Change or monotony?

Many Republicans called him a socialist, some a Marxist, and prior to his run for presidency, many considered him the most liberal senator in Washington.

Now President-elect Barack Obama begins his transition into the Oval Office, and many conservatives wonder whether his cabinet appointments will reflect their predictions.

Is this the end of Democracy and capitalism, or is this the beginning of the “change” he so relentlessly campaigned for?

During these final weeks of Obama’s transition to the White House, it can be confusing and often mind-numbing to keep track of who is being appointed and to what position. So here is a quick rundown of the major appointments thus far to help bring those behind up to speed.

In a conference on Monday, Obama announced his appointment of adversary Sen. Hillary Clinton to secretary of state – a decision that most of us were predicting, although I really like that guy from New Mexico.

Former first lady, Clinton served as a New York senator, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and has been a leading pioneer for international women’s issues and human rights. Besides an appeasement for disappointed Clinton fans, Obama seems to have a capable and experienced leader in charge of the State Department.

Next up, a very unusual choice, Obama asked Robert Gates to stay on as secretary of defense. Typically wartime Pentagon chiefs serving under an unpopular administration are given the boot quicker than you can say “Guantanamo Bay.” Is this a good decision or bad decision? Well, considering Obama’s commitment to troop withdrawal from Iraq and Gate’s experience thus far with the war, I say it’s a well-thought-out decision. Having served the past two years as secretary of defense, Gates possesses an enormous amount of information and experience in the construction of an effective withdrawal strategy.

Next, Obama introduced retired Marine Gen. James Jones as his White House national security advisor. For those of you unfamiliar with Gen. Jones, he is a decorated combat veteran who has commanded at all levels of operation during his career, including Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of the United States European Command. Currently president and chief executive of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy, Jones has advised leaders and commanders on both sides of the aisle both militarily and politically.

Finally, Obama appointed former Justice Department official Eric Holder as attorney general and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as secretary of homeland security. Eric Holder is a veteran Washington lawyer who served as deputy attorney general during the Clinton Administration while Janet Napolitano served as attorney general in Arizona.

To some, the appointments come as a relief. Either way, new leadership is underway, and you’ve just met the “A Squad.” Keep in mind most of these appointments will have to wait for Senate approval.

However, with a democratic majority, I doubt there will be much fuss.