By The Obama transition team seems to have a habit of leaking names to the media for administration positions in order to see how the idea of the person taking that position resonates before finalizing the pick. The Secretary of the Navy position is another one of these instances:
Some top retired military leaders and some Democrats in Congress are backing William White, chief operating officer of the Intrepid Museum Foundation, to be the next secretary of the Navy — a move that would put the first openly gay person at the top of one of the services, The Washington Times reported Thursday.
The job is a civilian position, so it would not run afoul of the ban on gays serving in the military. [Washington Times]
Pardon the pun, but I think everyone is missing the boat on this one. I could care less that he is gay, the real question is does running a museum qualify someone to by the Secretary of the Navy? I’m sure readers serving in the Navy could best answer this. Is he really the best qualified guy for the position or is this just a political pick by team Obama in order to appease the gay community who are infuriated with Rick Warren being selected to give the invocation at Obama’s innaguration?
2:16 am on December 20th, 2008 1
Probably, but Obama's team seemed to be stumbling here. Contradictory choices please no one. I was disappointed in the selection of pop preacher Rich Warren and putting aside Obama's views on discrimination on the basis of sexual preference, it was a stupid move politically. Evangelical Christians aren't going to remember Rick Warren four years from now, but gays and supporters of gay rights will.
2:56 am on December 20th, 2008 2
I think Obama is counting on that the gay community and its supporters will vote for and support him anyway in four years and are instead trying to make in roads with Christian conservatives with the Rick Warren pick who are suspicious of Obama.
4:42 am on December 20th, 2008 3
Politicians on both sides need to be careful about counting on the loyalty of core constituencies while seeking converts. Obama's win owes in part to new voters energized and excited by his candidacy and to a lack of enthusiasm for McCain among traditional Republican constituencies. Obama and other politicians need to heed the wisdom of the fable about the man, the boy, and the donkey doing to market and not try to please everyone. Catering to religious conservatives is one reason why the Republican party is out of power. A very unpopular Obama could face serious challengers in the primaries as Johnson did in '68.
4:42 am on December 20th, 2008 4
typo correction: doing = going
3:09 pm on December 20th, 2008 5
The state of the economy in 2012 will largely determine whether Obama is re-elected. If the Democrats govern well and get lucky breaks on the economy they can count on doing well in 2010 and 2012. If not, the Republicans probably will get their turn again. Sideshows like Rick Warren will have little to do with it. On the other hand, that should be frustrating for Republicans since their electoral fate is pretty much out of their hands.
1:23 am on December 21st, 2008 6
It does seem to be a rather queer selection.
Poor navy guys are really going to get messed with now.
But seriously, are there that many gays out there to counter-balance the support he may lose? I'm not so sure Joe the plumber is going to approve.
1:35 am on December 21st, 2008 7
This must be a deal between BO and Clinton. Maybe a payoff to Bill to keep his mouth shut in the later stages of the election. BCs first act was to lift the ban on gays in the military – don't ask don;t tell compromise. Guess BC has some kinky thoughts now and then – cigars anyone.
1:58 am on December 21st, 2008 8
"Is he really the best qualified guy for the position or is this just a political pick by team Obama"
He is the best qualified for the position. Which other candidate has experience handling sea-men?
2:43 am on December 21st, 2008 9
JAFO has lots of jokes today.
3:07 am on December 21st, 2008 10
The center is at best lukewarm about gay rights, so the smartest political approach for a democrat is to avoid controversial remarks or decisions that may alienate either gays or the lukewarm middle. I suspect that Obama's team was unaware of Rick Warren's views on gay marriage when they invited him to give the inaugural convocation, suggesting that there are no gays in his inner circle of advisors. It's not only about votes but contributions and political action. Demographically gays have a higher than average income and are politically active. The economy is always make-or-break factor in elections, but if the economy is still weak, Obama will need all the friends he can muster.
4:29 am on December 21st, 2008 11
Here is a viewpoint that supports what I think Team Obama is up to with the Rick Warren pick:
http://cominganarchy.com/2008/12/20/the-prince-an…