By Falana Fray
I voted for change, not continuity, but who cares what I think.
In her book, "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln," acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin describes how Lincoln basically pulled in all the people who had been running against him into his cabinet because he was more concerned about "How can we get this country through this time of crisis?"
In turn, Lincoln appointed three of his rivals for the GOP presidential nomination to his Cabinet-three men who at the time loathed him. William H. Seward became Secretary of State, Salmon P. Chase became Secretary of the Treasury, and Edward Bates became Attorney General.
Another former rival, Edwin Stanton-who once called Lincoln a "long armed ape"-became Secretary of War.
Lincoln's reasoning: "We needed the strongest men. These were the very strongest men. I had no right to deprive the country of their services."
"With malice toward none, with charity for all...let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds," President Lincoln said on March 4, 1865.
As I read Goodwin's book, I wondered if "Team of Rivals" served as President-elect Barack Obama's "guidepost for his presidency." Was he planning to emulate Lincoln's political genius when it came to having "dissenting voices" in his administration?
"I think it reflects a great inner strength on Obama's part that he is seriously considering creating a team of rivals as Lincoln did," Goodwin told the Associated Press on Friday, Nov. 14.
"By surrounding himself with people who bring different perspectives, he will increase his options, absorb dissenting views and heighten his ability to speak empathetically to people on different sides of each issue. The challenge, of course, is to ensure that the discussions do not become paralyzing, and that once a decision is made, the inner circle accepts that the time for debate is over," she said.
In fact, Obama and Abraham Lincoln share some similarities. Both served in the Illinois legislature. Both rose from obscurity as lawyers to prevail over gifted rivals of national reputation to become president and the most important similarity, like Lincoln, President Obama plans to gather a "team of rivals."
Joe Klein reported in Time magazine that "Obama is particularly intrigued by the notion that Lincoln assembled all the Republicans who had run against him for President in his war cabinet, some of whom disagreed with him vehemently and persistently."
"The lesson is to not let your ego or grudges get in the way of hiring absolutely the best people," said Obama. "I don't want to have people who just agree with me. I want people who are continually pushing me out of my comfort zone."
Obama said he'd be particularly interested in having high-ranking Republicans advising him on defense and national security, possibly keeping on Republican Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, or appointing Sen. John McCain. Perhaps former Secretary of State Colin Powell is on his shortlist.
Already, news is circulating that Obama is considering Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for Secretary of State. Now, I have enormous respect for Sen. Clinton, who has proven herself to be a "Bull" fighter. Madame Secretary? Bear in mind, the Secretary of State will be the face of Obama's America as the country tries to re-brand itself internationally.
The world wants change, not recyclables. If Obama wants Clintonite Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President Bill Clinton, would be a better candidate for the job, but who cares what I think, right?
As for the White House transition team, Obama tapped John Podesta, President Clinton's former White House Chief of Staff to head the "changing of the guards" and former Clinton aide, Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, signaling that Obama sought out "two of the hardest-hitting veterans of the Clinton administration, known for their deep Washington experience, savvy and no-holds-barred approach to politics," according to NewsHour on PBS.
However, "neither is considered a practitioner of the 'new politics' that Mr. Obama promised on the campaign trail to bring Republicans and Democrats together."
Paul Begala, a veteran of the Clinton administration, put it bluntly: "[Rahm's] got this pair of big brass balls, and you can just hear 'em clanking when he walks down the halls of Congress. The Democratic party is full of Rhodes scholars-Rahm is a road warrior." Even his own mother calls him by his nickname of "Rahmbo."
I think it would behoove Obama to recruit a balance of smart newcomers as well as experienced veterans at a time of intense economic and national security challenges. This team would guide him through the transition process to real change.
Let's not forget, it was 33 percent of the youth vote that helped Obama win the election.
So far, the President-elect has clear judgment, potential and goodwill surrounding him to be one of the greatest American presidents in history as he has successfully soared above and beyond our expectations.
Perhaps Obama's "team of rivals" isn't such a bad thing. "Better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside pissing in," as President Lyndon B. Johnson said.
Falana Fray, class of 2005, is a freelance writer living in New York. You may e-mail her at
fbfray@yahoo.com.