So Far, I’m Satisfied with Obama’s Appointments
I’m one of those Americans sometimes characterized as “center right,” but my “rightness” tends to be more of a libertarian tinge than a desire to control my neighbors’ worship patterns or sexual choices, so I am obviously not “right” in the way some current Republican-right blatherers would like me to be. Whatever. Ideological leanings aside, one thing I expect from my federal government — and have not gotten during the Bush years — is competence. I want a government that can handle the common defense, maintain the Interstate Highway system, react swiftly and efficiently to natural disasters such as hurricanes, and generally take care of its business in an intelligent manner. And so far, it looks as if Barack Obama is choosing cabinet members and other advisors who are capable of doing this.
In my checkered career as an editor and as a manager in non-media businesses, I have learned that finding and retaining employees smarter than I am is the key to having a smooth operation. Okay, maybe not necessarily smarter, but at least more skilled than I am in the operation of the areas they are expected to run. Obama has apparently learned this same lesson. He’s wisely retaining a highly competent Secretary of Defense originally appointed by George W. Bush. I neither know nor care what Mr. Gates believes about abortion or bank regulation. His job is to run the Department of Defense, and he’s good at it.
Hillary Clinton may not be every American’s favorite person, but she knows as much about foreign affairs as anyone, and more than most. She’s world-famous, which may be an advantage when dealing with egotists like Venezuala’s little dictator, and we know damn well she can stand up to criticism and even villification, which is (sadly) part of an American Secretary of State’s job. Some people use the word “bitch” to describe her. Fine with me. Who do you want dealing with Putin on our behalf? A sweetness-and-light pushover or someone who is willing to give as good as she gets, and then some? The Secretary of State is America’s foreign policy guard dog. I am happy to have one who can growl when necessary. “Bitch” in this case is a compliment, not a knock. Welcome to the cabinet, Ms. Clinton. I think you’ll do just fine — even though Osama bin Laden, Rush Limbaugh, Bernard Putin, and Kim Jong Il will probably have many, many bad things to say about you in coming years.
James L. Jones is a fine choice as National Security Advisor. I have no idea what he believes about prayer in schools. But he’s one hell of a soldier and a military leader, and that’s what counts here. Obama is light on national security credentials. Gen Jones is a major heavyweight in this area. I’m glad to see him on our country’s leadership team.
The point here is that even if Bush really meant all that yammer about “compassionate conservatism,” he ran a team that couldn’t deliver. Obama may be a little more of an ideological shape-shifter than some people (especially hard-core liberals) like, but it looks like his leadership team will be able to carry out his plans both competently and forcefully. And that’s what *really counts* when it comes to running our huge and often inefficient federal bureaucracy.