Comments on: Obama picks defense lobbyist as deputy defense secretary

By: Commentary on – Obama, Veterans of Foreign Wars speech 17th August, 2009 « Eschaton//Aesthetic

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:09:33 +0000

[...] love listening to lobbyists almost as much as I enjoy bailing out Goldmann Sachs and Citibank. Yes we [...]

By: mary in wi

mary in wi — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:37:31 +0000

People who base their comments on half the information available make half-witted statements. Hiring a highly competent individual who happened to be a lobbyist at one point in his/her life isn't selling out to lobbyists. If PE BHO had asked lobbyists for their advice there would be room for complaint. Unfortunately there's a crowd for whom it's more rewarding to spew than to think.

By: Obama, first non-US citizen President!

Obama, first non-US citizen President! — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:17:27 +0000

For the one in California....

President Bush = Country safe for 8 years, and 1.2 trillion dollar debt
President Elect Obama = Not in office yet, 1.2 trillion dollar stimulus....(yep, not even in office yet and he is costing us more money. Thanks to all you dumb liberal democrats that believed this guy was your saviour!

By: Obama, first non-US citizen President!

Obama, first non-US citizen President! — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:13:54 +0000

I love how all the Obama-saviorites want to throw the article in our face about how Gates interviewed them. The choice is still Obama's and he hired a lobbyist. Raytheon is HUGE in military contracts....well, just what just got bigger. Gates was hired by a Republican, and Obama followed. Yep, change we can believe in. We get to change from 2009 to 1993 with Clinton back in office.

By: Edward

Edward — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:59:23 +0000

I'm just thankful we have all those Clinton Administration graduates. They know what they're doing, even if this clown doesn't. -------------------------------------------------------- Are you sure about that? He's the one nominating them. All you people who are saying that you're glad you didn't vote for change sure don't mind having voted for the worst president in US history. Take your advice? I'd be crazy to.

By: Edward

Edward — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:54:38 +0000

Sorry but you don't play games with national security, Obama can hire whoever he feels will do the best job.

By: tk in IL

tk in IL — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:32:41 +0000

For the people out there attempting to shift the responsibility of this obvious deviation from the "No lobbyist in my administration" campaign rehtoric, to Gates who interviewed and made the candidate's recommendation, your are feebly trying to still believe in Obama. It doesn't matter WHO makes the recommendation, it still Obama's decision....hence it is Obama who is soley responsible for broken promises......which is absolutely no surprise since the guy has never had an original thought in his mind in the first place. This is just a rerun of the Clinton administration and for the record I did actually vote for Clinton, never voted for Bush in either election, but did not buy one word of this guy's promises to break from the Chicago political game. I live here in Chicagoland and I knew better than to believe it.

By: Unreadable

Unreadable — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:28:53 +0000

Well, if they knew everyone would know he's a lobbyist and they still picked him, that means his merits (expertise, etc.) outweighed all that. So those merits must be huge. Who knows, maybe they are, we'll see.

And as far as Republicans raising stink about this - well, everyone knows that, as far as Republicans are concerned, only Mark Foley qualifies to protect children and only David Duke qualifies to be their Senate candidate. So who should talk.

By: Eugene

Eugene — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:26:43 +0000

Hey, let's go easy here. Lobbyists stay away.

By: No Incumbents 2010

No Incumbents 2010 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:18:20 +0000

But don't worry I had my VW converted into a hybrid.

By: No Incumbents 2010

No Incumbents 2010 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:17:05 +0000

It doesn't matter. Remember, Obama will speak to all the people who hate us and we will not need any defense. Fore love will abound throughout the world.

Now I must leave and tye dye some shirts and get an oil change in my VW van.

By: republican in nc

republican in nc — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:15:47 +0000

To " A woman in CA for obama" What could possible be more important than the security of our country

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:08:20 +0000

Buyer's remorse anyone?

By: Proud American

Proud American — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:59:48 +0000

Great pick Mr. President.

By: Proud American

Proud American — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:58:52 +0000

TCM January 8th, 2009 10:12 pm ET

haha…so, he's not going to tolerate lobbyists…huh? I gues he didn't mention he'd hire one!
__________________________________________________
And were not going tolerate Idiots. Move on I think bush needs some help packing. lololololol

By: SANTE

SANTE — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:52:36 +0000

I always new that he / Obama/ is fake!!!!
But how much fake, I still do not know!

By: Reg

Reg — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:39:20 +0000

Puff what are u smokin! Wow we are scared of you man!
You wish the dummy was back? Hopefully Daschle will get
confirmed cuz he supports more mental health facilities in rural
areas thru-out the Country.

You'll have an opportunity to get well soon!

By: Will18E

Will18E — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:38:34 +0000

the gop'ers need to take a chill pill.
W ran as a "Washington outsider " in 2000, and then made many appointments to defense to include secretary of the Army from the ranks of Enron.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:37:25 +0000

TO:A woman in California For Obama

January 8th, 2009 8:09 pm ET

Well, here come the republicans. If all you can say day after day is Bush kept us safe for seven years-then you need to shut up. I'm sure after JUST four (4) years Obama supporters will be able to say Obama and his staff did much more good than that. Go ahead and criticize this move it doesn't change my opinion any.

Nothing other than your family member or you being injured or killed by a terrorist,like the thousands in New York on 9/11,will change your biased ,selfish opinion about "Bush kept us safe for seven years"

By: Fed up before it starts

Fed up before it starts — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:29:51 +0000

Obama – Change – please. The snake oil salesman.

First he essentially reinstates Clinton's entire staff. That's fine with me, but hardly change for the Obama cultists. For all his talk, Obama really does lack imagination.

And now a fox in the chicken coop. I love this. Obama attacked McCain for having lobbyists on his campaign team. Obama makes McCain look like a Boy Scout leader!

I'm just thankful we have all those Clinton Administration graduates. They know what they're doing, even if this clown doesn't.

And they'll watch the former lobbyist like a group of savvy hawks!

By: Ken Benedict

Ken Benedict — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:27:06 +0000

Looks to me like some Dumbocrats are beginning to see the light.

By: Matt from NYC

Matt from NYC — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:24:39 +0000

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Oh, if this isn't wonderful. He hasn't taken the oath of office and he's already going back on his word. And he should. His word was moronic. Who cares if this guy was a lobbyist if hes the best for the job? Obama's whole campaign was built on insane promises and hand waving trickery, it's nice to see he's not a total fool (even if it makes him a hypocrite).

By: alvino

alvino — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:15:22 +0000

'Puff' and 'empty heads' should have read the entire article. But that would not have been like them. Unlike the "Decider" not listening to advice, Obama took the recommendation of Gates. The choice of following the advice of Hannity or of Gates would be a no brainer to everyone but Puff.

By: TCM

TCM — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:13:46 +0000

Franklin in SC January 8th, 2009 8:30 pm ET

Probably the only liberal he could find with experience in national defense.

haha- good one!

By: TCM

TCM — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:12:44 +0000

haha...so, he's not going to tolerate lobbyists...huh? I gues he didn't mention he'd hire one!

By: carol

carol — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:12:37 +0000

I have great faith in PE Obama's choices, only he knows who is really qualified for these positions and he feels they can do a good job...he knows we will be watching and expect nothing less than honest government.

By: Susie

Susie — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:05:28 +0000

I don't like this choice at all. I don't care how qualified he is, he has a huge conflict of interest.

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:02:12 +0000

Hey! Let's lessen the influence of lobbyists on government. Let's hire them instead!
- Barack

By: legal in nc

legal in nc — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:00:14 +0000

No suprise to those us that didn't believe the hype of change and hope!

Imagine if a republican would have selected a lobbyists how the liberals would be screaming and crying.

This confirms that those that believed the hype have been used by the "magic" one to continue politics as usual. NO CHANGE HERE!

Enjoy it as your hope for 8 years just went to 4 years!!!!!

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:59:59 +0000

I often wonder why all these Clinton people. Are there are no other qualified people out there other than the people from the Clinton Administration? I am really disappointed.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:55:00 +0000

"Obama, who campaigned on lessening the influence of lobbyists in government, has chosen a defense expert who is currently a vice president and lobbyist for one of the country's biggest defense contractors to be his deputy secretary of defense." He's not even in office yet and he's back tracking on his campaign promises. I think Obama needs to create an Apologist cabinet post for his administration so to explain away his Changes or lack of Change

By: Annie the Democrat

Annie the Democrat — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:49:55 +0000

I have been behind all of President Elect Obamas picks .....until this one.

This guy has a HUGE conflict of interest!

We've already had one Cheney..........so lets not make the same mistake twice.

By: 12 More Days

12 More Days — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:44:04 +0000

Read the final paragraph you naysayers...the HE in the paragraph is Defence Minister Robert Gates....who interviewed all the people in the article and RECOMMENDED PE Obama hire them.

As usual CNN an inflammatory headline whicch doesn't truly reflect the contents of the article.

By: empty heads voted for an empty vessel

empty heads voted for an empty vessel — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:43:11 +0000

Come on libs, time to hop on and explain away your hero and his latest HORRIBLE pick (see Panetta, Richardson, Holder) as I thought he hated Lobbyists, ooooooops.

Change was and is a slogan to sway the college aged "children" who fell for that phony as all hell mantra.

These same geniuses are the ones that in exit polls did not know who the Secretary of state or the Speaker of the house or incredibly, who William Ayers was, how to stay up on what's important.

But he speaks so nice (ONLY with a binkyprompter, please Google – Obama – teleprompter – Asthma – Gaffe and have a good look at Mr. Speaker in chief).

Imploding before even taking office, and EVEN Democrats are hammering him on taxes, his picks, his lack of details.

Get ready to defend at all costs in 1,2,3

By: Nick - West Hills (L.A.), CA

Nick - West Hills (L.A.), CA — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:33:40 +0000

UGH! Is K Street getting to him already?

Please, keep your promise and send all lobbyists away somewhere. They made enough $$$ under W.

By: tess

tess — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:32:57 +0000

boy am i glad i didn't vote for change because if i had i would really be mad. this is just l992 clinton repeat! ya'll might as well have elected bill clinton again, all the gang is back. the next four years are going to be fun to watch as the sleeze starts up and the fighting for control heats up. obama will rue the day he let all the clinonistas in his cabinet – they are all out to be sure he is ruined so hillary can run and beat him in 2012. it's good enough for the dems – destroy each other and we will pick up the pieces in 2010!!!

By: 12 Days To Go

12 Days To Go — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:32:32 +0000

Do you people not read or do you just react with the same negative refrain with every blog?

Gates "interviewed each of them" was impressed with their character, professional credentials and recommended PE Obama hire them".

I realize that key information is in the final paragraph to incite you people but the article isn't really that long.

By: amt

amt — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:31:26 +0000

sounds like he has the expert experience Obama wants & needs, I have confidence in Obama to make the right choice, he has put together a strong cabinet & I am satisified with all his picks, hopefully he will be able to get something done that is long over due.

By: Dem in Hawaii

Dem in Hawaii — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:30:14 +0000

So this is the change we can believe in. What a loser!!! Let's bring in new people with new ideas, I thought was what was preached during the campaign.

By: Puff

Puff — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:30:13 +0000

If everyone would have listened to Sean Hannity, this clown would never have gotten elected. He warned about the Chicago connection and devious Chicago politics. But I guess the hope dope was too strong.
Now he is going against all of his stupid rhetoric that you people ate right out of his hand. I guess the joke is on you. Four years of this guy will drive this country into the ground.
Hope and change oh yeah here it comes.
I was never a fan of George Bush but I wish we had him back.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:28:14 +0000

I noticed that the Obama supporters are notably absent from this forum. I wonder why.

"Change has come to America."

Sure thing BHO.

By: S Callahan

S Callahan — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:23:28 +0000

Seriously, I'm beginning to wonder if PE Obama is really the 'one' picking ... you know he did have a boys club meeting yesterday....lol....this seems so contrary to what he spoke of...surprises me...
What's the explanation?

By: From PA

From PA — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:17:51 +0000

this is a man of his worlds....yep...not politics as usual...dont want to be labeled racist by saying anything else....

By: chris

chris — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:15:51 +0000

This disappoints me. I strongly supported Obama in the election but this is the kind of thing he campaigned against. He does need to put people in with experience and unfortunately the only ones who are the most qualified in reality are often lobbyists or those of former administrations.

By: libs be dopes

libs be dopes — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:11:31 +0000

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH YES!

Change you can believe in!

By: glenn

glenn — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:08:34 +0000

For all you haters, you can't say anything because he already mooted your coming points. He picked a HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND BI-PARTISAN RECOMMENDED person. Obama wins and you all lose. HAHAHA

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:55:08 +0000

This is just getting to be"TOO FUNNY"--So far, Obama has brought back the Clinton people,Chicago Democratic Machine,lobbyist,and left wing extremist to his "CHANGE" administration.

The jokes on us.

By: Fitzy

Fitzy — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:54:32 +0000

Change??? What a bunch of morons! There will be a lot of brown envelopes changing hands.

By: EVOLVE

EVOLVE — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:50:52 +0000

GO OBAMA!! WE THE PEOPLE SUPPORT YOU!!

By: Reg

Reg — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:49:47 +0000

Mr.President elect has his blind ambition in full force. However he
has limited chioces due to the "system"! The loyal opposition will
be a thorn in his side no matter what he does!

Kissin their behinds won't work either! Lynn former lobbyist is part
of the "system" but K-Street over the past 9 yrs has mostly allowed
only republican lobbyist. So the lobby system is rigged from the get!

I'm alittle concerned that Mr. President elect is not practicing what
he's preachin about a "Change of Attitudes" awhile keeping folks
in his Adminstration who are & were the perpetual gatekeepers
of our current HELL. Don't have to be from Harvard to know this!

We'll be watching closely!