Sunday, November 9, 2008

Change We Can Smack Republicans Over The Head With

Obama Transition Team head John Podesta went on FOX(!) today to lay it out for the Republicans: We're in yer White House repealin' yer executive orders.
President-elect Obama will review all the executive orders issued by President Bush to determine which ones should be repealed, said his transition chief John Podesta.

When asked by Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday what some of Obama's first decisions might be to prove his dedication to changing Washington, Podesta said Obama would probably overturn the ban on stem cell research as well as orders concerning healthcare and energy transformation.

"There's a lot the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for congressional action and I think we'll see the president do that," Podesta said.

He also said Obama has won a "real mandate for change" with Tuesday's election.

The high voter turnout and landslide electoral college victory spell a clear path of American support for Obama's message of political reform, Podesta said.

He told Wallace the transition team is "moving aggressively to try to build out that core economic team, the national security team."

"I think his charge to us is that he wants a broad diverse cabinet, one that's built on first criteria excellence," Podesta said.

In the battle of political philosophies during this election, the progressive philosophy won, he said.

"It sort of got extinguished in the Republican Party over the course of the last couple decades," Podesta said. "But I think that progressive vision of providing opportunity for people that work hard, providing for the common good... was what he [Obama] laid before the American people."
Podesta's message is crystal clear: the federal government is under new management, and there will be some serious changes.

Most likely this isn't going to sit well with the Republicans. Progressive became a filthy four-letter word over the last 8 years. Obama looks to want to restore the word and the philosophy behind it.

This is a good sign. Podesta's drawing a thick, red line and daring Republicans to cross it after eight years of Bush doing whatever he wanted.

Obama Has Nothing To Worry About In 2012

Bold statement, I know. But if the GOP honestly follows the advice of Robert Novak, Barry's got re-election in the bag. It's not Sarah Palin he wants to see...it's Newt Gingrich.
In serious conversations among Republicans since their election debacle Tuesday, what name is mentioned most often as the Moses, or Reagan, who could lead them out of the wilderness before 40 years?

To the consternation of many Republicans, it is none other than Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House.

Gingrich is far from a unanimous or even a consensus choice to run for president in 2012, but there is a strong feeling in Republican ranks that he is the only leader of their party who has shown the skill and energy to attempt a comeback quickly.

Even one of his strongest supporters for president in 2012 admits it is a "very risky choice." But Republicans are in a desperate mood after the fiasco of John McCain's seemingly safe candidacy.

Republicans seem chastened by the failure of seeking moderate, independent and even Democratic votes. They are ready to try going back to the "old-time religion."

Risky? Let's see, here's a guy who in 4 years went from the savior of the GOP and Speaker of the House in 1994 to actually helping getting Clinton re-elected over Dole in 1996 and then resigning his House seat in November 1998 because he lost complete control of his own House caucus as Speaker. The unchained GOP House wingnuts then went insane and impeached Clinton just six weeks later as their first "bi-partisan" act of the post Newt era. Yeah, I'm sure America wants to be reminded of that chapter of history. But they may not have any other choice, Novak says.
It would be a rocky road for Gingrich to the nomination, much less the presidency, but there are no other serious candidates inside the party at the moment.
Honestly stop and think about that admission. Not only does he mean 2008 primary losers like Romney, Huckabee, and Rudy 9/11 are not serious 2012 candidates, but he means rising GOP stars like Bobby Jindal and yes, Sister Sarah have no chance either.

If Novak is serious about Newt being the GOP's only shot in 2012 at all, then Obama will be a two-term President for sure. Let's hope he's right. Gingrich/Palin in 2012 would be deliciously awesome.