Texan
Well-known member
How is the Obama 'team' going to "change" Washington if his 'team' consists of the same old people? :?
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More ex-Clinton officials tapped to join Obama team
By Richard Wolf, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama promised a change in policies on the campaign trail, but many of the people he's bringing into government have been here before — in the Clinton-Gore administration.
The latest example is prominent Washington lawyer Ron Klain, Vice President-elect Joe Biden's choice for chief of staff, Democratic officials told the Associated Press on Thursday. The officials disclosed Biden's selection on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly for Obama's transition team. Klain served under Al Gore in the same job a decade ago.
The selection follows Obama's first two personnel moves — naming John Podesta to head his transition office and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., as his White House chief of staff. Both men held high-ranking positions in Bill Clinton's White House. The six people leading transition efforts in the State, Defense and Treasury departments all served in some capacity under Clinton.
Democrats and Republicans lauded the moves as an indication that Obama would rely on experienced hands for advice. With only one Democratic administration in the past 28 years, "There are not many Democrats who have actually been there, done that," said Mike McCurry, who served as White House press secretary under Clinton.
It doesn't mean Obama's policies will mimic Clinton's, said Washington lawyer Benjamin Ginsberg, who advises Republicans. "I don't think for a second you can draw the conclusion that it's just going to be 'Clinton Part Two,' " he said.
Transition team spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Obama wants "a competent team that is diverse in many ways, including experience. Serving in high-level positions, whether in government, in the private sector or in public service, is seen as a positive."
Klain fits the mold of experienced Democratic hand. Before joining Gore, he was an associate counsel in the White House, chief of staff to Attorney General Janet Reno, chief counsel of the Senate Judiciary Committee under Biden and law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Byron White.
His role fighting for Gore during the 2000 presidential recount was re-enacted by Kevin Spacey in the HBO film Recount.
Biden and his wife, Jill, visited Vice President Cheney and his wife, Lynne, on Thursday at the Naval Observatory, home to vice presidents. There was no hint of animosity during the 50-minute visit, coming a month after Biden called Cheney "the most dangerous vice president" in U.S. history.
Emanuel and Klain have worked for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the mortgage companies taken over by the government this year after collapsing investments rendered them insolvent. Klain is a former partner in O'Melveny & Myers, where he lobbied for Fannie Mae.
The Obama transition team announced tough ethics rules this week that prohibit federal lobbyists from working on the transition in areas in which they lobbied during the past year. Job applicants are asked if they or close relatives have relationships with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
Steve Elmendorf, a lobbyist who helped manage Democrat John Kerry's campaign in 2004, said it's hard for Obama to avoid hiring lobbyists of any sort. "With the Republicans controlling the government for eight years, people had to make a living," he said.
Contributing: Fredreka Schouten
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-11-13-transition_N.htm
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If you REALLY want to "change" Washington, don't you have to change the people? :???:
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More ex-Clinton officials tapped to join Obama team
By Richard Wolf, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama promised a change in policies on the campaign trail, but many of the people he's bringing into government have been here before — in the Clinton-Gore administration.
The latest example is prominent Washington lawyer Ron Klain, Vice President-elect Joe Biden's choice for chief of staff, Democratic officials told the Associated Press on Thursday. The officials disclosed Biden's selection on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly for Obama's transition team. Klain served under Al Gore in the same job a decade ago.
The selection follows Obama's first two personnel moves — naming John Podesta to head his transition office and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., as his White House chief of staff. Both men held high-ranking positions in Bill Clinton's White House. The six people leading transition efforts in the State, Defense and Treasury departments all served in some capacity under Clinton.
Democrats and Republicans lauded the moves as an indication that Obama would rely on experienced hands for advice. With only one Democratic administration in the past 28 years, "There are not many Democrats who have actually been there, done that," said Mike McCurry, who served as White House press secretary under Clinton.
It doesn't mean Obama's policies will mimic Clinton's, said Washington lawyer Benjamin Ginsberg, who advises Republicans. "I don't think for a second you can draw the conclusion that it's just going to be 'Clinton Part Two,' " he said.
Transition team spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Obama wants "a competent team that is diverse in many ways, including experience. Serving in high-level positions, whether in government, in the private sector or in public service, is seen as a positive."
Klain fits the mold of experienced Democratic hand. Before joining Gore, he was an associate counsel in the White House, chief of staff to Attorney General Janet Reno, chief counsel of the Senate Judiciary Committee under Biden and law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Byron White.
His role fighting for Gore during the 2000 presidential recount was re-enacted by Kevin Spacey in the HBO film Recount.
Biden and his wife, Jill, visited Vice President Cheney and his wife, Lynne, on Thursday at the Naval Observatory, home to vice presidents. There was no hint of animosity during the 50-minute visit, coming a month after Biden called Cheney "the most dangerous vice president" in U.S. history.
Emanuel and Klain have worked for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the mortgage companies taken over by the government this year after collapsing investments rendered them insolvent. Klain is a former partner in O'Melveny & Myers, where he lobbied for Fannie Mae.
The Obama transition team announced tough ethics rules this week that prohibit federal lobbyists from working on the transition in areas in which they lobbied during the past year. Job applicants are asked if they or close relatives have relationships with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
Steve Elmendorf, a lobbyist who helped manage Democrat John Kerry's campaign in 2004, said it's hard for Obama to avoid hiring lobbyists of any sort. "With the Republicans controlling the government for eight years, people had to make a living," he said.
Contributing: Fredreka Schouten
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-11-13-transition_N.htm
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If you REALLY want to "change" Washington, don't you have to change the people? :???: