1115.org

Here’s an excerpt of an IM I had with my friend Adam on November 5, 2008, just one day after the elections:

adam: you think he is gonna go all centrist and mediocre shit up?

me: i know he is watch the cabinet.

adam: well what would happen if he went george bush and stocked it all with ultra liberals and tried to go too far left too fast.

me: i’d have to eat a lot of crow.

adam: and if it didnt work we’d just be in the same situation with people even more bitter and cynical about politics.

me: luckily that is not a possibility. but that’s not the point. there’s going to be like 4 or 5 republicans.

And of course, when Judd Gregg takes the seat at Commerce, joining Gates at Defense, Jones at National Security, and LaHood at Transportation, there will be four Republicans in Obama’s cabinet. Throw in Geithner at Treasury and top economic advisor Summers who may as well be Republicans. The nomination of Gregg though is particularly appalling he’s all-the-way conservative, voted to abolish the very department he’s slated to lead, and at Commerce will be responsible for overseeing the 2010 census, which in turn determines House apportionment. And Obama went ahead with Gregg even after it became clear that another Republican would hold his Senate seat despite the fact that New Hampshire has a Democratic Governor.

And of course, the lone liberal nominated by Obama is Hilda Solis at Labor who isn’t exactly enjoying the full weight of the White House after running into a roadblock in the Senate.

Since Obama is going well out of his way to elevate Republicans and shut out liberals, I’m having trouble remembering why it is important to have a Democrat in the White House. Is this what you people voted for?