intellegence!! Clinton was one of our most intellegent presidents and Obama is following in his steps–Good Move!!! (PS: And I'm a republican who wants change from the republican party agenda!)

" Despite what critics say, Davis says real change is about policy, not people.".....

Well isn't it the people that make the policy, and if so then it's definitely the people that matter. I don't blame one person for the mess the country is in, I blame all of the blow-hards in Washington that only seem to be in it for themselves...not for the people that elected them.

It's the captain who is given the orders. Not the crew!

These people would complain about the opening of an envelope. If Obama picked people no one in the beltway knew they would complain that these people don't "know Washington" , he picks people who have experience in doing the jobs they are being appointed too and its a big to do. As long as he picks none of the Bush/Cheney flunkies I'm fine with former Clinton staffers as long as they are wiling to do a good job and remember which President they serve.

This only means that Bill Clinton was a great president. Every choice so far is excellent. Anything different from the last eight years is CHANGE. It sound like the critics do not want the country to do well.

Change doesn't necessarily mean new people. It may be new ideas and a new direction. One does need to realize that old timers sometimes know how to get things done - while it takes time for newcomers to learn how to proceed in Washington. Having grown up in DC area with government people in the family, it is understandable that people outside of that environment don't know how government operates. And believe it or not, not all is negative about government operations. Does anyone remember a President-elect getting so many critics expressing their opinions before January 20 every four years?

Is this the change that America was promised? This is nothing more than a third term for Clinton. I thought Obama was tired of the old politics of Washington and wanted to give America a "NEW HOPE" and a "NEW DIRECTION" and "REAL CHANGE". It seems like the most important qualification for a position in Obama's White House is that you just need to have ties to Bill Clinton.

Sorry, but my personal opinion is that the man simply said what he needed to say to get elected and we are seeing Clinton III materialize right before our eyes. Remember that a majority of independent economic advisers have pointed out that the Clinton administrations poor handling of financial institutions and the housing industries lending standards as a major reason that we are facing the economic downturn we see now. Surprise, surprise dems, not everything is Bush's fault (although he is not totally innocent either).

You pick people who are capable not plumbers or forgive me the Palins around the world. This isn't a circus he is building...its something better...get this... a working White House. Change of how things are done, change of ideas, change of leadership, change in partisanship...not simply change of clothes or no-name faces. Not to mention he hasn't even selected his large cabinet positions.

Obama is good talker and full of hot air. He will put in Washington insiders – he was always going to. And by the way, Obama is NO Abrham Lincoln – so stop trying to compare him!! He is no Kennedy, no Lincoln, no nobody. All of you who voted for him are in for a rude awakening folks. Most of you do not know anytthing about the person you voted for other than he is an African American. No racisim there!!

Why would people think that this won't be change because he is selecting former cabinet members of the Clinton Administrition.He's feels these people will help him bring the change the american people needs .Don't underestimate Obama he is smarter than some people are given him credit for just wait and see.As for Lieberman I can understand that Obama needs him in the senate and after the way he treated Obama during the election one would wonder why Obama should trust him well guess what Obama as the old saying goes keep your friends close and your enemy closer.Obama is no dummy and Leiberman will be an advantage to his presidency

On "the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell":

A short history lesson: Bill Clinton tried to fully integrate openly gay people into the military right after his inauguration in 1993. But then-Senator Sam Nunn destroyed the idea, bombed Clinton for it, and created Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Clinton lost all of his mandate overnight at Nunn's hands, and the Republicans took the House and Senate in 1994.

Two pieces of advice for Obama:
(1) Don't pick Nunn for ANYTHING – avoid him like the plague, he's toxic, and very anti-gay.

(2) Follow Truman's lead. Don't eliminate Don't Ask Don't Tell immediately. Wait until the spotlight dims a little, like Truman did when he integrated the services racially.

This is hilarious to me because critics like Leslie Sanchez, who only talk to hear themselves, would have criticized Obama if he had brought in people who were new that no one knew. But what he's doing is bringing in experienced people to help him because he has holes in his experience. If he were to bring in people with limited experience, these critics would be criticizing him on that front. So its a no-win situation. One thing that was said this morning was that the American people don't care that he picked people from Clinton's administration. They care about Barack Obama's policies. CNN, PLEASE STOP GIVING THESE PEOPLE A FORUM TO SPEAK. ALL THEY DO IS COMPLAIN ABOUT EVERYTHING WHEN THEY HAVE NO ANSWERS THEMSELVES.

Ahhh politics you got to love it!!! Do you really believe that the so called change is coming?? Ha! It's nothing but a political ploy just to get your votes. Politicians have been doing this for hundreds of years, promise one thing and after being elected give you a diffrent thing. No exceptions for Barack for he is a politician and he did well to campaign his promise of change and now we get the same. At least we made history of electing the 1st colored president other than that "change" I dont expect anymore.

Stop and think. There hasn't been many democrats around in big positions for the last eight or so years. We don't have prominent fresh democrats. So what does obama have to pick from.

Only from Democrats that have a proven track record. At least Eric Holder isn't an Alberta Gonzales, the crooked, butt kisser who was bush's AG and caused all the trouble with appointed republican imbedded local AG's that turned the country up side down.

As an Obama supporter I am questioning his picks too. He ran such a brilliant campaign with unknown names in the business of politics. Why he thinks he needs all these big names to succeed in governing is beyond me. Experience does not necessarily translate into good judgment otherwise he wouldn't be where he is today. It 's what you do with the little or great knowledge that you acquire that makes one a good or great leader. So for him to go after these big guns is not pleasing to me either.

I'm not sure what people are expecting – political gods who spring fully grown from the head of some "outsider" to run the government?

I expect change from Obama.

Most importantly, from the disasterous 8 years of the Bush administration.

I expect his administration to raise the level of civility in Washington, to be open to all ideas – not just "new" ideas. Listen, analyze, decide.

I do not expect them to re-invent the wheel where is come to governance. Nor do I expect them to reinvent the constitution.

We have a government which has served us well for 200+ years. We have evolved and changed, but we do not need to throw out the good of the past just to show that we have "change".

Unfortunately, the knives are already out, ready to disect and criticize every decision made.

I am not looking for a revolution. If Obama looks around and sees the necessary qualifications to implement his policies in a person who has worked in Washington before, I have no problem with this.

Say what you want, but at least Bill Clinton (not my favorite person in thw world) and his staff gave this country a budget surplus.

So anything different than the Republicans who have been running things since 2001 would be a change in the right direction.

Down with the spend, spend, spend Republicans.

I think his change in Washington message is misunderstood. What he meant by change is not just recruiting persons new Washington politics but, I think, even old hands with now policy approaches. After all he is the change person and he directs how the old hands of Washington run his show. Critics should lay off from criticizing his every move.

President Obama is making wise and prudent decisions regarding his cabinet choices. While he may be staffing from the Clinton Era, he requires the experience they possess to tackle the many challenges confronting his administration. The current economic, war and energy challenges do not lend themselves to any learning curve thus our new President must have proven performers on day one. No doubt, the media and the people will grant no slack for mistakes or misjudgements. I think is is performing very well thus far and wish him the very best of everything during his endeavors.

Leslie Sanchez would look for something to criticize no matter what Obama does! I have never seen her look for the positive in anyone unless they are Republican.

If you are looking for experienced people to help you in transition, you sure wouldnt use gwb's folks- Clinton is the only choice unless you go back to Jimmy Carter.
'Let Obama pick his cabinet and then groan. (If you must)
'We will see REAL CHANGE in the next Administration- Rather than rant and rave like republicans, give him a chance!

Change? What Change? Just an a word to win the election. Go get em Dems!

i don't understand why some people keep criticizing the elected president. he is the president, he chooses people with experience that can heal the country. he cannot choose rookies to the white house. we need a smart government not a dumb government.

Obama needs to hit the ground running and it would help him tremendously in doing that if he had an experienced staff behind him. Clinton was in power for 8 years and most of the truly experienced people in Washington that were Democrats were part of his administration at some point or another. Besides the type of "change" Obama was talking about had more to do with policy than with people.

Remember who is making the decisions. That is where the change will come from his staff are hired to carry out his withies. There is an urgent need for a government with experienced professionals. Considering that the Clinton administration was the last democratic administration in office that still has fairly young staffers and that the republican party really can't be trusted with many of the sensitive positions it is not only logical and reasonable but also imperative that President Elect Obama utilizes ex Clinton staffers. Come on people we're running a business here not a game show.

The country is in a very precarious situation, one has to understand the sense of urgency and the absolute necessity to get everything right the first time and negate any possibility for errors.

In view of the financial crisis and the wars among other pressing needs, I believe it is necessary to be entrenched in selecting the team to will have to fix Washington and repair the image of America in the rest of the world.

Why not use Clinton's people? After all, the eight years of Clinton were some of the best years our country has ever seen. I think the complainers are just jealous. Obama is a smart man and he can pick the cream of the crop. If this means people from Clinton's bunch, then so be it. I wish him much success.

Look...I am sure Obama is a fine man and I wish him all the success in the world....But

Please stop comparing this man to President Lincoln....that is insulting both to my intelligence and President Lincoln's legacy.

And if McCain had won they wouldn't be questioning his administration full of neo cons and extreme conservatives. Please. He's hiring the most qualified people in this country. I don't want my local Bank of America bank manager managing the country's budget, just so one could say that person has no political ties to anyone and is therefore an agent of change. Let the man run his administration. I have full confidence it will turn out to be extraordinary.

I think people are just making a big thing out of nothing. Due to the situation with the economy, he had to make a decision between experience and change. Obama is going to pick the best people for each of the top positions. I think he will show more flexibility in the lower positions that need to be filled.

Change we can believe in!!!

The change Obama means is change from the Bush/Cheney/Rove downhill spiral. Clinton had great people in his administration. The country was alot better off when Clinton was president. He hasn't picked all Clinton people but Obama is smart, he will affect change.

Retreads are not getting me too excited about "Change". The catch-22 is that with current economic conditions, we as a nation can not afford for these appointees to learn by making mistakes. Therefore, someone with experience is needed, and since no one in there the past 8 years is acceptable, we look at the Clinton establishment. Hopefully, we will start to see some Washington outsiders come into the fold. I have supreme confidence that Barack is the captain of the ship, who will not stand for mutiny or insubordination. Time will tell.

Please. This whole fuss is all quite silly, really. Obama's entire staff's not going to be composed of old Clinton hands, but it IS inevitable that there will be quite a handful of those people in the mix; those are the top democratic movers and shakers of recent time, and you don't overlook them and go all out for the untested simply to make a point, that's ridiculous. Change is still going to happen, and the experienced are usually well placed to make it so alongside the newbies. Please Obama's thus far proven that he's not a foolish man; give him some breathing room and let him actually make mis-steps (and he will – he is ONLY a man, y'all) before you dig your ever-sharpened talons into him. In the mean time, shut it up and get back to work!

Hmmm, let's add up the non-Republicans that Dubya had on his "team"... well, there's... no, or... not her either... hmmm, almost all neocons, huh? This whole bipartisan rant by the GOP makes me laugh... talk about hypocrisy.

I still believe in the kind of change we need to hope for...

Change is the man and the policy set at the top. The players will always remain the same. Its the game that will change. Besides that is why they are called critics they have to have something to talk about.

People are going to whine no matter whom Obama picks for positions. The Republicans especially after their DISMAL showing in the election. Maybe Obama could/should appoint McCain as Chief of Staff since he did such an outstanding job running his campaign and Palin as SOS since she has such extensive foreign policy experience in dealing with Russia:) Give it a rest folks. ANYBODY Obama puts in his Cabinet will be better than the CRIMINALS that have "led" us the past 8 years!

The headline is a ridiculous suggestion. . .without any backup. While Obama's general message was for change, no doubt, the principal change advocated was from the past 8 years. As the article discusses, it would be ludicrous for Obama to avoid highly qualified persons who served in the Clinton administration - simply because they so served. In addition, to the extent that Obama subscribes to the Lincoln theory of selecting persons on the merits of their strength, not on how they may have at any time been aligned against you (real or perceived), seems to make a lot of sense.

I think CNN - who would in my view be hard to replace for our news - should avoid this type of headlining.

Leslie Sanchez and Robert Kuttner are irrelevant! One belongs to a losing party, that makes her a LOSER! The other one is a WINDBAG! His words are blowing in the wind!

LOSER:Stay Lost

WINDBAG: Fly Away into oblivion!

President Obama is the Change that has come to Washington. He is selecting people around him, regardless of whose cabinet they came from, to help him successfully bring about change! Stop hating on the Clintons and get a freakin' life!

I sort of agree with the criticism. Now, I am as strong an Obama supporter as any other, but the main reason I supported Obama was because of his calls for fundamental change. I don't mind a few Clinton Veterans in the White House, but I do think Obama can find qualified people outside of the Clinton Administration to fill these posts. I don't want to see a virtual repeat of the Clinton Administration! I didn't care too much for it just like I don't care too much for the Bush Administration. In order for Obama to set himself apart, he needs to establish is own Administration with unique, never before seen, faces in the White House.

Sure! You know what? They're right! In fact, let's fill all of these high-level positions with people who haven't spent a day in Washington and have had no contact with government whatsoever. That's the smart thing to do. No one will know what the heck is going on but at least Obama's cabinet won't be filled with political insiders...

Give me a break!

Folks I am sorry to take you out of your fairy tale dream about a black Camelot, but there is no change coming to Washington.

It is now forecast by DC insiders that 80% of Obama's administration will be made up of long time DC talking heads and beauracats. Heck, half of his transition team are former Clinton people, and the other half are lobbyists (oops, what is that you say, Obama will not work with lobbyists). Get a grip people. Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely, and Obama is quickly learning the ropes and he will take his marching orders from Pelosi, Reod, Kennedy, Kerry, Dodd, Frank, and the rest of the Democratic Majority. He may sit in the Oval office, but he ain;t running the country.

So what? Bill had no morals, however during this run we had jobs, homes and money in our 401K accounts.

So what?

Like I've said before:
As long as President Elect Obama is choosing qualified people for these positions that can implement the future Obama admin.'s vision of change, I'm happy with his choices.

By change, do people think that he's going to select inexperienced/political virgins to fill these positions? Should Obama have chosen a McDonald's worker, a warehouse worker, or a pyschic? That would be change, but a bad, stupid kind of change.

I'm sure that if he found a Republican, or an Independent, or just someone with no political ties at all, that was more qualified than the people he has selected so far, they would be filling these positions. It's not like having "served under Clinton" on your resume will automatically make you qualified.

And if Obama were to staff his administration without people of experience, critics would cry about that too. Give him a break. He hasn't even been inaugurated yet.

Every pick so far are outstanding individuals with impressive track records. Where else other than the former Clinton administration will Obama find people with similar ideals and relevant experience. High quality, idealistic people gravitate to Obama and Obama has proven to be able to select qualified, intelligent, highly capable people. Obama never ceases to amaze me with his strong leadership abilities.

I really don't understand everyone's problem. He said he'd fundamentally change the way Washington worked. But, in order to do that, doesn't he still need people who know how Washington works already, so they are knowedeable enough to change it? Changing Washington doesn't mean putting green newbies in who don't have experience! It means hiring people who are experienced in the thing they want changed, and are open-minded enough to do it! Just where would you find these people, except for another adminstration's former supporters! If we don't want Bush's team, you go for people experienced before his administration, which happens to be Clinton's. You go further back, and you get a Bush again! Everyone before that might be too old. I think he is making good choices out of the pool of experienced and open-minded politicians, who are willing to join him in changing Washington for the better! I'm proud of you already, Obama. It must be tough picking a cabinet with a million critical people who have never been in Washington (but think they can do better) critiquing every move you make!

Obama often said that America "needs change." It would appear from Obama's appointments that what Americans are seeing is "cut and paste." Is this really an Obama footprint or is it just a "mirror image" of the past Clinton Administration. Time will tell...and it will determine if Americans got "hoodwinked" by the "hoodwinker."

Idiot critics.

I agree with Lanny Davis. Real change is about policy not who is hired to fill a position.

This is just crazy. Obama is going to originate change not the people he is hiring to work for him. The media is just trying to find some news, this is getting to be insane.

Shut up, CNN.

I'm proud of our new President. He'll end the nightmare.

So America is in the worst financial shape since the Great Depression and the Repug's want Obama to appoint economists from say Kansas and Utah to help dig us out because they are outside the Washington loop and would be new faces?

While I realize Repugs want Obama to fail, it seems that bringing in folks that helped engineer the best financial uptick this country has had in 30 years would be EXACTLY the folks we need now to clean up this mess the Repugs and their stupid shrub have left.

Change can be using the same tools as in the past but in a different manner to achieve either the same or greater success.

Try to understand that dittoheads.

This is ridiculous. Change doesn't mean you pick all new people regardless of their qualifications. Bush did that by picking Brown to head Fema. How did that work out? Change means you get the best people for the job and you lead in a post partisan way. Are any of his appointments unqualified? It would seem that, if they were qualified 16 years ago, they are that much more qualified now. As for post-partisanship, cant we wait to see how he governs before judging?

My God... The man isn't even President yet. Give it a rest.

Change it is!!!! Change from the last 8 years... Obama said change from these last 8 years.......he is making changes and we were doing good when we were under the Clinton years, if that means putting these people back in his administration then so be it, anything that will get this country back on it's feet.......Go Obama.....

By winning the election, change hasn't come. It has to be created. Everyone in Washington is part of it. Getting all his cabinet and appointees from outside DC is not what change is, having the same old people now play with changed rules is what will give this administration success.

Nag... Nag... Nag.. The republicans always find something to nag about. It's a BIG change...a smart change from the Bush Plague!

Just because you-all did not want to pick these people because they are vet-able, doesn't mean that President Obama has to choose who you-all want. He is after all going to be the President of these United States of America and he's picking the people that he feels will have his back. Although I am not truly sure of Hillary the BACK STABBER! Even with her 18 million cracks in the ceiling. they have come to see that voting for a Democrat is the best thing. I also hope that the Democrats in Georgia (all of Georgia) go out and VOTE FOR MARTIN!

Has anyone heard of "intelligent" change – thats what we're talkin' about!

Obama will tweak the system and get better results – I already have a bet with someone who is a big nay-sayer regarding the election of Obama – now Obama has 4 years to get his show on the road and turning things around.....my money is on him and his administration.

we will see.

Business as usual ... Obama lied to us. Change is not coming anytime soon. So what kind of evil deal did he cut with the Clintons?

If those same critics would have spent half the energy criticizing Bush & Cheney for their "crimes" as they have on Pres. Elect Obama before he even has a chance to take office, our Country may not be in the sad shape it is in now. Most of these critics would have jumped up citing he is too inexperienced if he picked people who did not have the type of experience these appointments would take. They certainly didn't cry out too quickly when Bush tried to appoint Harriet Meyers to the Supreme Court. It's sour grapes and most of them work for republican owned media to begin with.

I know you guys need a new story line for ratings since the election is over, but this is ridiculous. Obama was talking about changing the way Washington conducts business; I think he is off to a great start. He is picking bright and well respected people in his cabinet who can reach across party lines and conduct the business that needs to be done.

I wish you guys would have paid this much attention to deatil when Bush was picking his cabinet. Maybe we would not had to deal with the likes of Ashcroft, Meyers, Gonzalez, Rumsfield, Cheney, Whitman, and my favorite, Brownie.

Obama, the unity candidate, the candidate of tolerance, did not come out against Prop 8 and was silent as gays marched last weekend for their rights.

Does he think rights are only for certain minorities like blacks and not others?

Evidently Obama does not see gays as human beings but rather as freaks.

Obama-stop being a woos and walk the talk.

It's time for my fellow Republicans to get a grip! We cannot both criticize the President-Elect for being inexperienced AND attack for for picking experienced advisors!

WE, as Republicans, are better than this! If he picks these advisors and promotes policies that are the same as we saw in the 1990's, then and only then will we have grounds for criticism.

If we expect to recover as a party, we need to realize that the American People are tired of the sniping and present a valid alternative...not attack and divide.

He doesn't know what to do, what do you expect? The change will not be so much who is in what post, but it will be in the conversion of our social and economic system into one of communism.

If I am not mistaken, all these people are CHANGE from the bush error. THAT is what the people wanted. They want SMART people running the country, if these people are some from the last Democrat, so be it!!! I was a Clinton supporter, who like a GOOD REAL Democrat, supported Obama when he beat her. I also support him bringing in some of President Clintons people, they are QUALIFIED! You want him to bring in a bunch of people with no experience, and no idea how to run the country? THATS WHAT BUSH DID! The CHANGE we wanted was SMART PEOPLE IN THE WHITE HOUSE~ We got it, and I say THANK GOD!

You would have to be stupid to believe Obama's picks are "Change".........same "good old boy" network at work in Washington.

Its change and he is picking the cream of the crop. When Clinton was president he was able to get things done with his cabinet. So why take chances. Go with what works. The American people have been jacked around for the last 8 years. So I say good for President-elect Obama. He is a very intelligent man. Come 1/20/2008 he will have his cabinet in place and can start taking care of thing. That is what everyone is excepting so, lets get started. No time to waste. And the people he is selecting will not need on the job training.

staff is not a perfect indicator of agenda. These are experienced employees, any employer is smart to consider them. Obama is showing change by putting brilliant people in positions rather than cronies or idiots. It is change, its a change to competency.

I wonder if the people "opposing" any Clinton picks, are doing so because of Clinton himself ? I see nothing wrong in Obamas picks of people who have once before helped the nation to get out of a mess and balance the budget, its simply Obama vetting people who already KNOW something about HOW to turn the nation around and help Obama to bring about change ! Its the POLICYS etc, in Washington that have to be changed folks, and I am , as an independent, very confident that in this vetting process, a man as intelligent as Obama, WILL pick the right people to help him accomplish that..Give him a chance folks, before you go ranting that Obama isnt making change, wait and SEE..
Texas independent

I think MOST people have the WRONG definition for CHANGE... I NEVER believed it meant OUT with the OLD and IN with the NEW. To me it meant "change the way you do business".

The OLD is "very capable" of making CHANGE if they are told that is ALL they are there for. If they cannot abide by the CHANGE rules – then OUT you go!!! You need "intelligent" people to make CHANGE. YOU cannot come in with an entirely NEW staff and expect CHANGE. THe NEW staff would have NO IDEA what they are CHANGING!!!!

Having an Afircan American for PRESIDENT is the right CHANGE. Now all that is needed are the right people. Barack Obama is a very intelligent man and we should continue to give him credit for that!!!!

Jeez – Barack is the CHANGE we NEED and can BELIEVE in!!!

You democrats should have seen this coming when he picked Joe Biden as VP, an old Washington insider whose been in around since the early 70's.

The only change I see come January is that we will have a black president and a Clinton 3rd term, everything else would be the same politics as usual.

I am so sick of this no-change ridiculousness.

He (Barack Obama) is the change. It maybe the same ship but he is a new captain. He will steer the ship AWAY from the iceberg not into it (ala Bush).

I hate to admit this but I agree, Obama and his choice to keep Lieberman on was totally wrong as far as I'm concerend.....he crossed the line in my book and should have been shown the door.
The possible appointment of SOS to Hillary I think could also be a mistake if they are talking negotiations......what are they negotiating about!!!!!!
Having Bill as part of the package is not a good idea as he has been out there involved with all manner of folks with his private work....although it may be good work, it can't be in conflict with Hillary's job!!!!!!!
If Obama wants change and that's what we want as voters who voted for him...he needs to set a good example and not reward the likes of Lieberman and also choose another SOS without any baggage that could cause conflict of interest.

When he meant "Change" he didn't mean Ron Paul or Ralph Nader.

He meant NO GEORGE BUSH.

Geez.

If he appoints Dick Cheney, then I'd be worried.

I Was Hoping That I Never Had To Hear The Opinion Of Sanchez Ever Again! I Would Rather Have People Cut And Pasted From The Clinton Years Than From The Bush Years!

I don't think that when Obama ran on "Change" he meant bringing in people who had never been to Washington before or who had never served in the government. I think "Change" meant ending the practice of retribution and partisanship. He is bringing in people who are the best for the job. Barack and Hillary fought bitterly during the primaries and he offered her one of the most prestigious jobs in his administration. Joe Lieberman broke party ranks and slammed Obama from the stage with Mccain and Palin. Obama made it known that he didn't want Joe punished or stripped of his chairmanships. McCain flat out lied about Obama and even questioned his patriotism during the campaign. Obama met with him and wants to work with him. Working together IS "Change". Partisanship and gridlock accomplish nothing. After the nearly flawless campaign that Obama ran and watching him beat the political machines of Hillary and the republican party, I think he knows exactly what he is doing.

If fundamental change is measured in terms of individuals that Obama appoints to his administration, then it is poorly conceived. It must be measured in terms of the policies that he presides over. Certainly that makes more sense!

Its CHANGE to me, because it has nothing to do with the Bush administration or the SAME PARTY!!!!

I guess everyone is keeping a good eye on Obama, watching every move he makes! but he we had watched Bush we wouldnt be in the situation we are in right now!!!!

For all we'd like to believe otherwise, the government is still a game. These people know how to play that game, and, more often than not, win. If they're intellegent, knowledgeable, and supportive of Obama's plans, then why not hire them?? Would it be better to hire an idealistic, naive staff who have no clue how to achieve things in Washington? I'd rather see things get done.

If fundamental change is measured in terms of individuals that Obama appoints to his administration, then it is poorly conceived. It must be measured in terms of the policies and he presides over. Certainly that makes more sense!

It's a change from Republican Rule. And who wouldn't want experienced people?

All you nuts that just want to bash our new president, go ahead and show your negative, obsessive nature on-line.

When he said he was bringing change, he meant that Washington was going to listen to the people for once instead of the special interests. He didn't say anything about appointing token Republicans to his staff for show.

I agree. I want to see new blood in this administration.

I guess he could choose republicans, but that wouldn't be change either considering Bush has been in office for 8 years. So Memo to Obama: Choose people that are are younger than you, even less experience than you, and have no partisan background so you can please your conflicting critics....

How many Democratic Presidents have we had since Jimmy Carter? Well, counting Bill Clinton…one. If he brought one a whole cosmos of new people, the media would accuse him of bringing in inexperienced people and they would have said, “This is 1992-1993 all over again.” P.E. Obama has not finished making selections yet, number one. Number two, he has already changed the tenor of government by changing (yes CHANGE) the dialogue on Capitol Hill—see Joe Lieberman. Hence, pundits like Leslie Sanchez should exercise a bit of something we forget here in America called “patience”.

As usual the politicians and the pundits have their own version of what the people think, while the people suffer their ignorance and await the opportunity to make their own voices heard. Obama's background as a community organizer has served him well to this point; no reason to doubt his ability to continue that success. People keep underestimating this man.

I absolutely do NOT care who he picks as long as they're capable of doing the job they're given and help put this nation back on the right track...

CHANGE is about POLICY – not PEOPLE.

The criticism comes from people who a) don't understand how governement works, b) don't want things to change, c) are afraid.

They need to give this administration the same chance we all gave Bush – THEN you can criticize – until he's actually in office, making decisions, and implementing his agenda, please just give it a rest.

So who he suppose to put in these positions Joe the plumber?

Friends,

I do agree that many of those old timer might bring the same thing in Washington. However the philosophy of change does not necessarily mean capable american people should not help or even particiapte in this change process.

It is sure that the president Bush did damage the image of the country

thanks

This is beyone pathetic.
So far, almost every appointment is a recycled Clinton flunkie.
After 16 years, Obama can't find new blood in Washington or the private sector who doesn't have ties to the Clintons.

And Bill will release information on "future fundraising and donations".
If he doesn't have anything to hide and if his past relationships won't affect Hillary's appointment why is he refusing to make ALL of his PAST finances available? Who donated to your library Bill?
Can't wait to see how they funnel future donations into paying Hillary's remaining campaign debt!

This is a total and blatant conflict of interest!
This isn't NEW AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY – THIS IS ACT 3 OF THE CLINTONS ARE BACK SO ALL YOU WORLD LEADERS NEED TO GET OUT YOUR CHECKBOOKS!

Obama ran the same campaign that Clinton ran in 1992. What do you expect?

Obama is just staffing his Administration with the Best of the Best. Period.

Anyone he picks will serve at the pleasure of the
President and his agenda. His agenda is CHANGE.

The media and skeptics need to take a deep breath and relax....give this Intelligent, Diplomatic man a chance.

I have faith in his ability to bring about the change we so desperately need.

He spoke of meaningful change not a 5 letter word. Let us see what he brings when the full team is put together. And more importantly let us see where he goes after 100 days.

This is not a McDonald's drive through. Instant satisfaction that will lead to an upset stomach.

The change will be the agenda set by Obama, not the people he selects to carry it out. Why is this so hard to comprehend? Can you imagine what the critics would be saying if he filled his cabinet with unknowns? It would be too much of a change, and will shock the system.

I have worked with the military for years. Although leadership change every couple years, my experience is needed for a smooth transition. So, should I be fired or transfered everytime a new leader comes aboard?

Am I the only one who thought that Obama's call for change meant changing policies? I don't care who is in his cabinet (as long as they add something). So far, they all seem like thinkers, critics, and straight talkers, which is exactly what Obama needs. People need to give it a chance, the man has this! I mean, Obama is already talking about shutting down Guantanamo Bay and repealing some executive orders Bush did, so to me that is definitely the change I like to see.

-yes , i'm one of those people....

i can't believe that he is picking hillary for sec of state...

all my donation to his camp and my vote got wasted...
once in my life i trusted a politiction and he fooled me....

shame on obama, shame......

Were Republican's expecting jobs? Lisa Sanchez can take her opinion and do whatever she wants with it.

Never mind what a man says...look at what he does.

I'm not a big supporter of all the crooks in the Clinton administration joining this administration., But, look on the bright side.... for every Clintonista he hires, it's one less crooked Chicago mob boss he didn't hire.

"Change" comes from the leadership that Obama will provide. He will create a vision of how the givernment should be run, and he will manage the team (Clintonistas or not) accordingly. Obama will run a fundamentally different White House than Bill Clinton. His picks thusfar will still be beholden to him. The fact that they also were beholden to Bill at one point does not in and of itself mean that the White House will be the same. Although many of these individuals worked for Clinton, most of them were low level officials and Barack has boosted them into higher positions within his administration. Furthermore, Obama never said he was going to choose different people. Given this, the whining from dissappointed Repubs and Dems is kinda silly.

Well, they're not the same clowns that were running the show for the last 8 years. That IS change.

It really comes down to his policies and for them to be carried out. If those he hires carry that out, it doesn't matter who he brings in. But if I remembered the 90s weren't all that bad.

Well, there not the same clowns that were running the show for the last 8 years. That IS the change we need!

CNN Please stop moderating me an POST THIS!!!!

Be real you all, OBAMA has to pick people who knows what they are doing..You have to see that Bill Clinton was the last democrat president and he served for 8 years, it just make sense that any qualified democrat will have a connection with his administration...Changes doesn't mean taking a No-name and give them the prestigious job, McCain tried that with PALIN and it didn't work. I think some people (republican) are waiting so bad for OBAMA to fail that they will criticize everything he does..Beside the choice of SOS for HRC I am very happy with his choices so far. The problem with HRC is the conflict of Interest with BILL ,otherwise I believe she is qualified and respected abroad which is important for an SOS. So chill out people and let BO do his Job!

It is amazing. Up to now just 2 prominent members of staff are put into place and 2 names for a mayor political cabinet member has been named and the the crap is starting.
BTW, could Leslie Sanchez, once in a lifetime, talk positive about President elect Obama.

Fundamental Change means HOW he will run the government. It doesn't mean he will appoint a bunch of rookies. He needs experienced people. WE need experienced people.

There will be change. Just becasue some of the old team comes in to play does not mean they are working from the same playbook. When a team is not doing well they fire the coach. We have a new coach and the game will be played by different rules. Regardless of the team. The coach is the leader. I happen to like the new coach. Go Team Obama

I actually really do primarily care about changes in Policies and thats it.. Obama has appointed like only 2 cabinet posts thus far and already the media is branding his administration as Clinton 2. It's all about talent and at the end of the day I just want the best person in the right position whether he/she is Democratic or Republican.

Oh for the love of God. There are ~2000 people that serve with a president, and these are going to be among the most qualified people in the U.S.

Those that have served before have experience, as well as being qualified.

The people that have been appointed work to enact the president's will. It doesn't matter that they've served a different president, they will be working for Obama, and his vision will shape the administration even if they had 100% carryovers, which they clearly won't.

Some people need to learn a little bit about what they are complaining about.

Leslie Sanchez makes a good point. I think Obama is trying to please the Clinton party way too much. I was hoping to see a diversity of new appointees instead of a bunch of Clinton retreads. Yes, it's still early in the game, but I do hope Obama change it up a little.

READ his book people and you will know what he meant by Change, folks.

'the way Washington works', not necessarily new faces.

Never a supporter before, but I like the fact that the new hires are chosen on credentials, not favors.

Obama has proven to be the smartest politician in our US history, just look how far he's gotten in a short time period so I wouldn't question his judgement on change. He picked the most strongest candidates for his cabinet, Obama will do the right thing. He has proven himself over and over. Leslie Sanchez isn't giving Obama a chance because he is a democrat. She should worry about her fellow party member "W "who is a complete idiot and messed up our country.

Republican trolls and Clinton haters would have issues with anybody Obama picked, largely just out of sheer prinicple.

I am tired of right wing nuts saying Obama supporters are uneducated. Why don't you look at the exit polls? Graduates and higher (meaning doctors, Ph.D, juris doctorates, etc.) voted for Obama. I have a Masters and I'm going on to my Ph.D.

Sorry that you feel you must put us down… poor GOP

I guess CHANGE was just one more lie from the Obama "Lets Make Believe" campaign. Looks like it is the same old buyers, the same old sellers, the same old takers and the tax paying public gets screwed again! Toss in Hillary as Sec of State so she can't run in 2012, let the queers come out in the military, and we may as well start kissing off the rest of our democracy and just come out and admit we're a Socialistic Democracy ruled by minorities and idiots.

That's right...change we can believe in...
Well, we'll see. It really doesn't look like he's bringing fresh ideas to government with the old party stalwarts.

We must ask again, what change is he referring to? Clinton did one thing right, started reducing the debt and deficit. But everyone agrees that Obama's plan will increase the debt and deficit...is this the change that he's talking about?

Just have to wait and see, I guess. Hopefully he will understand that he has to reduce government, debt, deficit. Something neither the Democrats or Republicans have really been focused on.

Wow, everyone's a critic!

Do this, do that.

Obama has a right to chose his staff as he sees fit.

Obama has to fix our nation and if that means a heavily Democratic staff, then so be it!

'Nuff said.

More GOP whining. They really need to get over themselves.

Obama is putting experienced people into key positions. Where did they get this experience? Well, some of them from working under the Clinton administration in different positions. Is Obama expected to hire all new people nobody has even heard of before? Change comes from their actions. Good people in the right positions will help successfully accomplish our goals. It shouldn't matter whether they had ties to Clinton's administration or not.

The bottom line is who will do the job best and offer what he needs most and obviously he has that under control. Everything he has done so far has been very very carefully planned, every person carefully vetted. he has not made one palinism. The big story you guys are going to need to cover and give us the straight scoop on .....will be all the things that are uncovered about the last 8 years. After Bush is gone we will see things that will shock us. More and more will be uncovered...and that is where you CNN guys will find your dirt.

With the mess that the Bush is leaving him he needs people with experience in positions. I can magine the uproar if he picked people with no experience in government. He is going to lead, and govern...give the picks he make a chance before everyone goes bashing them.

Same old, same old !
Just another politician talking out of both sides of his mouth.
Obama would have said anything to get elected... just like the clintons.

Leslie Sanchez needs to help Arnold in california, It looks like their tortillas are burning!

no change...

Slowly the Obamites will realize they were misled by flashy speaches and phoney promises.

Socialism, here we come!!

Yes, and I see has held to his pledge to not have ANY lobbyists on his team. Seems like he held to that pledge like he held to the no public financing pledge.

Change lemmings can believe in.

The Change that President Obama ran on was in the policies of governing. The people most qualified to carry out his agenda happen be some of the Clinton former cabinet. Maybe there aren’t many Republicans qualified to carry out these duties. They’re too busy being indicted and avoiding going to jail.

I'm sure there's a very logical explanation for all of this. Obama promised us change and hope. I love Obama.