When it comes to president-elect Obama choosing his new cabinet members, is it acceptable for a democrat to choose republicans to be part of his team or would this be frowned upon or taboo?

It’s been done.

I think it would be a great idea. It would show that he’s really trying to bring the country together.

I’m fine with it. I just hope he picks the best person for the job. There are tons of qualified Republicans. And I say that as a lefty that who leans towards Socialist.

I like the show taboo..I don’t know ANYTHING about politics obviously someone teach me.

I agree…as long as it’s the best person for the job, I’m all for it.

It would definitely show that he was ‘bridging the gap’, if they’re qualified and not insane, more power to them.

i think its wise, why not?

we all should work together as Americans anyways, right?

it’s actually expected that Obama will put one republican in his cabinet. It will show his dedication to bipartisanship. It is possible that it may be a former cabinet member from a previous administration as well. Check out any of the articles from the new York times the past week on speculation towards the Obama cabinet.

As long as they can overcome their differences in ideology, no reason they can’t work well together. Just like you (or anyone) can be productive with co-workers that don’t share your political views.

If Obama uses Lincoln as his model, and he has said he does look up to him, he will put some Republicans, i.e. the opposite party, on his staff or in his Cabinet. Lincoln created what Doris Kearns in her eponymous book calls a Team of Rivals, with some of his fiercest critics and rivals as Cabinet members. He would listen to all their opinions and then make up his mind. I doubt that Obama would pick McCain or arch conservatives for his Cabinet but there has been talk of Chuck Hagel or Dick Lugar, two capable Republican senators, possibly being chosen. It is also possible that he will keep Robert Gates on as Secretary of Defense.

~ I think he should choose Sarah Palin as Secretary of State, just to show that there are no hard feelings.

Maybe. Like if they made him Secretary of Squirrel Housing and Furry Needs.

I have heard the names Chuck Hagel and Colin Powell bandied about, both good choices, both Republicans.

@SuperMouse. While I realize Colin Powell is a Republican, I don’t think that hard core Reps will see that as leaning all the way across the aisle as Powell endorsed Obama….

@Bluefreedom, Obama called GOP leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday night while Mitch McConnell was grocery shopping.” I have to add emphasis to that because, despite being married to the Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao, which makes for a busy Washington life, McConnell spends a lot of time in Kentucky, AND does the household grocery shopping.

It will be interesting to see how this working relationship evolves.

It’s not taboo at all. I fully expect him to have one or two in his cabinet. It’s been surmised that he’s likely to keep on Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense.

I think it would be a great idea.

(eponymous; swoon)

ooh, ooh – I got a swoon from Gail.

Serendipitous or supercilious??

Oh snap, Jan.

@janbb- I had read that to. I really hope he does. It would be a great way to start his 4 years (12 years? :-) ) . I think he is smart enough to choose the right person.

@Bri Even Obama is limited to a max of 2 terms/8 years. :)

EEEEP sorry I was thinking reelected in 12.

sorry all.

I think it’s a good idea. The only thing I would worry about is whether they could actually work with the administration toward common goals or merely follow their own obstructionist party line and exacerbate the problems even further.

At this point, I think the question is moot, to say the least.