If Obama wins re-election, two of his top cabinet members won't seek reappointment.

[MD20]

While scanning through the news channels I heard on CNN or MSNBC that Hillary Clinton and Tim Geitner will not seek re-appointment. Shocked, I tried in vain to find more information on the INTERNET regarding this. Can anyone here clue me in? What the heck is going on? I would think that abandoning the ship of state in mid-term by two ranking officers is symptomatic of something sinister. IS it?

[unblock]

1. not at all unusual.

major and multiple "shake-up" are often a sign that the administation is going off the rails and needs to get back on track.

but the odd change of personnel here and there, and especially on re-election is quite normal.

[femmocrat]

2. Secretary Clinton has said publicly that she plans to retire.

I think she has had enough of public life and just wants to relax and enjoy life.

[dem644555il]

11. yep

[annabanana]

3. good on Geitner..

But I think hillary has done a pretty damn good job...

[DURHAM D]

4. Clinton has been saying for over a year she won't serve during a second term.

Its not news.

[MD20]

19. Aw, C'mon Durham...

Lets get some intrigue into this thing. Surely, some speculation is worth discussion here. Is Hillary going to run in 2016? Is she at odds with other staff members or with Michelle? Well... perhaps I am just too curious and should wait until after the elections. After all we don't want to give the CONservers any ammunition do we?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Actually, that's not all that unusual.

There is often a change in cabinet-level officers at the beginning of a president's second term. I think both Clinton and Geithner had already announced they were stepping down. It doesn't mean all that much, and at least with respect to Geithner, somebody else might be an improvement.

[notadmblnd]

6. Did you think there was somthing sinister going on when members of bushes staff quit in midterm?

Chao was the only cabinet member who made it through both of W's terms. Are you still shocked?

[MD20]

18. Well, I'm a Democrat

so anything that happened short of mutiny in W's administration, wasn't too much of a concern. I suspect that those cabinet members that quit knew that bush's WMDs were simply Words of Mass Deception.

[UrbScotty]

7. Usually around half of a re-elected president's cabinet steps down.

Eight or nine Clinton Cabinet secretaries stepped down in 1997.

If you look at the cabinets of two-term Presidents, you'll find very few cabinet members who stay the whole eight years. Clinton had four (Reno, Babbitt, Riley, Shalala), Bush had only one (Chao), and I think Reagan only had one or two.

[DevonRex]

23. Thank you!

Last edited Tue Mar 6, 2012, 06:14 PM - Edit history (1)

The primaries in 2008 were so contentious that we don't want to do anything to revive them, even unintentionally.

Just so you know, there are other contentious issues on DU, like guns and our policy towards Israel. If they become huge news that involves Obama, we can and will report on it here. But we try to avoid doing anything that would upset groups of DUers and make them feel obligated to come here to state their case.

Those arguments are for GD and Politics, and in the groups devoted to specific interests.

That way we can keep this a safe haven for Obama supporters. You'll learn the ropes as you go. The other hosts and I always try to let posters know how things work, unless someone crosses the obvious troll line, of course.

If you have questions, feel free to ask.

Devon

[Po_d Mainiac]

8. Geitner should be headed for Kansas

Leavenworth

[DevonRex]

9. Sinister? That's extreme, don't you think?

Why would you read anything sinister into people simply moving on?

[MD20]

17. Not...sinister is NOT extreme!

And why would you be concerned with my use of the word in the context of this thread? Is there something wrong with revealing what you feel about something and putting a question out there to see what others think about it? I don't buy into that "simply moving on" canard when it occurs in high places. People in powerful positions don't quit "just to move on." Especially when there is so much more work to be done for the progressive cause. When you stop doing all you can to support the President of the United States, especially one who is a fellow democrat, my suspicions are aroused. I think my assessment is a healthy one.

[DevonRex]

22. Read the SOP for this group.

Also, note which members are hosts of this group.

This is NOT a place for disparaging the Clintons as you have done.

[MD20]

10. The general consensus here is what I was looking for!

Thanks to all for your input. I really want Obama to win re-election and perhaps I was just a bit fearful the announcements that Hillary and Tim were leaving might influence the outcome. Reading your posts has reassured me that I have nothing to worry about.
After all, the team will be intact right up until November; and, Obama will have been re-elected by then.

Researching Geithner, I see that he leans more towards the Republican side. He is probably under pressure from his Republican cohorts to resign rather than help Obama fix the economy. Among his reasons for leaving might include Obama's abject disregard for Geithner's right wing advice.

But who would be a suitable replacement? Hopefully, this time it will be a Democrat!

I won't get into my hunch concerning Hillary wanting to retire. I would, but I see that already the word "troll" is forming in slow motion on the lips of a few respondents here. I'll back off to keep the faith and continue positive dialogue with those who are so inclined! OBAMA 2012!!!!!

[DevonRex]

12. Positive works for me. nt

[sufrommich]

13. Lol,something sinister? you're not very good at this.

[Number23]

14. +1

But it's cute all the same. Like watching a baby take its first steps before falling flat on his butt.

[MD20]

16. Not so cute....

if the thing watching the baby is a mouse stuck on flypaper directly under the baby's butt...heh heh heh!

[Number23]

26. You know what's sad? Is that I bet you think that comment made sense/was actually funny.

[MD20]

15. sufommich, are u trying to bait me?

if the word "sinister" invokes jovial illusions in you its not my fault.

[sufrommich]

21. "Clinton's dalliance in the Oral orifice"

It doesn't look to me like you're going to need my help. Enjoy your stay.

[Number23]

27. Where did you see that comment? Was it made by the OP?

"Clinton's dalliance in the Oral orifice" Classy.

[DevonRex]

28. It was up towards the top

I told him to edit it out after a jury left it alone. And he self deleted.

[MD20]

24. Actually, I like the Clintons

My comments about them were not meant to be hurtful or harmful. I just thought that since I was in the Obama group and not the Clinton group, there would be more lee way here to discuss them and their perceived effect on the president. Obviously, I was wrong.
By your grace, I have not been blacklisted. For that I extend a hearty THANK YOU to all concerned. If silence means freedom then I shall indulge in it copiously. After all, you can't fight city hall!

[DevonRex]

25. Thank you so much.

We appreciate your understanding.