I don't mind keeping Gates on

[Taverner]

At least at first. You need the last guy to tell the new guy what they did.

I don't mind Clinton as SoS - she's seasoned, smart and driven

WHAT I DO MIND, however

Is the not even a slap on the wrist they gave Lieberman

They should have booted his ass

[bigtree]

1. Continuity is the reason we have military commanders

There are plenty of folks in Obama's advisory inner circle who can assume the lead at the Pentagon with effectiveness.

[Taverner]

2. Irregardless, WHY DID THEY FUCKING LET LIEBERMAN OFF???

[mdmc]

3. Joementum was doing what he thought was right for the USA

He thought that McCain was a better choice then Obama. I can respect that.

Gates is just beat. We can do better.

[TwilightGardener]

4. I initally supported Gates staying, but really, he's not an irreplaceable God of Defense.

Between him and Hillary, I'd prefer someone a little less...hawkish and military-solution-oriented...to take Defense. Would have been different if Kerry or someone else had provided some balance as SoS.

[Profprileasn]

5. No one is irreplaceable.

No one is irreplaceable...really. I think what is most important now is that we all try to work together. I like Hillary, she is a smart lady.

[jobycom]

6. They did give Lieberman a slap on the wrist. Not much more, but that.

They removed one of his chairmanships. He's also a stagnant pond now. He has no allies. His only role now is stamper or spoiler, and if he plays the spoiler, he'll lose that. Obama and Reid didn't want Obama's honeymoon to end early with the media attacking him for "seeking revenge" when Obama is supposed to be bipartisan.

Lieberman's dead, only his feet are still twitching. He knows it, everyone knows it. All Obama did was dodge a media blow. When Lieberman becomes a problem later, Reid can bounce him with no consequences. Smart politics. That's what we hired the guy for.

As for Gates, nuke him.