Barack Obama’s change into Hillary

President-elect Barack Obama promised change. And to ensure the promise upon which he campaigned across America, he is enlisting some familiar names all connected to the Clintons. The change from Bush family operatives in the executive branch to Clinton family operatives most certainly fulfills Obama’s assurances of change in the White House structure. I just didn’t know it would be a change back to a bygone era. Such a backwards step indicates a continuance of Bush-Clinton policies in the Middle East … and in particular, Iraq.

In addition to the recruiting of select stars from Bill Clinton’s former team, Obama is leaving in position Defense Secretary Robert Gates (a former CIA Chief and Bush replacement for Rumsfeld) for an interim time period. Gates is overseeing the machinations in the Middle East that have escaped the scope of much of American media: Kurdistan, Oil Contracts, Military outposts in northern Iraq, plans for military occupation to 2020 in northern Iraq, ongoing war in Pakistan, augmented war in Afghanistan and targeting of Syria and Iran.

If you will recall, when George H. Bush left office, he had invaded Iraq and pulled back ground troops. But he retained Air Force and Navy air force domination over Iraqi skies. Clinton continued the military domination of Iraq by bombing that nation every year of his presidency. He then turned it over to Bush’s son, Dubya, who augmented U.S. military operations in Iraq with his ironically titled mission, “Operation Enduring Freedom.” The U.S. military has not left Iraq since our invasion in 1991. The retaining of Robert gates as Defense Secretary for even a second longer assures a continuance of that policy.

The old Clinton team is making a comeback with new head coach, Barack Obama. Let’s take a look at the starting lineup:

Hillary Clinton

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has an open door to become secretary of state, if she chooses to fill the position. As usual, Hillary has taken a unique approach in waiting to be asked, then reserving the open position while she strategizes about ulterior motives and options. The rest of us will just twiddle our thumbs and wait for her to determine what she wants to do. Since we don’t know what other options are available, it’s tough to envision what she’s doing. But if there’s any opportunity for her to take the top seat, as in the Oval Office, I’m betting that’s where the discussion behind tightly shut doors is focused.

Rahm Emmanuel

Rahm Emmanuel is Obama’s Chief of Staff. Emanuel was Clinton’s campaign finance committee director during Clinton’s run for the White House as governor of Arkansas. Emmanuel became a senior advisor to Clinton at the White House from 1993 to 1998. Emanuel was initially Assistant to the President for Political Affairs and then Senior Advisor to the President for Policy and Strategy. He was a leading strategist in the Clnton efforts to institute universal health care.

Timothy Geithner

Timothy Geithner is Obama’s choice for Treasury Secretary. Geithner (pronounced GITE-ner) served as a Treasury Department official during the Clinton administration. He is the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Lawrence Summers

Lawrence Summers is expected to direct Obama’s National Economic Council. Summers was a former Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton.

Eric Holder

Obama’s choice for attorney general is Eric Holder. He held the No. 2 slot in the Justice Department in President Bill Clinton’s administration.

Bill Richardson

Officials said New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is as a likely choice for Commerce Secretary. In 1997, Clinton appointed Richardson as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The Senate confirmed Richardson to be Clinton’s Secretary of Energy on July 31, 1998.

James Steinberg

James Steinberg, an Obama campaign aide who served in Clinton’s White House, is a possibility for National Security Advisor, according to officials.

Janet Napolitano

Janet Napolitano is the top choice for heading the Office of Homeland Security. In 1993, Napolitano was appointed by President Bill Clinton as United States attorney for the District of Arizona.

John Podesta

Obama’s transition adviser, John Podesta, is a former Clinton White House chief of staff who runs a think tank called Center for American Progress.

Tom Daschle

Podesta advised the appointment of former South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle, who is a senior fellow at the organization directed by Podesta. Daschle is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is on the advisory board of British Petroleum, (BP America).

Posted on November 22nd, 2008 by MikeGreen
Filed under: Election 2008, thebook

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