Ideological purists from both sides are making a fuss over cabinet appointments...

[phleshdef]

Its hilarious. I see the Hannity's of the world accusing Obama of choosing the most radical leftists available while the extreme equivalent on our side of the fence are accusing Obama of filling his cabinet with hawks, neocons and corporatists.

Both sides are full of shit. But it does say one thing to me... Obama must be doing something right.

[Thrill]

1. Democrats are always ready to eat their own.

So both reactions were expected

[phleshdef]

4. You would think after 8 horrible years we would learn to be happy with what we have...

...instead of what we wish we had and probably never will.

I believe America is a center-left country now and, so far, Obama's appointments seem to be reflecting that.

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. I think he should appoint one real leftist -

that would take the wind out of the Hannitys' sails about all the OTHER appointees, while at the same time slightly mollifying us lefties who never really expected him to appoint any lefties at all.

[w4rma]

3. Agreed. Everyone who doesn't follow the Republican leadership is a "leftist" to them. (nt)

[phleshdef]

6. I consider all the appointments so far as people that are "to the left", just not on every issue.

Think about it. Hillary Clinton, even though she failed to make it happen in the 90s, put the "Universal Healthcare" idea in the mainstream.
Holder is anti-Gitmo, anti-torture and anti-corporate greed.
Daschle voted on the right (er... left) side of issues a lot more times than the times that he did not.

I think the facts that people need to face is there aren't that many Kucinich or Bernie Sanders types who are qualified or even willing to take a lot of these positions. But just because the current appointments aren't as "liberal" as guys like them doesn't mean they still aren't mostly liberal. They are.

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. Liberal is NOT left.

Hillary NEVER supported universal healthcare - she supports universal health INSURANCE, and the insurance plan she touted in the primaries is little different than what she proposed 15 years ago.

Since when is a stand against illegal detention, torture and greed the sole province of the left? Goldwater himself would have never countenanced 90% of what this administration has done.

There is no real left in this country. What we call left would be called center or center right in most of the world.

These people may be on the left end of the US spectrum, but that spectrum pretty much ends at the center, overall, ranging from insane right, through far right, right, center right, center, to center left.

[phleshdef]

9. Liberal and left mean the same thing to most people, regardless of actual technical definitions.

I won't argue semantics, I have more important things to do.

But I agree that America's left is to the right of the left in most socialist democracies.

[iamthebandfanman]

12. not just 'socialist democracies'

try any european country regardless of the pary in power.

clinton would be considered a right leaning moderate and probably obama the same.

[natrat]

5. maybe but come on....daschle...he's is so repulsive....why?,why?

[phleshdef]

7. Daschle is a good guy who BELIEVES in the cause of getting everyone access to healthcare...

... and he has a lot of knowledge on the issue, has spent years fighting for that cause, writing books, etc.

So to answer your question, WHY? Its because he is qualified, he stands with the progressive left on the issue and he wanted the job. Thats why.

[scheming daemons]

10. Daschle is an expert on Healthcare..... he simply is. He's well suited for that job.

[SidneyCarton]

11. Precisely.

When you piss off both sides, you are either a complete fool or doing something right. Considering Obama's track record, I think he's making brilliant decisions.

[madfloridian]

13. Still using that "purist" word like it's something bad to be.

:shrug:

Still using it to describe anyone that questions.

[phleshdef]

14. And will STILL continue using it in that manner...

...because thats still what 95% of the complainers around here are.

[cali]

15. It is something bad to be. very fucking bad indeed.

read some history to understand how bad. and NO ONE IS USING IT TO DESCRIBE ANYONE WHO QUESTIONS.