What are the pros and cons of using patronage to fill government positions?

One of the pros of the patronage relationship existed between our current democratic president, Barack Obama and former democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Between 2008 and 2011, President Barack Obama was met with little or no opposition in his role at the White House with Pelosi at his beck and call. During this cozy relationship, he was provided with the necessary political support, encouragement, privilege and the political backing necessary to help him accomplish his goals as our first African-American president of the United States!

However, An example of the cons of patronage is the behavior of the now current Republican and Speaker of the House, John Boehner. Since he was voted in, things have changed dramatically. Our first African-American president was met and is still being met with resistance and ridicule. Boehner, Republicans and Tea party members are doing their best to ensure the President is met with mockery, embarrassment and disrespect unwarranted of a man, let alone, the President of the United States of America. Recently, House Speaker John Boehner's wrote a very politely worded letter to President Obama asking that he push his state of the union address back to a later date. Prior to that, Boehner walked away from negotiations involving a $3.5 trillion over 10 year spending cut.