So far, when it comes to real issues -- the economic crisis -- Obama nominates out-and-out experts, caring nothing for ideology. This is what most Americans expect from a president. It's only when it comes to placating the left or the right loonies that he uses empty, symbolic gestures, such as being "for change" in his speeches, or inviting Warren. The idea seems to be to use gestures to keep those folks content, while actually running the country in an objective manner. I can't say that I disagree with this, if this is indeed what he's doing.
Still, this sort of thing can be overdone:
--"Well, Mr. President, the best economic professors say that X tax policy and Y interest rate is the best, most rational course."
--"Do it. And about education policy?"
--"It is recommended that we raise standards back gradually, increase the money going to teaches as opposed to administrators, and invest in pre-K education."
--"Really? That's more important than college education?"
--"It's a long range plan. Our studies indicate investment in early education means the student is likely to be better student throughout his life. It's pointless to improve college education when so many students aren't ready for it".
--"Okay, then. Prepare the report and give it back to me in a week, we'll do it. Now, what's my schedule for today, except for that?"
--"Well, you're giving a talk to the members of the Ku Klux Klan at 9:30 -- then at 12:30 you're meeting with Farrakhan -- then, you are giving the commencement speech in a radical feminist liberal arts college about 'the crucial impotance of raising the lesbian consciousness in college education' as being the most important single factor in the educational crisis facing America..."
--"You know something, Joe? That's the part of the job I *hate*".
slapped again and again.
