Spring Break
Obama forms "Team of Rivals?"
Patrick Fancher
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: Forum
This quote perfectly illustrates the bipartisan unity Obama is said to be working towards. On Monday, former Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain and Obama held their first meeting since Obama won the election on November 4. According to a story on politico.com, the two men discussed having a sit down, during a phone conversation on election night.
McCain and Obama, along with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and McCain's friend, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham discussed the current financial crisis, energy and national security, plus the recent closing of the prison at Guantanamo Bay, according to politico.com. Senator McCain and President elect Obama released this joint statement, "At this defining moment in history, we believe all that Americans of all parties want and need their leaders to come together and change the bad habits of Washington so that we can solve the common and urgent challenges of our time."
If the two men can work together, it would definitely signify that Obama will truly bring change to Washington by crossing party lines when doing so is in the best interests of the country.
What is the value that Obama might see in bringing in people that disagree with him?
I think the underlying answer is that all the aforementioned candidates bring an abundance of political experience and differing points of view that could provide a more accurate representation of the wants and needs of the American public. Obama had said often times during speeches "that experience is needed to bring change."
The partisan fighting in Washington over the years has kept both parties from being able to collaborate to reach a consensus on what will work best for this country. It will be interesting to see which candidates Obama picks for his administration and the impact the people selected will ultimately have.
If Clinton, and possibly even McCain, join the Obama/Biden administration, Obama will have organized his own modern day version of a "Team of Rivals."
Patrick Fancher is a junior in new media communication. The opinions expressed in his columns do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily Barometer staff. Fancher can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
McCain and Obama, along with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and McCain's friend, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham discussed the current financial crisis, energy and national security, plus the recent closing of the prison at Guantanamo Bay, according to politico.com. Senator McCain and President elect Obama released this joint statement, "At this defining moment in history, we believe all that Americans of all parties want and need their leaders to come together and change the bad habits of Washington so that we can solve the common and urgent challenges of our time."
If the two men can work together, it would definitely signify that Obama will truly bring change to Washington by crossing party lines when doing so is in the best interests of the country.
What is the value that Obama might see in bringing in people that disagree with him?
I think the underlying answer is that all the aforementioned candidates bring an abundance of political experience and differing points of view that could provide a more accurate representation of the wants and needs of the American public. Obama had said often times during speeches "that experience is needed to bring change."
The partisan fighting in Washington over the years has kept both parties from being able to collaborate to reach a consensus on what will work best for this country. It will be interesting to see which candidates Obama picks for his administration and the impact the people selected will ultimately have.
If Clinton, and possibly even McCain, join the Obama/Biden administration, Obama will have organized his own modern day version of a "Team of Rivals."
Patrick Fancher is a junior in new media communication. The opinions expressed in his columns do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily Barometer staff. Fancher can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
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