As an American I am slightly discomfited that the World Cup is not coming to the US in the next decade, but then again, it's not going to India, any country in Africa or South America, or Indonesia. Those are all much bigger supporters currently of football and they don"t see any reward either. With over 200 countries in the world (and at least 30 capable of hosting) and a series played only once every for years it's no surprise the US has to stand in line.

I'm sorry, but i just can't get on this bandwagon, even if it is true. Why? Because the consequence of Obama leaving is worse than his presence. Joseph Biden would take over..

Could you please clarify the request? Do want just former Bush department heads (such as Robert Gates), carry-overs in the Federal Reserve, other appointments requiring Senate approval, judicial appointments and people who have merely moved from one administrative position to another (at levels below requiring Senate approval). Of greater concern are those folks who have been put into positions usual requiring Senate approval but are being by-passed for scrutiny by creation of "czar" offices. To call them advisors is a sleight of hand. Far too many are radical in background and intent and they will be allowed free rein with administrative rules.

Those of us who have held public office know that legislation is a template. The real power cones in the translation into "administrative rules."

Did you catch how the Obama administration is going to encourage personal savings by adjusting limits to current mechanisms, without a single vote at any level? As lofty as the effort may be it underscores the point that administrative rules run the country, at all levels of government.

As for a clean sweep, it won't happen. Too many are Bush carryovers or lifelong activists who have finally got a taste of real power.

Wait, wait. The article goes on to say, "...White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said only that Jones "continues to work in the administration."

The only thing that has changed is his title and maybe his payroll listing. He will continue to pull the strings on the same issues, and will still operate without ever receiving any Congressional approval.

Not a lib, not a conservative. Just a citizen who thinks a lot of our problems are demographic and may not be solvable in the short term because...

1) A major element of the current financial "crisis" was started a decade ago as an effort to force certain lending practices to "help" those who wouldn't qualify under normal free market conditions.
2) It collapsed in the face of an aging population that came to the time when down-sizing was a natural option to prepare for retirement. There were about 70-80 million baby-boomers, but they only had 40 million kids. No one to sell all those homes to, so the home values began to plummet. Plummeting values exposed a jerry-rigged apparatus of various "new" devices for lending (even stock is a form of lending of capital), most based on an overly optimistic grading of risk (Strike One)
3) Investors got wise to the fact the onslaught of "boomers" would be re-trenching in their purchasing habits (like all retirees do) and it would mean reduced earnings for corporations. (Strike Two)
4) It became apparent the "green movement" is succeeding in creating a mood of "less is better" among the youth (which is probably a correct approach) causing further reduced demand for products well into the future. (Strike Three)

The result of these three pressures (and a myriad of lesser ones) is a long, slow, transition lasting as much as a decade, and perhaps longer.

BTW, many of these same pressures are occurring world-wide.