DHS (0.00 / 0)

I may be in the minority, but I never thought that the CREATION of the department was a bad idea, it just got messed up from day one of the execution. It certainly isn't a bad idea to force some of these agencies to work together, and I don't miss the days when private contractors were exclusively in charge of airport security. So here's hoping Napolitano can make it into something credible.

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by: thesleepthief @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 21:20:27 PM UTC

For the Greater Good.... (4.00 / 1)

If you lived in AZ, you'd be crying in your beer. For six years, she's been all that's stood between us and the Wingnut Armageddon.  

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by: William Timberman @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 21:24:56 PM UTC

How has she dealt with immigration? (0.00 / 0)

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by: david mizner @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 21:43:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm not from AZ (0.00 / 0)

but I thought the general consensus was that she's done a great job handling immigration. Back when she was considered a possible VP pick (and immigration reform was at the center of political discourse), her work in that area was often cited as a vital strength.  

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by: pacersfan @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 21:49:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Good, cause (0.00 / 0)

talk about an agency that needs reform: INS, yeesh.

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by: david mizner @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 21:54:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Corporate crack down (4.00 / 1)

A truism for years has been that illegal immigration is easy to stop; just crack down on the corporations that higher them.  Do that and all the human (and humane) issues almost disappear.

My understanding is this is exactly what Napolitano did.  It is too expensive for corporations to higher illegal immigrants in Arizona, so the mostly don't any more.

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by: Mark Matson @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 21:58:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yep (0.00 / 0)

What Mark said. Like Daschle on healthcare reform she's very knowledgeable about both the politics and policy of the issue.  My guess is this means Obama is going go try to get real immigration reform. If anyone could pull of healthcare reform it was Daschle, if anyone could pull off immigration reform it's Napolitano.  

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

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by: Populista @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 22:42:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Great to hear. (0.00 / 0)

This has been an approach as obvious as it is ignored. It's amazing that someone who actually gets it might run a major oversight agency. Still, I'd rather see her abolish the DHS than try to reform it -- something this halfassed is almost certainly beyond reform.

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by: DaveW @ Fri Nov 21, 2008 at 00:25:05 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

A loss for AZ? (0.00 / 0)

I like her too and I am glad that she will likely be chosen for that position. But I have recently heard rumors that she would challenge McCain in the 2010 midterm and that she was actually polling ahead of him right now (source: kos? TPM?)

Especially considering how close AZ was in the election this year, it seems like she was a Democrat who might have been able to inspire a real Democratic infrastructure there and maybe even turn it blue.

Still, its a pretty cool choice for DHS Sec.  

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by: brbuchwal @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 22:30:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Someone in the quick hits (4.00 / 1)

was pointing out that it would be waaay easier to be DHS for four years then challenge Jon Kyl than it would be to be Governor for two years then challenge John McCain. If this is somehow the plan I think there's some merit in it.

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by: mcc @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 22:50:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

McCain (4.00 / 1)

I'd also rather replace Kyl than McCain.  McCain's reputation has taken a huge hit and he knows it.  Fortunately, no one has perfected the art of reformations better than McCain.

My expectation is McCain will be one of our better allies on the Republican side.  All I really want from him is lack of filibuster support, so it isn't that hard for him, either, and the Versailles will love him for it, which is all McCain cares about.  Mavericy o'l McCain, breaking the filibuster.

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by: Mark Matson @ Fri Nov 21, 2008 at 03:50:03 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I agree (4.00 / 1)

She's not a diehard progressive but she is probably the most effective and popular governor in the country and one of the smartest politicians alive. She's a single women in her 50's so that always leads to rumors but if she's straight (or if she comes out and ends the rumors) then I really hope she runs for president down the line. Perhaps head DHS for two or three years then take out John Kyl in 2012, give a keynote speech along the way and run for president in 2016?

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

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by: Populista @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 22:45:12 PM UTC

good bye arizona (0.00 / 0)

this new job will get her out of the thankless task of cutting $1 billion out of her state budget.

on the other hand i don't think she will be able to run against mccain in 2010 if she takes this job.  maybe one of the younger democrat reps can step up?  if gabrielle gifford can start saying 'you betcha' and field clean some coyotes.....

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by: jim_vh @ Fri Nov 21, 2008 at 01:17:44 AM UTC