Thread: Obama's cabnet

Do you think Obama should pick his top officials based on who he thinks is the most qualified, or do you think he should have a variety of women and minorities?

I have seen several articles on this, but this is the one I just saw on FB that brought the question to mind.
Tom Udall’s name added to the mix for Interior post - In the Loop - The Washington Post

Should being a White Male disqualify you for a job?

Of course not, however I don't think it is wrong to be mindful of non typical candidates...women, minorities etc.

Our country is very diverse and our leadership does not reflect that diversity.

"Do you think Obama should pick his top officials based on who he thinks is the most qualified, or do you think he should have a variety of women and minorities?"

Both. It shouldn't be an "either/or" kind of question.

I was recently having a conversation about an organization that for the past 5 years has been promoting only women. And I am torn on how I feel about it.

On the one hand, if women or minorities due to hold-over prejudices have been unable to gain the experience to continue moving up . . . then I am in support of that happening.

But, I feel that men who are qualified and a good fit for a job shouldn't be excluded because they don't belong to a protected class.

Clear as mud? :/

Originally Posted by bunnyfufu

Clear as mud? :/

No, I understand what you are saying. It does seem odd that so many of all the top positions fit into that category. That said, that could also be that there is a higher than average amount of that category going into that field. They should not be passed over because they are not a minority. I am sure if I worked my entire lifetime and dedicated my whole life to my career I would not at all appreciate it at all being passed over because I was white or because I was a man. At the same time, you would not want to be passed over because you were a minority either.

Right, so for me that's where it comes down to the bending branch theory. Pushed so far one way it snaps and then arcs back and forth many times before coming to equilibrium.

It's just hard to assess where we are in society and so we come up with policies to help. I like ideals and guidelines rather than quotas, I guess.

The best for the job period.. but I do think that Condi Rice did a way better job than Hilary.
I think there are amazing women and minorities that can fill the offices just as well, if not better in some cases than white males.. heck the %age of women graduating from college is higher... why wouldn't you want someone well trained ..

Heck I would have totally voted a black guy for president if it was Walter Williams or Alan Keys!

I think there are great candidates all over the board, and there is no reason to hire anyone with.. oh say a criminal record.. like a treasury dept head.. in charge of the IRS with a history of tax fraud.. really.. come on.

Not to mention appointing Panetta to the CIA.. who had NO intelligence background!

It is all just a show these days, and we wonder why we have issues like the bombing in Bengahzi..


ETA--- NOT who OBAMA thinks is the most qualified.. he is a horrible judge... WHO IS more qualified

I think it should be who is most qualified, that being said it seems like there is a large amount of old white guys in the cabinet nominations right now. I can think of better candidates for the jobs, some minorities or woman, but I am sure the ones that I think could be better would not do well in the current white house.