[...] of the blue, in the third presidential debate, Obama cited Jones as someone he trusts on national security. He is an advocate for stepped-up defense spending. And, [...]

[...] Energy, under the direction of General James Jones, USMC (retired). (Yes, the Jim Jones being rumored for a senior position in the Obama Administration (National Security Advisor?), an earlier rumored potential Obama Vice-Presidential selection, and [...]

What is needed at this time/period in this country – individuals that have the knowledge and experience too hit the floor on the first day – President elect Obama appears to have too be selecting individuals that will help him too gear this country back on track. At this time this country is in very very bad shape financially – it will not correct itself overnight but with hard work and each citizen in this country working toward the goal of restoring this country's position in the world -

LiberalsHateAmerica:
Do you even know what socialism is? Human social programs are not even close to socialism, which is the "state ownership state and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and the creation of an egalitarian society." Con-heads, who scream socialism every time the government offers funds to "promote the general welfare" as the Constitution requires, don't appear to even know what socialism is. The closest thing we've had to socialism is the government's purchase of stocks in the failing financial markets and that's under YOUR guy's watch, Dude. Obama is a Capitalist.

It's so funny to sit back and watch, listen to and read the comments of the paranoid Republicans! Keep it up. You guys are entertaining!

Oh what a laugh these haters like ck are. It's impossible to take them seriously when there is such a lack of coherent thought in their posts. Perhaps they think "Joe the Plumber" would be the best choice for security adviser. Personally, I want the *best* qualified person for the job, not a college drinking buddy. Remember "You're doing a heck of a good job Brownie!" ?

to Karen from San Antonio- Powell said on national TV that he was not interested in having a formal position of power in an obama administration. he said that he would rather play in informal role, off the record, advising obama, as he had been throughout the campaign.

Yes, it will be a REAL CHANGE not to have our two dictators, bush and chaney in the white house , causing the worst disastors this country has ever been in, and It will be worse cleaning up their mess than cleaning a pig pen, after their 8 yr's of coruption and greed. Best of luck to our new administration, they will need all the help they can get, of course we also get to help clean up the mess, tighten our belts and bite the bullet, because It's not going to be any joy ride.

LiberalsHateAmerica is like a woman scorned…….Ha!…get over it or move away to a place where the shoe fits…..

LiberalsHateAmerica, are you off your meds again? "drank the kool-aid right off the cliff"? You're obviously incoherent, and should get back on the happy pills before you rant again.

Oops… I meant Barry's administration not GW's. Heck, their both out of touch…..

Everyone here who is thinking that Obama supporters are being "hoodwinked" or are "Obama victims" because of his choices so far need to remember this:

He ran on change from the BUSH administration, not the CLINTON administration.

Any people who were Clinton staff will have more experience, will be lead by Obama, and will be able to give him advice on what to do and that advice will come from EXPERIENCE (experience you say? how dare he!)

The Clinton administration was incredible. I was so sorry to see him go, and to see Bush blatantly steal that 2000 election.

Buckle-up repubs, your party is about to crash.

LiberalHateAmerica, if the shoe fits, then wear it. The media is not dead in America, you are just mad because all news outlets are not like Fix News. If you are under 65, then write Medicare and Social Security and let them know when you are 65, to keep thier money and medical insurance, because you don't agree with government helping people. And if you are over 65 then don't use Meidcare and send your monthly Social Secuirty check back. It's people like you that makes America a joke in world opinion. So go clean your gun and shut your mouth moron.

Like I seriously have to ask this question…..

are all the disciples of Obama (not people who just voted for him but those of you that follow him as he is the second coming)….

Can you please explain to me what he has done that shows this incredible wisdom….high intellect….great leadership…..

I mean the man hasn't done anything yet. Running a campaign is not the same as being President….do any of you understand that?

And the only thing he has done since being elected is appoint people he has "owed" from said campaign to the highest positions in the land…..that is not leadership.

Hey Mickey…..

Who are these people smiling?

I'm certainly not and neither are any of my friends or relatives….all we have seen is our 401k's drop by 30 percent since 11/4 and have seen the any moral authority this country had left ripped from beneath us by the press and its brainwashing of followers like you.

at one time reading some of the junk that the Obama haters would post here would tick me off………but now I just laugh at them because sitting behind a keyboard and typing this stuff is ALL they really have. And most of it just shows how shallow and not very bright they are and only gives more proof why the GOP lost and is still loisng. I am willing to give Obama a chance, pick a good smart team behind him and after Jan 21st start working on getting our country back together. And GUESS WHAT?? If he does that even the Obama haters will profit too……and for those whining about former Clinton appointments, the Clintons left the WHite House with a surplus and Bill Clinton still had a 60+ approval rating so they must have been doing something right. Now Bush on the other hand………

LiberalsHateAmerica:
Hello??
We're all still under Dubya's watch. Oh, yeah, I forgot. 9/11 didn't happen under Dubya's watch either.

Please continue to deny the obvious. Makes you look real credible.

LIberalsHateAmerica,

Hmmm. What part of us mirroring Europe would actually be bad? The steady holding value of the Euro in comparison to the dollar? The excellent health plans, and the fact that all European countries rank above the U.S. in lower child mortality rates and average health? That unemployment in Europe is at an all-time low, rather than just about an all-time high as here? That, except for Britain, they are not stuck in a war costing them $10 billion a month, and even Britain is not getting hit by that amount? That they have some of the best rail services and commuter systems in the world? That they are not universally despised by countries around the world? Want me to go on?

I guess they really DO have it bad, don't they?

Republicans sure are whiney these days.

Now, now, guys, play nice. CK can't help that he/she feels robbed. The candidate they supported did not get elected. Welcome to the club, CK, I didn't elect either Bush in any of the three elections of that father/so team, either!

Now, instead of spouting partisan political stuff, can we discuss the issues? General Jim Jones is an experienced military man with excellent knowledge of how to deal with security issues. Seems to me, his knowledge and experience puts him at the top of a short list qualified for the position. As a Vietnam era vet, I know I"m pleased.

My God people. Obama isn't even President yet and a lot of you Republicans are already jumping on him. How about trying to steer your hatefullness to the people who brought us to where we are as a country.

Bush doesn't know dick. And leaving the country to corporations hasn't really proved to be a great theme.

Let's try something new and come together and work as Americans.

For all of the people that don't understand supervisor/manager/leader, here is what you do:

The person "in-charge" would not and should not be the one who knows everything fine detail of the various jobs in the organization. To be successful, first you must employ individuals who have the proper expertise to do their jobs and as a leader you depend on that person to give you the pros and cons. As a leader, you must take that information from your experts and make an informed decision based on the need of the entire organization, or in this case, the United States of America.

Leadership/management is not about someone being the smartest or the quickest, it is about surrounding yourself with the proper people and your ability to motivate those people to continue to bring new ideas and visions.

First, congratulations to Barack Obama our next President and Commander-in-Chief. As an active duty Army officer, I am very optimistic despite many view Obama presidency will not keep our military strong. I'm pleased with his NSA selection because he's former military. Although president-elect Obama has not served in the military, I believe he has the intellectual capacity to know the US needs a strong military despite some fear of him cutting key military programs, troops and funding while fighting two wars. Also, he has two distinct characteristics that the military needs the most right now and they are "uniting people and vision." We need a Commander-in-Chief that can provide us with a clear vision to win the war on terriosm and unite people of different countries and our own to support this effort.

Scottie Jackson, Student , Command and General Staff College, ILE, Ft. Belvoir, VA. The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

@ LiberalsHateAmerica

Read a book and then talk about the economy. What's happening to the markets right now was going to happen no matter who was elected. Half a century of believing in the fairy tale of randian, chicago school, trickle-down reaganomics is finally blowing up in America's face. Now that we've learned there is no such thing as economic gravity (what goes up, don't come down), the healing can begin.

LiberalshateAmerica, you forgot to mention that the current economic meltdown is happening and it is the Republicans in office.

As much as you are preaching hatred and doomsday, you fail to recognize Obama is not President, so if you want to blame someone, look at the current administration.

With the country in the terrible condition that it is in it stands to reason that President-elect Obama would pick highly qualified people to cabinet heads unlike dumb George W. Bush. One of the reasons the country is in the toilet is because of the neo-cons that didn't know anything about the jobs that they were hired for under Bush and as a result we find ourselves where we are today, messed up.

Patriot gal
All we need to have a repilca of the clinton cabinet would be the appt of monica to something ..But hey, change!change!change!change!
The media is in a love fest with barry and it will only get worse.

More clinton years means less military, more gov't in our lives, more entitlements to deadbeats, more unions strangling our businesses, less USA security in the world. Barry will probably try to allow europe to be part of the electorate in 2012 because some of his biggest fans are european socialists who are completely in love with him.

This is guy is good…friends with Admiral Fallon and told the old Chief of Staff Pace to stand up or be careful about Rumsfeld…this guy knows and is anti-Bush…decline Rice twice…

I was wondering the same thing..Where's Colen? Where are the Afican American's? Seems to me he's forgot his own! Come on Obama there are several Afican American's worthy of these jobs.

From the bio, he sounds like a good choice.

Jones is the right pick.Please pay no attention to the 15 year old Limbaugh blogger that uses many names and even answers and praises herself on here.She seems to have serious mental issues and should seek the aid of a doctor.

Reading these posts from the far right (and those who profess not to be) I can almost visually see them imploding.

As they scramble to insult every breathing moment of Baracks life and actions, they do nothing to fix the party and do everything to alienate everyone who isn't right of the right which leaves out almost 70% of the nation.

As a former Republican, the party has been overtaken by nothing less than hypocritical, hate and fear mongering neocons who preach intolerance, ignorance and backwards thinking.

You can't solve new world problems with backwards beliefs.

Liberals hate America
You really are a jerk. How do you live with all that hate in your heart? Besides being dead wrong you must be a pretty miserable human being. I have to laugh when I read your ugly posts but then a part of me does feel sorry for your ignorant self.
It must really suck to be you!

liberalshate america

You are the most ignorant, hateful, racist moron on the blog. It is so funny to read the blogs from losers like you, I love it, you can't stand that Obama is THE president and we laugh at you. Now go back to your trailer and clean you gun, LOL

Of course he's picking people with experience – to make up for his lack of it.

To the idiots that are making the lame connection between Obama's election and the recent numbers in Wall Street…, if you look closely you see that the market is overreacting in a daily basis to that specific day or the day before news. If the news are good or at least seems to be good Dow Jones goes up 2, 3 or 4%. If they are bad it goes down the same way, like a rollercoaster. It was such turmoil in the Economy that helped Barack Obama, after all John McCain was the one that said 'The fundamentals of the economy are strong' (or something close to that.
The economy is in trouble since before the election, before even the primaries! And is still in turmoil and will stay like that for a few months (if not years) more. If the 44th POTUS doesn't manage to solve it the Republicans have a big chance to return to the White House in 2013.
That said, let the man be sworn in and effectively and legally do something against the crisis before starting to trow rocks!
And by the way, since he's considering someone with four decades in the military forces as a close advisor and someone in charge of an important set of security charges, it seems that he's doing the right choices…

Hey Sarah is wishing a happy thanksgiving by showing how to kill turkeys on TV
Sarah Palin
Very Funny

ck why do you care ,you didnt vote for Mr.Obama.Its shows that he's self confifent enough to surround himself with the best and the brightest.im very pleased with his selections.who would u like to to be secretary of state rush limbaugh-and while we're at it let's name sean hannity secretary of defense.

I can't believe these mindless right-wingers. Can't wait to trash Barack Obama for his slightest twitch, even before he's in office. Where have their voices been the last eight years? Hello? Anyone home? Amazing how beliefs and hysteria can blind some people to reality and any form of decency. Do I hear psycho?

This choice is one of the besy our Pres Elect has or is going to do. CK you are an idiot and that is enough said!! Senator Clinton will make a great SoS sh has the intellegence and the contacts and relations from all those diff countries. Pleas PE Obama keep on keepin on!!

I love the comments from the 'deep thinkers' about how the economic crisis is actually as a result of Obama being elected. When the markets begin to improve, as they inevitably will, I am sure these geniuses will say it is because of the anticipation that the next President will be Republican…

Pete – "Change? We will all be asking for spare change before he's even in office."

Yes, and that will be the current administration's fault, not Obama's. He's yet to take office. If you believe that markets are speculating an Obama administration, then I argue it was incorrect market speculation that brought us this trouble in the first place. Either way, you're grasping at straws, buddy.

I get a kick out of those who criticize Obama for his appoinments. They act like they were elected Presdient. I hate to tell you people this but it was Obama who was elected Presdient, by a majority of the people). Obama therefore can pick who the hell he wants to pick.

If you have a prefernece for a particular person or position I see no problems with stating so (and giving specific reasons why you prefer one person over another). But to criticize Obama's picks is sort of presumptuous don't you think? Now if someday you can be elected President you can pick who it is you want. Otherwise shut up, watch how Obama does and if his administration ends up being as bad as GWB's then you'll have th right to run for President yourself or select another President in four years.

Just remember that opinions are a dime a dozen. Everyone has one.

Change? What happened to Change? All I see are re-cycled Democrats who all lost elections, being put in positions for which their qualifications are questionable at best. Mr. Obama, I vote for change. You are disappointing me.

Powell? Oh geez no please. He is a liar and a war criminal.

"painting all of us gun-owning Americans as racist and white trash." You're doing a fine job without any help, you bitter little wingnut. You can help fight against socialism by taking your money out of FDIC-insured banks and hiding it in your mattress, and if you live long enough to get Social Security, why, just return your checks uncashed! In fact, all you socialism-haters should intercept your grannys' checks and tear them up. Don't ride on city buses because they are a socialist monopoly, or take a subway for the same reason. Ever noticed that you can't buy your electricity or water from the competition? It's because of SOCIALISM!!
Terrible, ain't it?

Obama is not even the President yet. Bush is still President. Where is W today? What is he doing at this time? I'll tell you. He's doing nothing today just the same as he's always done. Somebody else has to clean up after Bush while he golfs and pretends to be a cowboy.

LiberalshateAmerica :

Good grief! Take a deep breath. The only one spewing hate so far is YOU. All your comments are about H-A-T-E

Brace yourself and set your mind to 8 years…. That will sink in so much easier.

Peace!

I am an Obama supporter, but I certainly wish HE would come out and state who is choices are rather than leaking it to the media from "unnamed sources." Why can't he step up to the mike and state "this is who I want for Secretary of (whatever)," or have an official announcement from someone who can be mentioned by name and official position with the president-elect's office? Is this the presidential version of voting "present" so that he can disavow the person if they get in trouble?

ck: Don't worry about all these liberal blowhards. After Clinton's third term, and after the country is in much worse shape, we will regain the White House. However, until then we need to support the current administration no matter how out of touch it may be.

Hannity/Palin 2012!

SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!

CNN is eventually begining to air viewpoints critical of Obama, since Obama won. It is a shame that CNN suppressed people's viewpoints in the past 18 months since they pirated Obama to White House.

Republicans are already complaining and Obama isn't even in office. What happened to insisting that you never criticize a president in a time of war? It sounds as though Republicans hate America.

At least he is not picking out some dildo salesman who was his room-mate in college for a while, like someone else we know (G.W.)

Where is the change hahahahaha!

Paul, ridiculous! Markets have been bad for the current President for a long time and getting worse. This is his doing my friend!!! Remember, we have one president at a time and his name is George W. Bush!

WHERE IS COLIN POWELL GOING TO BE!!!! OBAMA HAS TO PICK HIM FOR SOMETHING OR I WILL BE SORELY DISAPPOINTED. I KNOW COLIN IS WILLING TO WORK WITH HIM….SO GET ON WITH IT!!!

It appears the markets are about as excited as socialism as the rest of us non-Obamabots……..It's the worst sell-off in post-election history and the mainstream media is too busy making the connection of higher gun sales to barry's win, painting all of us gun-owning Americans as racist and white trash. Journalism truly died in America in 2008 and the Obamabots drank the kool-aid right off the cliff. Barry O will take this country to the far-left in everyway and we will mirror european socialism before he is finished. Gov't run healthcare, housing, auto-industry…..yeehaa!!! change is comin! hope! change!!hope!! change!!!

What is going on here? This new kid on the block is picking people for his team that actually have experience, credibility, and respect. Folks like the good General Jones here who is not an out front mouthpiece, but a man who knows of what he speaks, and smart people listen. Obama is showing that it is wise to seek out the wise for counsel.

Okay people. Remember this phrase: Be the change you want to see. All the slams and negativity on these blogs simply shows that YOU all are not willing to become part of the change. It's starts with us folks. BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE!

AFSGTSAM: wow, i cannot stop laughing. absolutely ridiculous. a president who challenges the public to think for themselves instead of putting our faith in big brother to "take care of us"… and you call his supporters lemmings. such a delicious irony.

these current republican hacks remind me of the days after Y2K, when true believers were looking around confused, not knowing what to do now that their individual reality was shattered – realizing the world had not in fact ended.

the earth is flat! and the universe revolves around it! President-elect Obama is unqualified! lmao my friend, I hope you see the delusion you are subscribing to for what it is, then let it go and come enjoy the life you've been given with the rest of us. Obama is the best thing to ever happen to this country. hoo-ah.

Does it occur to any of you Republican lemmings that George Bush was probably the LEAST qualified President of our time? I find nothing funny about that.

Barack Obama is not only qualified to lead this country, he has the intelligence, wisdom and foresight to surround himself with the best people so that this cess pool we have been left with can finally be flushed clean.

To those who think everyone Obama is picking for is cabinet is more qualified than he is – NO DUH! A leader is supposed to pick experts in their respective fields, then listen when they talk so he/she can make informed decisions. That, my friend, is a sign of intelligence and wisdom.

Contrast this to Bush's style of the last 8 years, when he couldn't suffer differing opinions and just rubber-stamped everything Cheyney, Rumsfeld, Rove, and others spoon-fed him. A lot of good THAT type of leadership brought our country!

Try to be a thinking human being, and give Obama a chance. So far I'm sleeping much better than I have the last 8 years..and yes, i'm terrified by the economoy and how to pay for my son's college, and if i will have a job tomorrow or a roof over my head. But I also am heartened to see a leader I believe has a good soul and cares about people. If more people realized that that's the change this country needs..not the big monster mansions, or the private CEO jets and spa jaunts, all the oil company and health care kickbacks to Washington, gas guzzling luxury cars and the hedonisitic way people conduct their lives and the White House conducted this war, we may not be in this economic nightmare.

God Bless you and your family ,Barack, and this wonderful country..that we may finally pull together and begin to heal from the past 8 years.

Don't know this Jones guy, but if the article's accurate, he sounds like an intelligent choice. I understand Rich's concerns, but what I think it means is that Jones is getting some very direct briefing about the difference between a general and a political appointee. You can read Colin Powell's autobiography and glean some insight into that issue.

Dang ; it was Oprahs job !

Republicans still trying to dump their mess on Obama. You can not expect intelligent government to come from less than intelligen people. What a mess you leave, it may take many years to clean it up and get this great country back to world wide positive recognition. Pain the Ugly Americans Republican.

AFSGTSAM, it hasn't occurred to you that the fact that Obama is able to pick qualified people who may disagree with him shows his mettle as Commander-in-Chief. If anything, this goes to show that Obama IS qualified to be President, keeping in mind the last 8 years…

Pete – "The markets response to Obama being elected is astounding, down close to 20% since November 5.

Change? We will all be asking for spare change before he's even in office."

The economy as we speak has nothing to do with Obama being selected as 44th POTUS. Only people who have no knowledge of economics believe something as radical as what you're spouting from your mouth and typing with your non-thinking fingers.

On the bright side, keeping the Clintons around will guarantee Obama is

a one term president!

ck: hahahahahahaha what is it like to be delusional? hope rush limbaugh is treating you well. i hear the GOP is looking for a new direction… how about Russia, i hear their homeland security department can wiretap whoever the hell they want.

"hoodwinked" – lmfao thank you, God. I've waited 8 long years for this, and it's even better than I thought.

What difference does it make? We will be less secure as a nation with Obama in charge. Everyone knows that. I feel sorry for the guy, he will probably spend many frustrated hours as he watches the budget cuts and policy waffles that will sap the strength of our military and intelligence community.

President-elect Obama is a man of superior intellect, vision, and sound judgment. He is multi-dimensional in his outlook and he knows how to win friends (Foreign Alliances) and influence people (unite our countrymen).

He has an uncanny ability to put pieces of a picture puzzle together while separating that which is of use from that which is wasteful. This man has many gifts and he is "the one" for these terrible times!

But most importantly, he is a man of Faith. He has mountains before him to move, but that is what Faith does. He is not alone in this wilderness; he has an ALMIGHTY AND POWERFUL GUIDE!

Watch as well as pray….miracles will be seen! He will continue to have all that he needs to succeed when he needs it!

It is no accident that he will be the 44th President of the United States. Those double 4's have significance of their own!

How about Rev Wright, Rashid Khalidi, or Bil Ayers? Actually how about one of the biggest anti-Americans barry knows to put in the job- Michelle…

I don't know the guy, but I trust Obama's judgment.

That is all fine and well, but I am still wanting Obama to reward Richardson. The Gov broke from the Clinton's and became a staunch supporter of his. I think he deserves a position in the cabinet

Funny thing does it occur to most of you Obama lemmings that the majority of the people he is appointing in his cabinet are far far more qualified to be President than Obama ?

I guess I should not be surprised that there are still those who cannot understand that intelligent and brilliant people are being chosen for the jobs most suited for them and who can offer their years of experience and wisdom to not only the President, but to the citizens of this country. Get over the good ol' boy mentality and embrace the age of intelligence, respect and diversity.

Anyone who thinks that this is not CHANGE is indeed, still immersed in the wonderful world of Bush/Cheney. Open your eyes and your minds and be part of the change.

Give me a break. Everyone is trying to micro manage his choices for cabinet. I am very confident in President elect-Obama's intellectual being. His has a good reason for picking Senator Clinton. Putting here in the cabinet keeps here from opposing his proposals from the senate. As Sec. of State she is his voice and representative around the world. Step up your game people.

It's funny how someone here said that CHANGE IS COMING cause we can see everyones' good expressions on their faces…..

I say we wait and see how OBAMA performs AT BAT and not how he performs in the BATTER'S BOX.

TIME WILL TELL…..

Obama's choices are amazing. A mulit-talented, multi-philosophical and multi-innovative group. Now that is the way to enact change!

WELL SAID MICKEY (November 21, 10:57am)

Mickey- You are delusional and are a shining example of the disgustingly partisan Liberals in this country. You and your cronies are already touting Obama as a new FDR before he has even been sworn in. Guess what? Liberals have long idolized the 1930s as a decade of great unity. It wasn’t. The 1930s was a miserable decade of poverty, domestic unrest, labor strife, violations of civil liberties and widespread fear. If liberals really loved peace, prosperity and national cohesion, they’d remember the 1920s or 1950s more fondly. And yet they don’t. Why? Because liberals didn’t get to impose their schemes and dreams on the country in those decades. Behind all the talk of unity and bipartisanship and shared sacrifice lies an uglier ambition: power. The audacity of hope behind all this Lincoln-FDR-Obama blather is the dream of riding roughshod over the opposition, of having their way, of total victory. You care nothing about bipartisanship

Well, have the advisors finally talked Obama into making logical choices for key positions in his cabinet? Let's hope so with this pick. Now, if someone could get him to STOP the appointment of Hillary, then we could all rest easier! I cannot imagine Hillary on the road with high powered political figures, especially in countries with snipers around. And is she going to provide Bill with some cigars while she is at it–how much will that cost us??????

Mr President you are doing
the right thing, not every body will like you . God bless u

this wes clark supporter is disappointed. this new cabinet is more of the same.

Hoodwinked? No. Impressed? Yes. Careful thought is being brought into the decisions being made. You have here a careful blend of old and new being brought into the fold. Intelligence, loyalty and diversity. Those ingredients alone mean change, especially the first adjective. President Obama will do us proud. If I didn't believe it with everything in me, I would NOT have lowered the lever under his name.

I had the honor to work directly for General Jones when he was the Chief of Staff for Provide Promise (the Humanitarian Aid Operations into Bosnia and Sarajevo). The man is a great leader, strong intellectual, and is his own person. I can think of no one who is more intelligent, more knowledgeable, and more experienced for this job. He would be a great addition to President Elect Obama's Cabinet, and will advise him and the Vice President with clear, honest, well defined advice.

It is good to see that they are choosing people who deserve to be chosen. I have all the confidence in the world in General Jones, and in our future President.

Obama keeps making great choices for his cabinet and power players. Not at all like the doddering cronyism of the Bush administration that kept having to replace players when they were outed as incompetent or crooked.

The Obama Team has not started to do s/he job yet. So dont judge! Evaluate them at the end of their term.

I THINK IT IS REFRESHING- CHANGE IS IN THE AIR- THE BUSH DISASTER WILL STAY WITH US FOR YEARS TO COME UNFORTUNATELY.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS POOR EXCUSE FOR A PRESIDENT AND HIS BOSS DICK CHENEY BROUGHT UP ON CHARGES FOR ABUSE OF POWER, AND SO MANY OTHER ATROCITIES THAT THEY COMMITTED.
THEIR PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE EXILE TO ALASKA TO LIVE IN SARAH PALIN'S HOME FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS….

For those of you too lazy, stupid, or contrary to investigate General Jones, he is a former Commandant of the Marine Corps and Supreme Allied Commander of European Forces.

General Jones can get the job done. He is not some Clinton holdover – he remains bipartisan.

Even Joe Scarborough ("Morning Joe" on MSNBC). a pretty solid Republican, is impressed by this guy. Isn't it comforting to know that grownups are going to be in charge within about 60 days?

I have to agree with what most of the critics are saying so far: that Obama's Cabinet choices are just "cut-and-paste" from the Clinton Administration. Along with that, ther are some of them that just aren't experienced enough, including Hillary Clinton, who was chosen to be Secretary of State. In other words, I do not agree with Obama's choices, nor do I agree with the country'es decision to put him in office.

President Obama: Keep moving in the direction you are headed! Great choices!

Yes! Go President-elect! You are selecting great experienced and bi-partisian leaders for your Cabinet. You are a man of your word…the nay-sayers wouldn't be happy no matter what you did. They are wanting you to fail…which means America fails. They're still hoping for VP Palin…how sad!

Great choice

What a great change to have a leader who excersizes wisdom when making decisions.

CK, there's no hoodwinking going on. YES, there is change coming. Just take a look around you. People are smiling again. That's a ginormous change. The Bushies are leaving after 8 years of destroying this country, the chance for a return to what we think makes America great is right there on the horizon thanks to the incoming administration. Competent people who have proven to be good at their jobs are being appointed. Will it work? We'll know in 8 years. At least we do know that Obama is making intelligent decisions in staffing his cabinet.

And guess what? I don't care if some of these folks worked for Roosevelt or even Lincoln! Put people who CAN do the job IN the job.

No, we haven't been hoodwinked, not like the people who voted Bush in twice, the self-same people who believed the shinola he was selling.

Agree with all his choices so far but even if I didn't would be impressed by his thoughtfullness.

obama has more brains in his little finger than all the republican have together. he is picking smart people to work with him to restore this country to its place on the shining hill that king george drove us off of.

ithink that the selection of hillary clinton is a terrible mistake. however the choice of mr. Jones is a good one.

Obama is picking highly experienced people. There's only two places where they could have gotten that experience. Either in a Bush or Clinton administration, as those two families have held power for the last 30 years. Thats what happens when we keep electing members of the same family…I don't know about you, but I'm not interested in returning to the days of bloodlines and monarchies.

I'm not quite sure what ck is looking for, if s/he's unhappy with a choice like Jones.

soon this team is gonna be labled the dream team.remember i said to "watch"

President Barack Obama is choosing that right persons. Based in experienced and integrity. Excellent. yes I will likde to see Hagel too.

Don't look for Obama to pull troops out of Iraq any time soon, at least until he starts running for re-election and he dusts off his slogan of Change again.

Dave, I thought the very same thing when I saw his name…LOL.

From what I'm hearing from both parties…dem & repubs…THIS IS AN EXCELLENT CHOICE….

CHANGE WE CAN DEFINATELY BELIEVE IN….PRES-ELECT HAS SHOWN HE WILL BE AN EXCELLENT PRESIDENT WHO MAKES DECISIONS INTELLIGENTLY!!!

This Would Be Another Stellar Choice By Obama! This Impressive Man Will Be The Greatest President Ever! Stand Back And Watch How Obama Does Things Republicans . . . Then You Too Can Learn How To Govern!

Good Choice Jones is pro-Troop support and pro-Healthcare for troops!

Poor CK… don't you think that you deserve good government? I'm very pleased with the skilful team Obama seems to be building.

Hey CK,

Change comes in the form of policies not peolple you idiot!

Some ask if us who voted for Obama feel hoodwinked yet. 1st of all…Hell No!!! He hasn't taken office and people are scrutizing every move he makes because they want to see him fail. His choices have been great thus far and he's continuing to impress. The thing that needs to be done here is…If you voted for McCain you should sit back and enjoy the ride right now. His policies haven't been put into effect yet. Only the people are being positioned around him. We have to wait and see how a lot of this turns out before we can say anything.

But for the record…We lived through 8 years of the worst President on record. for all of you who didn't want Obama to be elected…None of you should even have a speaking voice right now! It's because of people like you, who put bush into office, that we even need to dig our way out. McCain was not it!!

Although I too voted for President-elect Obama hoping for radical change in the wake of the Bush/Chaney/Rove disaster and went through the same feelings of "more of the same" expressed on the recent blogs, I was heartened by an interview I saw last night with Malcolm Gladwell on Rachel Maddow's show on MSNBC. He had some very compelling arguments for selecting people to serve on the Obama team and I would encourage everyone to watch that segment or read his book Outliers. Unfortunately while many have a rather sour taste left from some of the Clinton-era problems, understanding that the pool of qualified people to work at that level of government is pretty small is critical. You have all the people that worked in the Bush White House for the last eight years, okay, no! And then you have the folks who worked in the Clinton White House with eight years more experience. How about we see what they can do with a captain at the helm like Obama.

ck – you are so right.! After all the man only has four decades of military service and served as the operational commander of NATO for several years. What could Obama be thinking?

Maybe he's thinking the right man for the right job.

Maybe you should think before you post!

ck: this article doesnt say he was a Clintonista…he had a military career for 40 years and served with NATO.

BTW: Daschle isn't a Clintonista either; they just served their terms together, and were at odds often, as I recall.

It would be difficult I would think to find a post-pubescent political appointment that isnt in some way tied or has some relationship to the Clintons…they were kind of 'it' for the past 20 years or so.

Oh well, its nice to see the Far Left and the Conservative base agreeing on something.

The EXACT same people who whined about Obama not being experienced are the ones whining about him surrounding himself with experienced advisors. I think you're just a bunch of whiners.

sounds like Obama is picking strong individuals that will carry out his policy which by the way is the CHANGE. If you are expecting an overnight success story in getting out of this mess. You will sorely be disappointed. I don't think other than FDR has a new in coming president inherited such an economic disaster. I voted for Obama's message and policy. Who he brings in doesn't matter to me as long as he feel comfortable with them. Hoodwinked? Far from it.

As supporter of Hillary then McCain, I am now a full-fledged supporter of President-Elect Barack Obama as our 44th president. Sure, he'll make mistakes, but with the mandate he received, he'll certainly receive support in his wisdom to correct them. I just hope now that the biting partisan criticisms will subside so that we all can go about picking up the left-over pieces from a lack-luster previous administration.

the only folks who were never involved with the Clinton Administration are in their 20's or 70's… take your pick.

The markets response to Obama being elected is astounding, down close to 20% since November 5.

Change? We will all be asking for spare change before he's even in office.

Pres-Elect is trying to find those he feels will best serve his admin… so look at the people he is considering b4 you open your mouth! Jim Jones:
- In 2007, Jones served as Chairman of the Congressional Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq
-the former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
-Commander of the United States European Command
-served as the 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps
-currently the Chairman of the Atlantic Council of the United States.

He is a qualified person. He is smart as hell. He is NOT some partisan hack. This is a good choice. We need a experienced and capable people in these positions.

We don't need loud mouth idiots trying to blame the new administration before it even gets into office.

Obama beat Hillary handily; contrary to the MSM, she was out of the running for months before she conceded. Obama beat the pants off of McCain. Get over it!

I'm sick of people thinking the either of the other two LOSERS would have made a better choice. The elections are over, so get past your partisan, racist, ignorant high horse and take a few moments to LOOK at the people the Pres-Elect is considering before you open your mouth.

@ ck—I have no reason to feel hoodwinked. Obama is doing exactly what I wanted him to do. He is putting successful and competent people around him that will do what is best for our country. That is a great change from our current President, and the change I sought in this election.

I can't imagine why he would have been even thought of for Energy Secretary where his experience has been decades in the military. I would like to see Bill Richardson for Energy (since he held that position before).

I love the idea as Hillary for SOS. Holder is going to be more of a problem than Hillary. He made some really questionable calls during his time as Deputy Att. Gen. (Marc Rich, Gonzalez, terrorists given pardon).

Not that we see Obama's cabinet 1/2 full of lobbists and 3/4 full of Clintonians it's pretty clear that his vetting processes had very low standards. Already a complete betrayal of the American people's vote for change.

Obama is doing a fantastic job!!! It has been noted by many news media that this is the fastest transition in modern history. Obama is CHANGE from the Bush administration and ALL his appointments show it–intellegence, intellegence and more intellegence!!! Thank you America for electing Obama and Biden!!! I finally sleep sooo much better at night!!! And this from a former 40 year long republican!

ck- yes. somewhat.

ck, If I recall correctly, we had 8 straight years of peace and prosperity under The Clintons, who left office with the sweet taste of a financial surplus in our mouths. If that is "nonsense" give me all you've got.

ROF and L about the Bush years, ck.

bill richardson and wesley clark have just reported that the tire pressure is fine under the bus.

Sounds good, Obama's doing a good job. Press on, we're with you.

I like what I see from the "leaks" about Obama's appointments. Keep in mind though, that NONE of this is official yet, and whoever leaks could have their own motives. If these picks stand though, I am impressed with the mix of the new and old guard and everyone of these picks' experience and COMPETENCE. This will be a breath of fresh air from the Bush days!

So many people are bashing President-Elect Obama and he hasn't even gotten into the Oval Office yet……. What in the Yell is going on. You-all have waisted 2 votes on Bush and look what he's done to the United States of America and Chaney, Rummy, Swartskoff, McCain and Palin. They've run the USA into the toilet and you-all are going on a ramp about a man that is not even the President of The United States of America yet. You don't know what Good is is going to do. I believe that he is going to bring us out of the Doo Doo that we are in and get out Economy back on track. Give him A CHANCE!

Get on board the train is leaving the station!!!

HA! Between all the blabber about koolaid from both sides during the election, then a CNN special on Jonestown…this couldn't be funnier…

What is President Elect Obama going to do about Gov. Richardson, Is he going to place him in an Administrative Office Posiion? I think that Secretary of State would be a great place for him and he should place Hillary in the Health and Human Services Department

Ironic. I thought Jim Jones was the one who prepared the Kool-Aid, not the one who drank the Kool-Aid.

Well at least they both like Kool-Aid.

The Obama team is a sieve. They couldn't keep their mouth shut if our lives depended on it. Oh wait, our lives do depend on it.

Change you can be ashamed of.

All you dittoheads whining about old Clinton appointees.

Do you think there is a parallel universe out there with a whole set of qualified Democrats??

Of course, they will mostly be Clinton appointed Democrats since Clinton was the last Democratic president.

I certainly do not want newbie governors attempting to dig us out of the ditch.

Day by day it's getting more and more a Clintonlike gov.
A lack of talented people elsewhere?

I don't feel hoodwinked in the least. Obama has always said he wanted to pick intelligent, qualified people to work in his Adm, people that would not be yes men, but challenge him and not all of them would be Dems. Now is not the time to put College buddies in positions of power. I'm fine with Obama's picks as of right now, but I'm sure that other than the White House staff, they still need to be confirmed.

The corect name is James Jones. Maybe he wants to be called Jim now. I know this because he was my Marine Corps Commandant.

To all the people whining about the change issue: Obama ran on change meaning change from the horrible last 8 years under Bush/Cheney/Rove and friends. Remember the Clinton years…no deficit..no war…a strong economy! Obama is picking the best and smartest for his cabinet. Whether or not they worked during the Clinton administration is not a factor.

All right, NO KOOLADE JOKES!! Or I'll remind you what 'bush' is slang for.

@ CK, NO, I am not, 'hoodwinked'. President-elect Obama is clearly one of the most intelligent presidents in modern times. All you have to do is look at the way he ran his campaign! Compare to the mayhem, disorganized, back-biting, VILE, McCain campaign. OBAMA's was brilliant!

People, need to THINK, instead of listening to the AM radio-hate-and-fear-mongers!

CHANGE is NOT getting rid of the Clintons, it IS CHANGING the way our President governs!

Of course, I know that the far-right-haters & the closed minded will NEVER SEE the brilliance, wisdom nor strengths of President-elect Obama, you people are too narrow minded to admit you are wrong!

change means anyone not connected to treasonous warmongers and neocons.CK,the fifteen year old blogger and fan of Rush Limbaugh will never get it.He should be totally ignored.He uses many names but its easy to tell who he is by the hate and sound bites he or she uses over and over.

I like the team that Barack Obama is building. All of those chosen will push back, which Obama likes and encourages. Strong, intelligent leaders, are not afraid to have strong, intelligent members on their advisory team and in cabinet posts.

Sounds like he would be a sound choice for Obama's Staff and Obama to pick for this position.

I would like to know if he is a Progressive and this goes for all Obama Picks .

Does anyone know ?

more nonsense from the Clintons

DOES NOT = CHANGE!!

Are the Obamites feeling hoodwinked yet????

ROFL
———————————————————————————————–
Ya'll dude lost please stop making this fake argument that Obama is not bringing change. You bring change about through POLICY!!!! okay. I'm sorry he is not bringing in newbies which ya'll (Republicans) would complain about anyway. Its a stupid argument eveytime I see the comment stating "Well I guess Obamabots are feeling stupid now". No whats stupid is the Republican party that believes in human mascots (Joe the plumber, Tito the builder) and token VPs ala Sarah Palin and try to sell that to the American public. Hate Obama all you want but when his administration starts turning things around for the better you and your family will benefit also. Closed minded + Hypocritical + Stubborn + Twisted Logic + Selfish = Today's Republican

General Jones appears to be a wise choice.

We are behind you Mr. President-Elect; we'll simply ignore the likes of ck and others like him/her.

Why does CNN continue to circulate rumours when in the srticle it states " no final decision" has been made. This constant supposition and nameless sources is doing a great disservice to the transition , the people involved and the mood of the electorate as a whole.

All the naysayers should take the time to read the final paragraph. Appears Jones fits into Obama's plans, policies and promises.

I, too, would love to see Hagel brought on board in some capacity.
As far as feeling "hoodwinked", not at all. I'd much rather see him picking people with relevant experience for his cabinet positions, especially those that served in a time such as the Clinton era (which was prosperous). Could you even imagine the pool from which McCain would be pulling cabinet members? There's a ROFL for you right there.

I agree with williefloyd. Change comes in many forms…I think we need to back up and let President elect Obama choose his staff.

If this report is accurate, sounds like a good pick to me. The only thing which concerns me is this notion of "how much power he will have since he is accustomed of being in a command role". There is and should only be ONE COMMANDER IN CHIEF. So I am a little bit puzzled as to what power he wants?

Lets just run this down for all the liberals out there.

Clinton gave us….forced subprime lending, the dot com bust, and a bunch of feel good legislation that did nothing to reduce crime, address poverty or address the failing education system. He also RAISED taxes on just about everyone.

Now we are seeing the same policy advisors and cabinet members that worked in the Clinton Administration recycled into an Obama administration.

I am still left wondering what change this guy was talking about. It obviously was not a change in the rampant partisanship and cronyism of Washington.

Finally an appropriate pick from Obama rather than just political paybacks

I'm loving this. Welcome to adult leadership. Kindergarden group is out. There is change in the air.

That's right Obama, surround yourself with positive and knowledgeable people. When you see that you can't trust them, give them the boot…..

Obama won the presidential election becasue he is the smartest guy ther is. The democrats tried to tell him to throw the kitchen sink on McCain but he did not do it. Now, these same guys are saying that this is not change.
Obama knows that his election will mean nothing is he does not deliver. The Republicans will be stalling his agenda so they can claim 4 years later he failed to deliver.
The only way he can deliver is to put people who know their way around Washington. In the last 20 years, there has only been 1 democratic president. Clinton. The only Democrats with washington experience worked for Clinton.
SO, LETS STOP WHINING AND WAIT FOR THE RESULTS. IN THE END, THE BUCK STOPS WITH HIM.

People should get used to the fact Obama is very intelligent and very strong willed so the people he has in his cabinet will have the experience but will also have to toe the line if plausible with the Obama directives.

To not go in the direction Obama believes is the right way they will have to provide plausible reasons why they should not as different ideas should help make good decision.

ck – what are you talking about? General Jones has 4 decades in the Marines. Just the kind of person to be national security advisor! He has nothing at all to do with Clinton, except maybe that he knows and respects her, as well as Secretary Gates.

Man! I am feeling good about this administration….

There is so much to fix, but it looks like we are getting the folks we need in there to fix it. What a relief after this long dark death march the neo-cons had us on.

I'd love to see Gates in this role and Hagel at Secretary of Defense. Gates has an intelligence background that we need somewhere in the administration after the failures of the Bush Intelligence service.

Do you think a Nat'l Security Advisor ought to be able to find Obama's aunt—the illegal immigrant who is living off taxpayer money in Public Housing even though she was deported 4 years ago–

Someone is hiding her in the U.S. This would be a good test for this guy because if he can't do that, maybe he's not so good.

Her presence in the U.S. is an affront to every legal immigrant in the U.S.

Hey Ck

I was hoodwinked during the last 8 years. Obama won the race fair and square and I am sure he has the judgement to put the right people in the right places to fix this mess. He hasn't even been sworn in yet, just let him do his thing. Also, we had a booming economy during the Clinton years. I am proud of my and YOUR President Elect.

Why people keep mentioning about Clinton's people?
Why can't they be Obama's people since they supported Obama?

From what I see, Obama and Clinton is one team.

Yeah ck, I feel hoodwinked. With so much professionalism being demonstrated by the Obama transition team, I guess I really made a big mistake by voting for BHO. Gosh darnit, I should have voted McCain-Palin, but I was just too infactuated with "The One" up through November 4th to realize that I was being fooled. Now I have to put up with this professionalism for the next four to eight years. Golly gee I'm starting to miss GW already – kind of like you are.

To ck,

You say picking people from the Clinton era isn't change… It's certainly change from the Bush era and what part of the Clinton era did you not like?

The peace or the prosperity?

hug your family…we are all in jeopardy

ck: Who would you like to see as National Security Adviser????? All of you that didn't vote for Obama are sure quick to be critical of his choice, but I don't see you coming up with any alternatives. If the pick has experience for the job, who cares if the person knows the Clintons . Jones is someone who knows the military, has been in command and is a former Marine. Good in my book !!!!

You can't change all the players, fool. You change the GAME. Why can't some of you wrap your minds around that?

President-Elect Obama is making very wise choices for his cabinet. He is not rushing into his decisions and this makes for a fantastic Administration. I can't wait to finally see CHANGE in the White House. It is long overdue. GO OBAMA/BIDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Certainly better than Bush cronies – Rice & Hadley

The team is coming along well. I look forward to watching this new administration get this country back on track.

Gen. Jim is a great, great choice.

Besides, he's well qualified for a pick-up game of basketball.

In a word-NO-I have no reason at this point in time to mistrust Obamas' judgement.
Some of you obviously do not understand "change" may come in several different forms.

The guy's name is Jim Jones? He needs to change his name before we appoint him.

Please Obama….

NO HILLARY AND NO MORE CLINTON PEOPLE!!

If i wanted Clinton i would have voted for her.

I want to see some respectful republicans and or independents on your staff…that's if there's any out there.

ck- it is still a change from the Bush cabinet that couldn't punch their way out of a paper bag. If these choices are the best and brightest, I don't care if they worked with Clinton or Bush for that matter, Sec. of Def. Gates wouldn't be the worst choice to stick around.

not at all I am very happy with all of the picks so far…i would like to see some repubs like Hagel though.

ck : NO

Imagine that, Obama picking someone with experience?!

Hasn't he learned that you have to pick a pure neophyte like Bush did when he foisted Condi Rice on us?!?!?!

Next thing you know, Obama will be picking all his cabinet personnel based on experience and knowledge!

more nonsense from the Clintons

DOES NOT = CHANGE!!

Are the Obamites feeling hoodwinked yet????

ROFL

Someone who knows the military and what is going on should be a good choice as long as his agenda is known. If everybody works well with him, Jones should be able to do some good on the job.