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Nov 27 2008

Obama Not Swapping Horses Midstream?

Published by tisglorious at 3:18 am under politics Edit This

Barack Obama’s affection for Abraham Lincoln has risen as a popular talking point of the 2008 election. To continue in that vein…

Barack Obama will not be switching horses midstream. It was the very same Mr. Abraham Lincoln who coined the phrase while running for reelection in 1864, when speaking on why the people should reelect him, during a time of war. Taking up a friendly metaphor, he basically let his constituents know how he felt about a revolutionary change, in the midst of a bloody war that no one knew would end.

Reporters came out this week that Obama will tap Defense Secretary Robert Gates to remain on as Secretary of Defense. Most reports peg that continued presence as expected to last perhaps a year, as an elongated transition period, as Obama becomes President while the country is still involved in two wars. This announcement by sources near the President-Elect should not come as a shocker, as pundits have been suggesting the validity of such a move for some time.

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3 Responses to “Obama Not Swapping Horses Midstream?”

  1. # cgardeneron 27 Nov 2008 at 8:00 am edit this

    That’s just common sense. I’m sure he will appoint a deputy that will be trained by Gates and take over as soon as possible, but hey, ANYBODY is better than Rumsfeld!

  2. # MplsValaon 30 Nov 2008 at 2:38 pm edit this

    While some progressives are bitterly disappointed, it seems like a good move to me. Gates has the best grasp at the moment of what the situation actually is. If he can’t follow Obama’s direction change, there’ll be time enough to replace him them. If he can, we need the continuity. I’ve been really pleased with his appointments. I’m okay with keeping Repubs in the Cabinet if they are interested in signing on for the new approach. Obama is in little danger of being overshadowed no matter how powerful the individuals he selects. In fact, the more wattage, the better. We’re going to need all we’ve got to fix this mess.

  3. # rwahrenson 09 Dec 2008 at 6:47 pm edit this

    Agreed. He DID promise to reach across the isle, did he not? This is proof that he wasn’t kidding.

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