Obama's first failed appointment

[Beestie]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Which is it?

Both. The rank and file are well-intended folk who will screw up if not managed by competent leadership. But, like any group, they will screw up in a different way if they feel their leader does not represent or understand them.

Not everyone who thinks Panetta was not the best choice is advancing a right-wing agenda but I can only speak for myself. I'll settle for anybody who can effectively use the resources of the agency to carry out the wishes of the President. And its not obvious to me how Panetta is the ideal candidate to answer that call of duty.

The fact that other people who were also not obvious choices did a good job as an argument in support of Panetta is utterly devoid of merit.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Beestie

Both. The rank and file are well-intended folk who will screw up if not managed by competent leadership. But, like any group, they will screw up in a different way if they feel their leader does not represent or understand them.

The premise of the first quote wasn't incompetence; it was a lack of respect for an outsider. If the rank and file let their resentment for an outsider cause "huge problems", then they are not "doing what is right". If he proves incompetent later, that's on him.

The fact that other people who were also not obvious choices did a good job as an argument in support of Panetta is utterly devoid of merit.

Correct. It is not an argument in support of Panetta. It is a counterexample to one of the arguments against Panetta.