411 Politics Fact or Fiction: Week 111

Posted by Brandon Crow on 11.24.2008

Is Obama's "Team of Rivals" approach to governing a good one? Is Rush Limbaugh a big, fat idiot? Do the Democrats need 60 Senate seats to be effective? Will Hillary Clinton make a good Secretary of State?

Welcome to another edition of Politics Fact or Fiction. It's Week 111, and this is indeed a special week. To celebrate the fact that this is 1-1-1, we have a 1st time participant in reader Geoff Landtbom, plus F or F's number 1 host/moderator of all time, Ryan Latimer returning to take what is rightfully his—pure glory! I know, you're all asking where the final "1" is. Frankly, I'm Latimer's number 1 fan! So there.

Let's get to it.

Ding! Ding

1. President-Elect Barack Obama speaks often of Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, "Team of Rivals," which details "the genius of Abraham Lincoln's cabinet and governing strategy." Obama says he wants to model his cabinet after that of Lincoln's. This ‘team of rivals' approach is a good one.

Ryan Latimer: FACT. Absolutely. It is a great strategy to not only keep your friends and ideological peers in your company, but also your challengers. Why? Because many political issues are not a matter of right and wrong, but of "I believe," meaning no one can ever be "right" all the time. It is sort of like the valuable advice in engaging in regular conversation with those that do NOT agree with, because if all you are doing is agreeing with buddies and yes men all day long, how will you ever learn anything new or see things in different lights? It's called groupthink, and it's so easy to fall into.

Now, it is not clear if Obama is making this decision as strictly an image enhancer, but you at least have to give it a chance. If he doesn't make valid attempts to consider other options and mentalities, he will just be a liberal version of the stubborn Bush administration, run by a man who also insisted he would be "a uniter, not a divder." Ball is in your court, Mr. O.

Geoff Landtbom: FACT. It's very obvious that Obama considers Lincoln one of his heroes and so do I. What better way then to get an idea of how you should govern then to follow the example of our greatest president? Obama can't go wrong with this approach as far as I'm concerned. Naming Hillary Clinton as SOS is an important first step.

I haven't read Goodwin's book but I have to say that I think it's very important to have different points of view in your government. Otherwise you may end up making a horrible decision that falls on you and you alone. Bush was known for having yes men all around him and it hurt him because he didn't listen to any opposing views. Colin Powell was exhibit A. If Bush had listened to him, we would have never gone into Iraq in the first place and thousands of lives would have been spared.

Now, can this type of approach cause problems? Sure it can. There's always the potential for conflict. But I like what Obama's doing. He's willing to include people that don't always agree with him on issues. He's willing to put Republicans in his cabinet for example. He's also willing to listen to Republicans on Capitol Hill for ideas on policy. It was the approach he tried to convey in his book, "The Audacity Of Hope," and I think it will ultimately serve both him and our country well in the long run if done right. You need to include everyone you can in the decision making process process and not just those that agree with you.

If you don't, it's very likely you won't be able to govern effectively. Just ask Bush.

1 for 1.

2. Rush Limbaugh is already screaming from his radio talk show about how this economic downturn is actually, "the Obama Recession." This quote proves the old Al Franken quip that "Rush Limbaugh is a big, fat idiot."

Ryan Latimer: FACT. BUT hmm, Al Franken calling Rush Limbaugh a "big, fat, idiot." Talk about the pot calling the kettle an obnoxious dip shit. Quite frankly, I can't stand either man, and this new criticism by Rush is just another reason why he can be so unbearable to listen to at times. Recall that whole groupthink argument I mentioned in the previous question? Bang. In Rush Limbaugh Land, Democrats are at fault for practically everything, no matter what logic may or may not play into such an argument. It's pointless. The notion that we are in an "Obama Recession" is about as credible a theory as Al Franken making a credible Minnesota senator. Hey, Rush, ever consider a political career? If Stuart Smally can pull it off (or almost pull it off), think of the possibilities.

Geoff Landtbom: FACT. Everybody knows that Rush is just a stupid idiot. Obama does not take office until 12 noon on January 20, 2009. Until then, Bush is still the President Of The United States and he is therefore still responsible for anything that goes wrong. Once Obama is sworn in, it becomes his problem and he will have to clean up the mess Bush left behind. Frankin is right about Rush and I'm sure even republicans would agree that the mess we're in is not Obama's fault. There's a reason why Keith Olbermann always refers to Rush as "Comedian Rush Limbaugh." It's because his idiotic statements always make you laugh out loud.

2 or 2.

Switch!

3. The Democrats need to win 60 Senate seats (a filibuster-proof majority) in order to effectively push their agenda.

Geoff Landtbom: FICTION. They already have 58 seats and just need two more for 60 but even if they don't get 60 I would not rule out moderate Republicans to cross over to Obama's side. Snowe, Collins, McCain, and Spector would seem to be the most likely candidates to cross over. I would also watch for public opinion polls. If Obama's agenda is popular, that makes it harder to filibuster in my opinion. After all, if people want something, they expect to have it. If enough people want health care reform, it will pass.

Ryan Latimer: FACT. Indeed, there is enough leeway on the GOP side to prevent full filibuster-proof situation, something no doubt that will (and has always, really) irk the hardcore Republicans, McCain in particular, who I don't see getting the boot as an Arizona senator. In addition to this, the GOP really needs an image and attitude adjustment right now, and they need to play their cards right, not acting like partisan, stubborn jerks just to stir the pot. That is the LAST thing the country needs right now. All in all, it will still be interesting to see how these two parties get along with Obama and his upcoming administration taking the Democratic reigns.

2 for 3.

4. Hillary Clinton will make a good Secretary of State.

Geoff Landtbom: FACT I have no doubt that Hillary would make a good SOS. People around the world have a lot of respect for her and so I'm sure that her selection would dramatically help to improve our reputation with the world. And I also think that all this talk about opposing views on Iran doesn't mean anything. Clinton is not president. Obama is. If Obama wants talks with Iran, it is her responsibility to make sure those talks happen regardless of how she feels.

Ryan Latimer: FACT. Boy, howdy, talk about a loaded question. I have such a love/hate relationship with the Clinton Duo that I could literally have an hour-long argument with myself. I won't bore you with all the details. In the end, I'm going with "fact" for the primary reason that, ultimately and at the very least, Hillary Clinton knows what she is doing. Love or hate her, she knows what she is doing. You can complain all day long about how Obama is "ignoring his word" regarding real change everyone can believe in, but he still needs a qualified team to help steer the ship, and he is the boss, not Clinton or Eric Holder or whomever you choose to point to.

Of course, this is all contingent upon whether or not Sen. Clinton (and Bill, honestly) can - how can I put this delicately? - know her role. I believe ABC's Sam Donaldson's said it best: "Offering the job of secretary of state to Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., strikes me as a good move... provided she signed on wholeheartedly without reservation to loyally serve her principal, the president. I think she would. To do otherwise, certainly as long as he is the 10,000-pound gorilla, would be most unwise." Good luck with all that.

3 for 4.

That's it for Week 111. Special thanks to Geoff and Ryan for stopping by. See you in seven for Week 112. Have a Happy Thanksgiving…gobble, gobble!