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There is a common thread running through Obama's appointments. The people he has chosen tend to be competent, hard-working, and experienced in government. With the notable exception of Larry Summers, they all "play well with others" which is important to no-drama Obama. This congeniality factor, though, has its drawbacks. Few of his appointees will likely think outside the box. Few will propose bold, imaginative solutions to the country's staggering problems at a time where this is what is called for. But just as importantly, they are extremely unlikely to change the corrupt ways of doing the nation's business. They are not the types of individuals who take professional risks to promote fundamental change in our hugely dysfunctional political culture. It will business as usual, I'm afraid, with powerful corporations and lobbying groups determining policies in the end. I may be wrong and this may play out differently. But there are troubling signs that his trademark caution has caused Obama to go with the safe and predictable choices, and in this way undermine his own mandate for change.
