FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has often talked about reaching out across the aisle if he becomes president.
And ABC News reports Obama is now naming names of some Republicans he'd consider putting in his cabinet.
Obama told voters at a town hall event in Manchester, New Hampshire, that it's premature to start announcing his cabinet and that he still has a long way to go. Nonetheless, some GOP names started to flow… including Senators Dick Lugar and Chuck Hagel along with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Of Lugar, Obama said he's worked with him before on issues of arms control, that he's somebody who embodies the tradition of a sensible bipartisan foreign policy.
Obama said Hagel is someone who has a "similar approach" and that he respects in a similar fashion.
And, when it comes to Schwarzenegger, Obama described what he's done on climate change in California as "important and significant", adding that the governor has taken leadership on a tough issue and that we haven't seen that kind of leadership in Washington.
Here’s my question to you: Does it make Barack Obama a more appealing candidate when he says he’d consider Republicans like Chuck Hagel and Arnold Schwarzenegger for his cabinet?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Nicholas from New York writes:
Jack, I think Barack Obama's desire to fill his cabinet with Republicans only points to the narrowing differences between the two major parties. I also think it is naive to think he would be able to control his agenda with members of the opposition at the highest levels inside the White House. I think it would be a big mistake.
Eric writes:
Jack, As an active-duty soldier in the Army, I am looking for America to elect someone who has broad appeal. While that may be asking a lot in the current highly-partisan environment, it says a lot about a candidate that he has not only pledged to reach across the aisle to improve cooperation to tackle America's problems, but that he is actually naming names of those he would like to work closely with in the opposing party.
Fah from Greenville, South Carolina writes:
He sounds like a little kid trying to get attention spitting out names prematurely, as he himself admitted. Why? He's casting a wide net to attract a broader scope of voters. Maybe a specific name will 'hit!" Sorry, bud. No experience for the job is still NO EXPERIENCE! Come back in 2020.
Cameron from Bloomingdale, Illinois writes:
It again shows Obama's ability to be inclusive and open-minded, something we haven't seen for the last three decades that I can personally remember.
Thomas from South Carolina writes:
Listing these Republicans by name was pretty substantive and specific. If only he would let that type of thing spill over into his actual platform. I don't think anyone knows what Obama really stands for, other than an overgeneralized promise of "change." Apparently, and unfortunately, that's good enough for some Americans.
Carol from Phoenix writes:
I am so sick of all these bozos, regardless of the party... it all sounds the same. The amount of money wasted on this election would be better served to pay down our national debt.
Maybe Jack will read yours tomorrow.