Obama’s Cabinet

Republicans demand broader powers for Obama justice department

December 4, 2010 // 2 Comments

You know the Republicans have lost their way when they vigorously argue in favor of something they warned against just two years ago. Remember hearing conservatives insist that Obama was going to revive the Fairness Doctrine as part of his Marxist [...]

BP’s mess, Obama’s country

May 24, 2010 // 0 Comments

“This is a BP mess,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said at a news conference with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal and several U.S. senators. “It is a horrible mess. It is a massive and [...]

pegging obama

December 26, 2009 // 3 Comments

NYT columnist Ross Douthat understands what most of Obama’s critics, left and right, fail to grasp. Both right and left have had trouble processing Obama’s institutionalism. Conservatives have exaggerated his liberal instincts into [...]

an opportunity for conservatives to say something positive about obama

December 21, 2009 // 1 Comment

They should be encouraged by the words of Barack Obama’s education secretary. Not bloody likely. In deciding how to spend Race to the Top dollars, Duncan wants to reward programs that don’t see a child’s poverty as insurmountable, and that [...]

the left vs. obama

December 23, 2008 // 2 Comments

With the ship of state headed for one mother of an iceberg, is now the time to be worrying about the race, gender and sexual identity of those steering the barge? I’d be troubled if the president-elect overlooked obviously qualified candidates [...]

the cabinet pick that will say the most about obama

December 5, 2008 // 0 Comments

A: Education secretary. Will the next president opt for a reformer or stick with the failed establishment? David Brooks analyzes the field. (Where America ranks) UPDATE: Heard former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes mentioned as a possible education [...]

hillary for state

November 22, 2008 // 2 Comments

I’m trying to find reasons to oppose Hillary’s new assignment, but it’s no use. She’s tough and she’s smart. The world’s a dirty place, and Hillary’s willing to get in the mud. She’s one-half of the [...]

why can’t we get a decent attorney general?

November 18, 2008 // 7 Comments

Of late, nothing but fuck-ups, suck-ups, prudes and enablers: *Janet Reno. One word: Waco *John Ashcroft. Embarrassed by nude statues *Alberto Gonzalez. Lied before Congress; made Ashcroft look good in comparison And now, Eric Holder, who looked the [...]

the pundit class

November 17, 2008 // 3 Comments

They really do think alike. Two examples: Issue: Hillary for Secretary of State The consensus: It’s reminiscent of Lincoln, who appointed a “team of rivals” to his Cabinet. (Pundits like to appear well-read and well-versed in [...]

no to richardson

November 14, 2008 // 1 Comment

Bill Richardson — a top contender for U.S. Secretary of State — is well-liked and generally moderate. And, for the diversity-minded, he’s part-Hispanic. He’s also part-incompetent. Remember Los [...]