The measure of Obama's success will be based on his ability to turn swords into ploughshares. From the looks of it, he is filling his positions with some rather hawkish warriors. People who seem to prefer wielding a sword rather than pushing a ploughshare.

In yesterday's press conference he mentioned that change is still on the way and that the change buck begins and stops at him. If this is the case, then he has one heck of a job to get his change mandate implemented with these sword wielders.

His obvious plan is to take these swords and beat them into ploughshares. If he succeeds in doing this then we know beyond any shadow of doubt that this man has mastered the art of persuasion way beyond anything seen in modern times.

I for one am very happy with what he has done so far and who he has selected. Actually I am excited because I want to see this act of beating swords into ploughshares played out in the public square. I have every confidence that Obama will get it done.

If he gets it done, you know full well that the GOP will be in for a torrid time in election cycles to come. Good for them!