Hope and Change — now two-thirds off!
posted at 3:45 pm on December 1, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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‘Tis the season for great bargains, including in government! Instead of paying full price for Hope and Change, the incoming Barack Obama administration plans on knocking off 63%. That’s the number of Clinton officials in the transition team:
As the Obama transition team reviews the federal government’s network of agencies, President Bill Clinton’s appointees and staffers are playing a major role.
Just how big? At least 85 of the 135-odd members of President-elect Barack Obama’s agency review teams served in the Clinton administration, a Washington Wire count shows.
That’s nearly two-thirds of the members of the working groups reviewing agency issues, and the Clinton resurrection has not gone unnoticed. “Here’s how you can tell the campaign is over and done with,” wrote Ben Smith and Carrie Budoff Brown in Politico. “Clintonites are everywhere.”
The quality of change is even more strained within that 63% of rehires. Easha Anand notes that several of them are in charge of their former policy areas, which makes some sense — if you don’t want change but a return to the Clinton Era. Washington can be an insular town, but surely Obama could have found other people with fresh ideas for the future.
It’s worth asking what that percentage would have been in a Hillary Clinton administration. Would she have dared to comprise two-thirds of her staff with Clinton-era retreads? Or would she have wanted to get some space between her husband’s presidency and her own?
Hope and change …. discounted 63%.
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You must realize, of course, that this means absolutely nothing to the Obama faithful.
PBoilermaker on December 1, 2008 at 3:48 PM
He has no choice, his lack of experience and time on the “hill” demands that he pick people who have been there.
Clinton had his Arkansas cronies, Bush (both) had long experience in Washington and Texas. But Obama has basically 2 years, and a bunch of street buddies.
Hardly anyone with any experience to run some of the cabinet positions or admin. that he needs.
He just has so few connections.
right2bright on December 1, 2008 at 3:50 PM
E pluribus tres: Bill, Hillary and Obama. He narrowly, and finally, outfoxed her in the primaries, and now someone needs to lead the country/world.
Entelechy on December 1, 2008 at 3:51 PM
At least 85 of the 135-odd members of President-elect Barack Obama’s agency review teams served in the Clinton administration … surely Obama could have found other people with fresh ideas for the future.
Better to have Clinton 3 than Code Pink 1. I never thought I’d ever be somewhat relieved at the return of the Klintonistas! Just think of how much worse it COULD have been! Bill Ayers as the N.S. Advisor? Jeremiah Wright as the Sec. of State? Barbra Streisand as the Sec. of De … PEACE!
Tony737 on December 1, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Yobama has found training wheels to keep his administration from tipping over as he learns to pedal and steer.
Alden Pyle on December 1, 2008 at 3:55 PM
I’m not sure why it’s so surprising that Obama would look to Clinton administration veterens to fill positions in his administration. Clinton was obviously the last Dem to hold the White House and his 8 years in office yielded a large number of experienced and competent folks. Also, subject to debate in certain substantive areas (and subject to Bill’s personal failings), the Clinton years were pretty good times for most folks. Not sure why Ed and others are so surprised by this development. Experienced and qualified folks will certainly be capable of implementing whatever “changes” Obama seeks to make.
dakine on December 1, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Sorry, “veterans”.
dakine on December 1, 2008 at 3:55 PM
We have no future…..
upinak on December 1, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Obama’s in over his head and he’s starting to realize it. Hence, the mass sign-up of Clinton retreads.
Cicero43 on December 1, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Only one missing is Monica, but it is early days yet. She may be getting a bit long in the tooth, no pun intended.:)
a capella on December 1, 2008 at 3:57 PM
The Clinton years were pretty good times for Bin Laden. The Clinton/Obama years will likely be good times for people in the terror business.
gringo69 on December 1, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Obama could sign a formal surrender document aboard a Russian carrier, and the Left Wing Media would simply report that we have now gotten along with former rivals.
faraway on December 1, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Doesn’t matter. With Obama’s magical energy creating rainbows and unicorns all over Washington, these people won’t have any problems to solve anyway. I can’t believe you people are so negative.
ErikTheRed on December 1, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Cicero, I’m just curious. From what alternative pool of folks could Obama pull from. Just about every qualified and experienced Dem worked at one time or another for Clinton. The last Dem in the WH before Bill was Jimmy Carter as I’m sure you know. Sort of a silly thread.
dakine on December 1, 2008 at 3:59 PM
It’s now time to start giving up lands all over the world to Muslims. Then they will love us.
faraway on December 1, 2008 at 3:59 PM
And I can’t believe I slipped and used the forbidden phrase “you people,” even with a bunch of bitter gun-and-Bible-clingers. I’ll go write a huge check to Jesse Jackson and get my sin forgiven.
ErikTheRed on December 1, 2008 at 3:59 PM
I feel sorry for the White House staff……….
Seven Percent Solution on December 1, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Please gringo. Everybody effed up on Bin Laden.
dakine on December 1, 2008 at 4:01 PM
We can’t afford 4 more years!
OT: Palin is showing strong today.
Firebird on December 1, 2008 at 4:01 PM
I want Joycelyn Elders back!
SouthernGent on December 1, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Bill Clinton, Susan Rice, Sandy Burglar, Jaime Gorelick among the names that dart to the front of the list.
gringo69 on December 1, 2008 at 4:03 PM
If Obama had any experience running anything, there would be lots of talk about new people coming to Washington. In Nobama’s case, he’s got nobody left who isn’t under the bus, so it is the same old same old. At least we aren’t learning a bunch of new names coming from Chicago to clean up the mess in Washington.
pedestrian on December 1, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Down 600 and counting.
johnnyU on December 1, 2008 at 4:05 PM
The phrase you’re looking for is “E pluribus scruim”.
Laura in Maryland on December 1, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Same you can believe in.
NeoKong on December 1, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Of course, the Obamaites only believe in Hope and Change based on the Bush administration. Why would they want to change the Clinton administration when it was so perfect?
/sarc
Sir Corky on December 1, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Cicero, I’m just curious. From what alternative pool of folks could Obama pull from. Just about every qualified and experienced Dem worked at one time or another for Clinton. The last Dem in the WH before Bill was Jimmy Carter as I’m sure you know. Sort of a silly thread.
dakine on December 1, 2008 at 3:59 PM
The point, Dakine, is that Obama campaigned on the central theme of “change”. The implication was that his election wouldn’t just be a change from the Bush years, but a more fundamental change in the way Washington works. When you go hiring a bunch of people who have vast experience in running things the “old way” it doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence that you really meant what you said about “change”. So much of the allure of Obama was that he was this different kind of politician who was above the partisan politics we are used to. When he goes hiring old Clinton hacks it says to us that he’s not so different after all and that he’s not the agent of “change” he posited himself to be.
That, sir, is the point of the thread.
t.ferg on December 1, 2008 at 4:11 PM
May as well appoint Bill into something or hire a sitter. He’s gonna fedge the whole works up if Hillary takes him anywhere.
johnnyU on December 1, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Will he bring back Monica?
roux on December 1, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Elevator to hell!!
Stephanopoulos suggested the other day that the market rallys
were because of Obama. So is the market tanking today George
Bush’s fault?
Maybe stocking up on ammo is not a stupid idea after all.
izoneguy on December 1, 2008 at 4:14 PM
How is anyone suprised? When thousands of beurocratic policy jobs come up for grabs, and you have to at least TRY and put democrats in those jobs…aren’t you better off with able workers who are at least familiar with the post? Anyone on the left crying about this would rather see newbies…but we tried that before…it was called the 1st 2 years of clintons white house. they were a disaster. getting a whole bunch of people on board who actually have some federal experience is a GOOD thing…not a BAD thing…
ernesto on December 1, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Good Lord this talking point is stupid. A Clinton person basically refers to any Democrat under 50 or 55 who has experience in the executive branch of government.
And did it ever occur to anyone that people who worked for Clinton’s administration may be especially keen on mistakes that were made? And in fact they would probably be particularly careful to avoid making these same mistakes again?
(Crickets)
crr6 on December 1, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Hey, which is better? The third Clinton term or the second Carter term?
I’ll take the third Clinton term any day, thank-you very much.
Marking Time on December 1, 2008 at 4:18 PM
It would be helpful to have some perspective. How many of Bush II’s original team served in Bush I’s administration?
63% sounds like a lot, but since Clinton was president for 8 years, presumably a good amount of potential team members who are Democrats served in that administration. That’s also why it’s a little fast and loose to call them “Clintonites,” since having served in the Clinton administration doesn’t necessarily mean that they backed Clinton over Obama in the primary for example.
tneloms on December 1, 2008 at 4:19 PM
For starters, I think Hillary! would have picked different interns.
rbj on December 1, 2008 at 4:23 PM
Are there many survivors from the last Clintonista term? Seems lots of them turned up in the dumpster or in the park next to shredded papers and guns with no fingerprints if I recall correctly.
johnnyU on December 1, 2008 at 4:25 PM
You got her. Don’t miss the last 3rd of this video, whatever you do – “we need safer bullets”.
Entelechy on December 1, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Is there going to be a special color code for the tension level whenever First Lady Obama and Mrs. Clinton are in the same room. I hear they don’t like eachother very much.
gringo69 on December 1, 2008 at 4:27 PM
No change is even hard on crickets.
Entelechy on December 1, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Which witch is going to be the bigger witch at which time?
Entelechy on December 1, 2008 at 4:29 PM
I hate to break it to the morons who wept while the prince of peace waxed poetic about hope and change (”We are the change we’ve been waiting for…”: but the half-white/half-black man played you… and you all fell for it. Of course, half of you are probably too stupid to realize it.
D2Boston on December 1, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Obama Transition Donor List includes a $5000 donor that’s a major mafia kingpin
faraway on December 1, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Can they put Sandy Burgular at some post? Can someone tell the news media to quit using the word “tapped”? Obama tapped Eric Holder according to one source. EEWwwwww!!
gringo69 on December 1, 2008 at 4:45 PM
The belief in Hope and Change is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.
Tav on December 1, 2008 at 4:46 PM
I hope the Washington Monument is at least 75% off, It will go nicely with the Lincoln Monument that went thousands off MSRP. We wouldn’t want to break up the set anyway.
portlandon on December 1, 2008 at 4:47 PM
I blame the lack of good Democratic Party counterparts to Heritage & AEI.
HotAirJosef on December 1, 2008 at 4:48 PM
It could be worse, can you say Jimmah?
Laura in Maryland on December 1, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Then clearly they both have some taste anyway.
Tav on December 1, 2008 at 4:49 PM
But wait, there’s more, order now and get a free Bill of Rights. That’s right, FREE! We’re giving it away today, we must be craaazy here at Obamanation Corporation because if you mention this ad, we’ll throw in your gift pack of Planned Parenthood abortion gift certificates. Call now, telephone operators are standing by.
Laura in Maryland on December 1, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Obama: Hope and Repeat.
Yeah, they got played, but their response is to accuse you of being racist.
mjk on December 1, 2008 at 4:54 PM
$10k from the Lansky mafia
$20k from a healthcare scammer
In any other day, the FBI Most wanted list would look like Obama’s donor list.
faraway on December 1, 2008 at 4:55 PM
By creating “the wall”, Gorelick is the one American most responsible for 9/11. She should be barred for life from ever holding any government job, at any level, for any period of time.
Bigfoot on December 1, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Socks Sandy is going to be in charge of record retention.
rbj on December 1, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Did it ever occur to you that they would just be more keen on and careful in avoiding making a mistake that would allow their tracks to be uncovered this go around?
Tav on December 1, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Hope N change!
Hope Bill behaves around the interns and change is Hill’s in charge instead of Bill. Wooooooooow!
Be still my heart.
Herb on December 1, 2008 at 5:05 PM
So when Mrs. Clinton is away on business, do you think we could get some paparazzi to chase him around so we can get the goods on him. Prepare for scandal!!
gringo69 on December 1, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Change we can believe in!
I am exicted to see what these liberals can bring us.
Right-brained on December 1, 2008 at 5:10 PM
dakine – There are many sources of talent for Obama to choose from. There’s think tanks, and state governments, business leaders, and… Republicans. How many Rs are in the cabinet so far? I love the way the “cabinet of rivals” is going to be made up of mostly Democrats.
In fact, Obama’s remarks to reporters indicated that he doesn’t even consider conservatives for positions. He said that where else would he get people than from the previous Democratic administration? Well, there were 20 years of Republicans to choose from…
I guess appointing Republicans would be taking the whole “new spirit of bipartisanship” a bit too far.
hawksruleva on December 1, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Why aren’t there any Hispanics in the new cast of players.
gringo69 on December 1, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Clinton didn’t have any Hispanics. And if they weren’t in the Clinton administration, they’re not worthy.
hawksruleva on December 1, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Henry Cisneros, but he was convicted of something so that would take him out of the picture. Or would it?
thomasaur on December 1, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Hasn’t Richardon been mentioned for Commerce? Or is that off the table? (haven’t really been paying much attention to the Cabinet nominations)
malclave on December 1, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Henry Cisneros was HUD Sect. and pled guilty to lying to federal investigators, so that makes him still eligible.
thomasaur on December 1, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Gives “two for the price of one” a whole new meaning, yes?
Paul_in_NJ on December 1, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Is he required to have them?
Paul_in_NJ on December 1, 2008 at 5:48 PM
I think it is worth noting that when the DNC got together and basically told Hillary to f-off, it was Obama’s turn she reminded them of the popular vote favoring her and how she better be taken care of. She has been and the Clintonites winked and nodded all along during the general.
The Black Caesar has no interest in actually changing anything. He enjoys being a figure-head and is content to let these wonks run the government.
grdred944 on December 1, 2008 at 5:52 PM
Ed, you were annoyingly optimistic before the election. Now, with this endless petty sniping, you’re just plain annoying. I think Obama is dangerous, but what he’s doing now regarding appointments is entirely logical, and hardly worth five words, let alone the multiple whiney rants you’ve posted.
Yeesh.
Splashman on December 1, 2008 at 5:53 PM
During the primaries Obama spent equal time sniping at the Bush administration as he did at the Clinton one, saying that both represented Washington business as usual and that he was going to change how the federal government would be administered. Who is he kidding? Himself or the suckers who bought into his slogans?
onlineanalyst on December 1, 2008 at 6:00 PM
He needs the Clinton people because you don’t meet a lot of cabinet level people in 143 days in the Senate or the time you waste having gay sex and smoking crack in a limo.
Kevin in Southern Illinois on December 1, 2008 at 6:08 PM
The next four years are going to be like one long episode of “The Rosie Live” variety show, imao.
Branch Rickey on December 1, 2008 at 6:15 PM
I’m guessing many of these people won’t last through his first term. I think it’s only because he’s so inexperienced that he has to rely on Clinton retreads to fill the gap. But that’s only temporary. Once he’s been president for a while and gets comfortable in the job, I think he’ll cut some of these folks loose and bring more of his own team on board.
Dee2008 on December 1, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Hope and change my foot!
Every single appointment B.O. has invoked is a throwback from the Clinton administration! Every single one of them!
So when can we expect the return of Surgeon General Jocelyn “Safer Bullets!” Elders?!!!
pilamaye on December 1, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Man, can you imagine the oil-and-water when the Clintonista neo-hippies actually (who’re now Washington insiders) have to try and WORK together with his Chicago thug homies?
This is going to be a mess and a half. Obama doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing.
logis on December 1, 2008 at 6:52 PM
When you factor in a “power” factor for each ex-Clinton staffer it is higher than 63%.
With Hillary, Obama also gets Bill. Bill and Hillary at the State Department will be like a second Presidency to Obama’s.
Every former Clinton administration person that got a job in the Obama administration got it because Bill first put them on his Presidential staff. And Bill will make sure they know it.
Bill will be the shadow President in contact with every one of his former staffers and pulling the strings and putting in his 2 cents on everything that happens in the next 4 years.
Bill is one happy ex-President.
Obama does not realize what he has gotten himself into.
albill on December 1, 2008 at 6:58 PM
What happened to all that “we’re turning left!” stuff I remember from November 5? The Obama administration is starting to take the look of another interregnum period.
ddrintn on December 1, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Did anyone notice the sour faces on all the appointees at the press conference today? Check it out. Not one person was smiling. I really fear for our country especially when I hear the news about 20,000 military deployed inside our borders. What’s up with that?
missouriyankee on December 1, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Isn’t paul volker the oil for food investigator guy?
gringo69 on December 1, 2008 at 7:50 PM
For most of the Clinton years there was a Republican Congress to go along with it. Bill Clinton did not do it alone. This is one reason why many of us have doubts. Bill, with a Democratic Congress, was a failure. Barack will have to prove that he will not repeat the first 2 years of the Clinton era.
Sweetness0726 on December 1, 2008 at 7:52 PM
The upcoming team, and it’s works, will last until the mid-terms. If the Dems hold or increase their majority at that time, that will be the signal to rearrange the deck-chairs.
OldEnglish on December 1, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Dee2008 on December 1, 2008 at 6:21 PM
OldEnglish on December 1, 2008 at 7:59 PM
And learn to use the tags properly!
OldEnglish on December 1, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Will Monica Lewinsky assume her previous position under the desk on the Oval office?
Sekhmet on December 1, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Yeah, they were even better once he spent most of his time looking for intern nookie.
ddrintn on December 1, 2008 at 8:37 PM
What dog did the Clinton’s have? If Hopenchange gets the same breed I’m gonna hurl a bone.
Rockygold on December 1, 2008 at 8:38 PM
He is reneging on everything he promised his minions. And dollars to donuts they will still stand by him. They REALLY ARE that freakin’ stupid!
Scott on December 1, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Meet the new boss.same as the old boss.
Now, with 33% less philandering in the Oval Office.
jukin on December 1, 2008 at 9:36 PM
As we said in the 90’s…
Shwinggg! I hope that fart-knocker reappoints Gore & he re-invents the intrawebz so we can be all-that-and-a-bag-of-chips again!
*crew the dog – bring back Socks the cat!
batterup on December 1, 2008 at 9:54 PM
OMG, I thought I’d never hear of that person again.
Thanks for now causing all the nightmares in my sleep for the next month.
Some things should NEVER be brought up again, ever.
Sapwolf on December 1, 2008 at 10:11 PM
A Chocolate lab named Buddy.
He humped some foreign ambassador’s leg and they had to ‘fix’ him.
Sapwolf on December 1, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Don’t forget, the Klintons brought us 9/11.
fossten on December 1, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Yep. He did a good job even though little came of it. He was also a good deal helpful in bringing down Jimmah. If I remember correctly, he refused to change money policy to make Carter look good. He stood his ground and deserves some credit (most should go to the Gipper) for getting us out of Carter’s economic disaster.
Laura in Maryland on December 1, 2008 at 11:22 PM
What I find interesting/surprising is that Obama has not appointed any pols that were his buds. I really don’t think this fellow has any friends, political or otherwise.
This is rather disturbing. He is such an enigma in many ways.
YankeeinCA on December 1, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Yeah, and to hear Obama tell it, Volcker also brings a “fresh perpective”. Go figure.
ddrintn on December 1, 2008 at 11:28 PM
It wouldn’t look good to bring in Bill Ayers and Rev. Wright at this juncture. :D
ddrintn on December 1, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Hope and Change — now two-thirds off!
Batteries not included; your mileage may vary.
The KosKiddies must be livid.
Bill_M on December 1, 2008 at 11:41 PM
I wonder how different a McCain administration would have looked compared to Reagan/Bush/Bush. Bush II even reached back to the Ford administration for some of his appointments.
Bennett on December 1, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Probably not much, but then again McCain wasn’t uttering the word “change” with every other breath either.
ddrintn on December 2, 2008 at 12:16 AM
None of his appointments matter. They are all there to do his bidding. Remember, he is the vision. He is the one we’ve been waiting for. The center of the Obama universe can only be Obama. Why concern yourselves with the little people he gathers around him? He will gather them in and discard them at his choosing. Focus on the real target.
SKYFOX on December 2, 2008 at 5:03 AM
Obama’s lawyers didn’t show up to the SCOTUS, and apparently the Justice Department is representing Obama in Berg V Obama, WHY, Obama is NOT President Elect yet. WHY?
http://origin.www.supremecourtus.gov/docket/08-570.htm
20,000 troops assigned to Domestic use which would violate the Posse Comitatus Act.
What the HELL is going on?
nelsonknows on December 2, 2008 at 5:04 AM
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