Debating Who Obama Picks is Relevant to What His Administration Will Do

I've been saying for some time that the day after Obama's election, all sorts of policy and personality battles would unfold around him. This is happening as predicted, and the tension, backbiting, and jostling for position is fraying the nerves of many who are highest on the list of candidates Obama is considering for senior positions throughout the government. One quite senior national security personality close to Obama told me that "I hate this. I hate this focus on people and personalities. It's the ideas that matter. I'm just sick of this back and forth about appointments and the people. It just doesn't matter." I actually agree with the commenter that it should be policy that we focus on -- but where I disagree is that different personalities in a job telegraph different policies. The notion that everything will derive... [read full story]