I think your comparison to Lieberman's statements on emergency contraception is over-the-top, though, as that's an issue which has a very real, very negative impact on people's lives.
As for Republican appointments, I don't think that's a universally bad thing. Clinton has, I believe, mentioned that Colin Powell could play some kind of diplomatic role. But the top positions? No way. We have too many good Democrats (Wes Clark, Bill Richardson, and Joe Biden, to name just a few more prominent examples). And anyway, what have Lugar and Hagel done to uniquely qualify themselves?
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