I have been concerned about this as well. Taking so many senior people out of their old roles to serve in the administration means junior replacements and a loss of institutional knowledge.

Aren't you the guy now "sympathetic" to President Bush because of the "undeserved" shoe throwing? For some reason I can no longer see that article on this site, but as of the last time I saw it, we'd never gotten an explanation or apology.

Exactly why should we take anything you say seriously?

From his first appointments, I have been thinking that Obama is doing the wrong thing here with these choices - not just Senators, but the governors too. Not that these people aren't great for the jobs - they are. But they're not the only ones who could do the cabinet jobs equally well (if not better in a couple cases) with someone who isn't in elective office.

I would think Obama would realize that these people can do the country more good staying in the office they're in and continuing to build the kind of record that lets us turn the country blue on a long-term basis. It's at least as important - no! moreso! - to build Democratic power in the legislative branch, maintain it across the country, and do everything we can to put the Republicans down for a long count.

It's almost time to scream "Enough Already!!"

Ken Salazar was one of the Gang of 14, together with Lieberman, Mary Landrieu, Mark Pryor and Ben Nelson - the usual group who break ranks to vote with the Republicans. Moving him to Interior means we might actually get a more progressive replacement in the Senate chamber.

I realize that on the one hand it's hard to turn down a presidential appointment, but no one is forcing Salazar or Clinton to leave (and really, Salazar not a huge loss. He's been in less than one term, so not really a "senior" member). So it just seems odd to me for people to complain that Obama is somehow stealing away senators.

Other senators (and governors) who have had their names floated publicly have done just that. For example, Sen. Jeff Bingaman was floated a while back as a possible energy secretary and basically said "thanks, but no thanks, I'm quite happy where I am." Which makes sense for him. As chair of the energy committee he'll get to write some very important legislation next year. Gov. Sebelius and Gov. Rendell have done the same.

And in each case, the Dems will likely get to hold the seats thanks to Democratic governors making appointments (obviously, Illinois is now up in the air). The Napolitano appointment was one that surprised me a little though because she will be replaced by a Republican.

It's nice to know that the political map is playing less than institutional knowledge in regards to cabinet appointments. Obama is choosing thoroughly tested administrators, executives and legislators whose knowledge of both writing the law and executing the law will be essential to his plans.

We mustn't forget that the government has grown in the last eight years - and has suffered demoralization through underfunding of essential programs and personnel shortfalls. President Elect Obama needs as much brain power, will power, and sheer know-how as he can get or he'll face the devastation of failed policies early and often.

And honestly - looking at how congress works - can anyone argue that it doesn't need new blood?

1) Finding appropriate replacements for these senators is important, yes. But Schaller shouldn't imply that that is harder because there are four of them. Though these are important jobs, they are not national searchers. Each will come from the appropriate state. Four searches, yes, but none of them is any harder for the existance of the others.

2) Schaller's logic implies that companies that have decent diversity at one level (local managers, for example) should not promote them (to regional manager, for example) because that will hurt diversity at the lower level. It sounds like Schaller LOVES the glass ceiling.

3) Salazar is a first term senator. Clinton is a second term senator. Obama is a first a first term senator. How much institutional knowledge is that, really? Sure, Biden's been in the senate forever. But Salazar? Is he really such a great loss to that august body?

And then there are the people who think that these folks could do more good in the senate than in the executive branch. Because we know how effectively the senate sets the agenda, forces the debate and makes policy. Yeah. That's it.

Gov. Richardson's replacement is Lt. Gov. Diane Denish. She's going to be the first female Governor in the (albeit short) history of the State of New Mexico.

Hmm... now where will we find an experienced Democratic legislator who grew up in the rural part of the state who has enough name recognition to get re-elected when Ken Salazar's seat is up? How about John Salazar?

I know "all in the family" isn't ideal, but one reality of the newly blue Colorado is that you have to have rural roots to win statewide office.