Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano tapped as Secretary of Homeland Security

I know our own Betty Cracker is a big fan of Napolitano and I really like what I’ve read about her, so bravo.  Both NPR and Politico are reporting that she’s been offered and will accept the gig.

All in all, I’m pretty happy about how Obama has been filling out his cabinet so far.  You?

Posted by Kevin K. on 11/20/08 at 09:30 AM • Permalink

Great pick! She’ll do a much better job than the hapless Skeletor. Immigration is a thorny issue, one I’m certain the wingnuts will tap (along with scary homo marriages, of course) to try to stage their grand comeback. Napolitano has demonstrated the capacity to be both tough and humane.

I agree that she looks like a great choice. I’m reading a lot of other comments that perhaps the new powers-that-be can ditch the whole “Homeland Security” title and restructure the department in a better framework under a new name. Let’s rinse the stink of Bush off every department if we can.

Couldn’t agree more, Donnah. Peggy Noonan (of all people!) pegged it when she deemed “Homeland” too “Teutonic.”

Oh hey, wouldn’t it be too sweet if Obama restructured that organization in such a way that Napolitano was in charge of the important stuff, but “Department of Homeland Security” became a tiny outpost that regulated, ummm, airport security screener uniforms or something? And then Joe Lieberman would be chairman of the corresponding senate committee and in charge of deciding whether uniform pants should use buttons or metal clasps and stuff?

I have no idea how it works, but that would be sweet.

But Barry is a total sexist and he isn’t choosing enough wimmens! I read it in some concern-troll blog or another so it must be true!

I just hope AZ elects another Dem governor. How does that work? Is Napolitano’s lieutenant gov a Dem?

Yes, I am! 

So far, so good. Still waiting to see who gets picked or accepts for SOS and Treasury…

I don’t know...I am still scratching my head over the Hillary choice as Sec State. She is very competent now doubt, and I’m sure she would make a fine Sec State. But I’m still not sure why Obama proceeded with even considering Hillary. We were just finished with the whole emotional roller coaster show that was Hillary Clinton’s camp and her supporters, they finally put some closure to the whole thing by accepting Obama and now Obama is dangling another carrot at them by telling everyone he is considering Hillary again. Now Joan Walsh and Taylor Marsh and Gail Collins are screaming ‘Anoint Hillary’ at the top of their lungs. Can you imagine the anger from Hillary’s supporters if Hillary doesn’t get the position? So why box yourself this way to begin with? And didn’t Obama know that he would have to deal with the wreckage that is Bill? I mean why are we all going through this shit again? And Hillary is a very strong woman. I have a nagging sense she will not necessarily go along with all of Obama’s decision, especially if she is considering a run in 2016. I can she and Obama verbally sparring over who knows best about foreign policy and that is one drama I do not think America wants to go through again. And lets not forget that Hillary couldnt even manage her own campaign and we are supposed to assume she can run a big bureaucracy like State Dept?

And I am actually really bummed about Hillary as Sec State. I mean how is that any significant change in foreign policy thinking? I don’t exactly see Hillary being even handed in the Israeli - Palestinian crisis, and she was already eager to bomb Iran out of political considerations. So where is the change that Obama is promising? And he allows Lieberman to chair powerful positions in the Senate. I know we are all supposed to not question Obama as he is way smarter than us and thinks 2 steps ahead, but I just dont get it...I was already not happy he had Susan Rice on board (Susan Rice supported the Iraq war), and now he has Hillary.

And where is Samantha Power? (she was the one who called Hillary a monster) she is by far one of the smartest foreign policy wonks out there...why cant Obama bring her back as an advisor?

And then on to the economy.......Why couldnt he have appointed Stiglitz or Roubini or Galbraith to be Treasury Sec or Fed Chairman? These are the 3 men out of all the fat bloated Harvard blessed economists who wisely predicted couple yrs back that the housing market was going to collapse as well as the banks due to the Credit Swaps Derivatives. They are free market guys but are in favor of strong oversight. Summers and other are not..and yet Obama is considering Summers to the post of Fed Chairman.

I want to see Richarson and Hagel get some sort of posting. As someone who vehemently was against the war and took a lot of shit for being against it (And Chicago wasnt even the worst of places to be during that time) Im disappointed so far with Obama’s choices. now Im in wait and see mode .....and I guess we will all be waiting to see if Obama can deliver the goods

I know we are all supposed to not question Obama as he is way smarter than us and thinks 2 steps ahead…

I don’t feel that way at all—it’s perfectly okay to question Obama, and we’re hashing it out here all the time. You raise some excellent points.

However, I think it’s too soon to fret over the absence of Power (would love to see her as National Security Adviser) and who will be Treasury Sec, etc., as those decisions haven’t been made yet.

I like the Daschle pick.

NO! SHIT! NO! Not Napolitano. ARRRGH!

I’m in Arizona, you see, and all the knuckle-dragging retirees around me just voted that gays living with each other forever is TOO SCARY and TOO EVIL to be let happen! And immigrants should be shot!

So it was a small miracle Janet Napolitano got elected… but now…

bimbo, you make some very good points. I’m not crazy about the Hillary pick for all of the reasons you mentioned. I think the last point you made is one not nearly enough people are mentioning.

Great insight all around.

And am I living in a cave or is it weird how little chatter has been going on about SecDef?

NO! SHIT! NO! Not Napolitano. ARRRGH!

You scared me for a second.  My condolences. Can you clarify for us what happens if she steps down?

Thanks Betty.

As far as Treasury Sec goes, you are right...he hasn’t chosen anyone yet....but I would have liked to see one of those economist guys I mentioned above standing with Obama during his first press conference as President elect (you know the one where the reporters were more concerned about Obama’s choice of dog) Summers was there and other sans regulation free marketeers, but not anyone who predicted this crisis. Makes me question the kind of advice he is getting.

And you know I am an Obama supporter. But there really are some tongue wagging hagiographers over at Daily Kos and John Cole’s website. I mean question Obama a bit and they troll rate you. I never thought Obama was going to be the The One (or That One if you like McCain), but to see some of those syrupy videos released by Will.i.am and the photo worshipping pics of Obama over at Dkos just make me cringe. I am not expecting too much from Obama....just dont want any more wars, hoping for a resolution to the Mideast crisis and want major action on climate change. and yet on the war front, im not seeing much in way of appointments but I guess we shall see.

You know what Obama should be doing. Do something on a major scale with the railways the way Eisenhower did for the interstates. Let those Detroit automakers go bankrupt. Take the workers from those companies and build railways down to every nook and cranny city out there in America. Its already done in places like India so why cant we do it here in the State?. that way it will get us off our addiction to oil, help reduce global warming, stimulate the economy and reduce unemployment and force Americans to be a less individualistic “i want my own SUV and fuck carpooling’ society...being around humans does wonders to the human psyche

I believe that the Republican Secretary of State in AZ will pick the next governor.  Might be a good fit for McCain.

Kevin,

You are right...there hasn’t been talk about Sec of Defense, which is really weird. Personally Im fine with Gates being Defense Sec for a while and this is why: He was the voice of reason within the Bush admin (its sad when one starts calling conservatives in this day and age as the voice of reason). After Lord Skeletor was fired, it was Gates who told Bush in no uncertain terms that Iraq was spiralling out of control. And from everything I read, it was Gates (along with Mullen and that other Naval Chief guy who was fired for being truthful about Iran) who told Bush that the US would be committing a major strategic blunder by attacking Iran. He was the counterweight to Dick Cheney on defense affairs.

The people over at the military industrial complex are freaking out because Democrats in charge because that means they wont be able to buy or sell their big fancy weapons and guns and tanks. Which is precisely why Obama should appoint someone who didnt support the Iraq war and someone who can find ways to cut back on military spending. I think Richardson or Hagel would be great for the job. I dont think the military folks would like Richardson but they could like Hagel. Give the troops what they need to get the job in Iraq and Afghanistan and to protect themselves and thats it. No more fancy toys for the military and bloated defense contracts for Raytheon and Triple Canopy.

Bimbo,

I agree with you about Gates and maybe that’s why there’s no chatter. Perhaps it’s more of a foregone conclusion that he’s going to stay on than I realize.  The funny thing is that without the ‘06 Dem wins, I doubt he ever would have gotten the job. I also think David Petraeus deserves some credit, too.  Like a lot of other people, I wasn’t happy with him serving as a PR rep for the Bush admin in front of congress, but I think he’s implemented some sound strategic policies in Iraq. He’s definitely more of a hearts n’ minds kinda guy, which I like. I know as a lefty I’m not supposed to give the thumbs up to him, but, once again, I think the Dems deserve some credit for forcing a change of strategy in Iraq w/ Petraeus leading the charge.

Regarding replacing Gates, I don’t see Richardson in that role.  Quite frankly, even though I like him, he’s just never struck me as being a bright guy.  I just don’t get that vibe from him at all. Hagel strikes me as a bit more of a hawk than I’d like to see as Sec, but I guess it’s hard to find anyone who isn’t getting the gig.

I like the Daschle pick.

Me too Betty, mostly because I am originally from SoDak.  I had no idea he has been so busy with the health care issue. I had no idea and neither did Momma Wedge (who still lives in SoDak) that he wrote a book about how we need to change the health care system.
I still don’t get the Hillary pick except that I think she would be better as SOS than as one of my Senators.  Plus, I wouldn’t have to go back on my promise to “never vote for that b@#$h again.”

I know as a lefty I’m not supposed to give the thumbs up to him, but, once again, I think the Dems deserve some credit for forcing a change of strategy in Iraq w/ Petraeus leading the charge.

Kevin, I don’t think us lefties are reflexively anti military. That’s how the Republicans have defined us. Just because we don’t subscribe to their aggressive ‘lets make war’ policies doesn’t make us any less patriotic.

I know I’m going really off topic here, but we do need to ask some hard questions about our military, now that the Iraq war has subsided a bit. lets not forget that the military and its leadership very happily cheered on the case for war against Iraq because it would allow them to use some of their new toys. Their military prior to 9/11 were very concerned that they didn’t have enough battle hardened veterans...too many of the soldiers were being trained in simulators and in fake war games exercises. so they were more than happy to go to war even though some had serious doubts about it. I have yet to hear of any general who was serving back then ask “President, WTF are you doing sending our young boys and girls into a country on which evidence against it is very shaky. Mr. President, I have to be the one to face their parents if they die in the battlefield”. Not even one general asked that. Tommy Franks was relishing the whole dance to war. I agree on your assessment of Petraeus. I think he tried to do his very best with what he was given. But Petraeus job will not be done until he and the Pentagon ask how they got into Iraq in the very first place.

Remember the same questions were asked about Vietnam and very conveniently forgotten. All these generals are veterans of Vietnam, and yet they forgot the lessons of Vietnam. Who is more patriotic Kevin?

Kevin,

How timely. Scott Horton of Harpers just has this in about Sec Gates. I am posting an excerpt but clink on the link after it for the whole tamale.

But whereas Rumsfeld and his team marked a huge step backwards, Gates strove to resurrect the Pentagon’s old culture of professionalism. He insisted that his staff take a fresh look at things and provide answers and recommendations that suited the nation’s defense needs—whether they corresponded to the outline provided by Neocon thinktanks or not. He also adopted a new policy of candor and honesty in public speaking and in his remarks to Congress—resisting the temptation to which Rumsfeld regularly succumbed to tailor his remarks to the current themes of Republican politics, resulting in Orwellian rhetoric. Gates’s speeches are a study in contrast—rooted in broadly-shared values that underlie the defense establishment and sometimes openly questioning some of the excesses of his predecessor. Gates’s speeches reflect a strong and honorable view that the exercise of the nation’s war-making power must be kept above the fray of partisan politics, and that those who are deployed in the nation’s defense must understand they are acting on behalf of their country as a whole and not a political party.

http://www.harpers.org/archive/2008/11/hbc-90003876

if her years of failing to secure the Mexico-AZ border are any indication, then she should do a real bang-up job securing the whole country

if her years of failing to secure the Mexico-AZ border are any indication, then she should do a real bang-up job securing the whole country

So sez the Creed fan who seems to evaluate movies on their utility in spreading the gospel. She seems to have the right detractors…

I’m in AZ and I agree with Steve, while this may be good for the nation (she is smart and competent) it will be terrible for the state. Wingnut SoS Jan Brewer would take over as gov, and probably appoint the corrupt (and Joe Arpaio buddy) state AG to SoS. With McCain and Kyl in the senate, this effectively leaves the state in the hands of evil fucktards. I totally get that this is an opportunity she’d be crazy to pass up, but if she accepts, I am afraid we are doomed.