Olberman #2: KERRY Cabinet

[AVID]

I love this kind of talk!

[The Chronicler]

1. National Security Advisor - Richard Holbrooke

[Kolesar]

9. pro-war Holbrooke

He was as enthusiastic as Joe Lieberman for the attack on Iraq

[KharmaTrain]

63. Where Was That?

Holbrooke was in favor of overthrowing Hussein, but not by the means and methods used. Let's be clear on this one. I can't think of any Democrat who favored the bums rush invasion that took place.

Holbrooke, as many in the Clinton administration wanted to fund clandestine groups and let them do the job...unfortunately they got skunked in '96 when a Kurdish group that pledged they were against Hussein and got millions in our aid flipped sides and betrayed a ton of our agents. This is rarely reported. The only other alternative was Chalabi and his hoodlums, who I know Holbrooke detests.

The endgame on Iraq...and the Duelfer report showed it was working...was to slowly bleed Hussein into submission...which it had. While I hated the embargo for what it did to the Iraqi people, it would eventually be their choice as to keeping Saddam or not, not ours...and now we face the consequences of a foreign policy on crack.

Initially I liked Holbrooke at State but someone mentioned him as NSA, and I do like that fit better. Holbrooke isn't a "people person" like Biden, but has the immense contacts and international credibility on a Kissinger-level that could move things on many fronts quickly.

[priapis]

74. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

he's a bumbling softie.

he gave bushco many openings for sound bites over last week or so. he's not too swift.

[The Chronicler]

2. Secretary of Defense - Joseph Biden (D-DE)

[Iceburg]

3. Choosing Biden would leave a Senate seat open

[The Chronicler]

5. Delaware has a Dem governor I'm sure

[molly]

91. Joe has 2 sons groomed for the occasion

[The Chronicler]

4. Secretary of State - Gen. Wesley Clark (Ret.)

[Auntie Bush]

11. Go WES Go!

:bounce: :loveya:

[democracy eh]

30. Absolutely

if not I nominate Wes Clark as Patron Saint of DU

[Auntie Bush]

40. LOL--- We certainly did keep DU hopping during the prinaries!

[Sparkly]

48. Did Olberman say that?!

I think the General is a perfect choice! Did Olberman say it?

:bounce:

[incapsulated]

69. Please let him know something we don't know...

I would fucking die of happiness, lol.

Wes for SoS!

:)

[The Chronicler]

6. Secretary of the Treasury - Robert Rubin

[Spiffarino]

18. O Gawd, I hope so

Rubin was a great Treasury Sec for the Big Dawg. He may have been the smartest SecTreas in government history.

[I Lean Left]

20. I think they have Rubin in mind for

Chairman of the Federal Reserve. I think Greenspan's term is up in 2006. He could probably be pressured to leave sooner. Health, etc.

[The Chronicler]

22. Ohh, another good suggestion.

I'd like him as FED head also.

[Blaze Diem]

27. I'd like to see Buffet replace Greenspan

Rubin is another great choice though...

[debatepro]

50. Very nice!!!

good call. that way we can dominate economic policy.

[KC21304]

21. Been there, done that. He want's Greenspan's job.

[The Chronicler]

7. Press Secretary - Joe Lockhart

[nookiemonster]

8. Dr. Dean, Dept. of Health & Human Services

[AntiCoup2K4]

45. Not so sure about that.

Granted, as a doctor he's more than qualified for the position, but I see Howard Dean as being far more effective for all of us either running the FCC (and breaking up the corporate whores) or as DNC chair restoring the Democratic party.

How about Dr. JUDY Dean for HHS?

[ScreamingMeemie]

90. You said it AC!!! He deserves much, MUCH more!!!

:yourock:

[The Chronicler]

10. Attorney General - Eliot Spitzer

[debatepro]

13. L. Tribe

Would be my choice

[The Chronicler]

16. If it means E-Spitz in the Supreme Court, I'd agree.

[burythehatchet]

47. holy shit - I bet that's what Spitzer is looking at!! Gawd I hope so.

dude is a stud

[grasswire]

19. I saw Tribe on TV today...

...and I was surprised to see that he had aged quite a bit in the last four years.

[skordane]

88. I Second and third That

[debatepro]

12. Lets get some women and color in there.

if we are going with crackers(i am one) then lets pick chomsky and zinn.

[The Chronicler]

14. CIA Director - Sam Nunn (D-GA)

[NewJeffCT]

39. CIA - Bob Graham

replace fellow Floridian Goss

[HootieMcBoob]

98. Bob Graham is an excellent choice

For head of the CIA

[nookiemonster]

15. Al Gore - Department of Interior secretary

[amandabeech]

23. How about head of the EPA?

n/t

[nookiemonster]

25. Even better! Brain fart on my end.

[goclark]

26. Interior - Robert Kennedy Jr.

[Road Scholar]

33. Ditto. RK is the only one for that!!! nt

[goclark]

42. I agree for a number of reasons

The Kennedt family has given so much to the Democratic party.

Sen. Kennedy was a real force behind Kerry.

He is young and brilliant.

He is totally passionate about cleaning up our land.

He knows all the dirty tricks they have played with the corporations.

He has a Vision for the Future!

[The Chronicler]

17. Secretary of the Interior - Robert Kennedy Jr.

[I Lean Left]

24. Bubble busting time

Not one of the cabinet members will be anyone with presidential ambitions. Kerry has to know that they are serving his administration's interests and no others. Also, the presumption is that Edwards is being groomed and they probably have a private agreement not to have someone that could usurp his successor role down the line.

That would presumably leave out Dean, Biden, and Clarke. Gephardt would be safe at this point, but he's not interested.

Most of the cabinet will be people you never heard of before.

[FrenchieCat]

28. Please be careful...or the bubble you bust may be your own...

What you are saying is like saying Kerry didn't picked his EX-RIVAL John Edwards for VP!

You are wrong with your faulty lithmus test which curiously excludes Dick Gephardt.

John Kerry better put who is most qualified where they need to be. If it is an ex-Presidential Candidate....so be it.

Your theory smells like an old potato at the bottom of the vegetable basket in the fridge.....stinks.

[mikehiggins]

34. Presidential ambitions?

Every so often people in this country have to rise to the occasion, and this is one of them. Dean, Clark, Gephardt would be assets to any Cabinet. Are they all consumed with the desire to be President? Probably not. Would they work AGAINST Kerry for their own personal interests? Definitely not.

Reading your post I suspect you really don't sense just how far gone this nation has slipped towards the end of democracy in our lifetime. I think the guys mentioned do. I'd like to see them all in positions of power, working to undo what has happened under Bush's watch. If Kerry can't see the need for drastic and courageous actions like that, he's doomed from the outset and we'll have to do this all over again in four years.

Clark for Homeland Security
Dean for FCC Commissioner
Graham for Intelligence Czar
Holbrooke for NSA chief
RFK Jr for EPA chief
Clinton for Sec'y State (really drive the Freepers wacky!)
A native american for Interior Secretary (you know there are some out there who will make the big logging and mining interests crap in their boots)
Spitzer for AG
Rubin to replace Greenspan
Plenty of Dems out there to fill all the jobs without pulling anyone out of the Senate or the House.

[Maeven8pol]

53. Dean for Chairman, Democratic National Committee

Because he would energize the base. I'd LOVE to see Howard Dean use the next 4 years speaking to the local Dems. He would fire up and organize the grass roots. Jeb would have NO SHOT in his lifetime with Howard Dean as DNC Chair.

[calimary]

55. That's EXACTLY where Howard Dean should go. He's already healed

the sick. Now it's time to raise the dead.

[madfloridian]

59. Funny! LOL

I doubt it though. Have you noticed how Terry Mac perked up and started talking out after Howard Dean came on the scene? T Mac sounds so different than he used to on TV. He does not pander to the right anymore.

Dean has that effect, sort of forces others to be better than they were. It is a good thing.

[I Lean Left]

54. You're talking about political people in policy positions

That would be repeating the same mistakes Bush made. Yes, we should have the most qualified person heading up each department. That's rarely a politician. If you think about Clinton's administration, he had hardly any politicos in his cabinet.

I'd like to see a return to normalcy. Bush has politicized every aspect of government, to the point that cabinet members and the NSA are campaigning for him.

I like Graham and Clark and Dean also, but that doesn't mean they should be shoe-horned into a cabinet position. Also remember that they would also need to be confirmed. Picking someone less obviously political might use up less capital early in the administration. Why get into those fights when you have bigger goals?

[I Lean Left]

56. I'd be shocked

I'd be shocked if there were anyone from your list other that Holbrooke and Rubin in Kerry's cabinet.

[dansolo]

35. I agree, to an extent

I don't think Dean is interested in a cabinet position. That would severely limit his ability to continue to work on changing the Democratic Party. I also am unsure about Clarke's political aspirations, though his would definitely be a strong asset for Kerry. I completely agree about Biden. I don't want to see him anywhere near a Kerry administration. I don't trust him or his personal agenda.

[Eurobabe]

75. and it's CLARK to you, not CLARKE

as in Wes Clark

[terrya]

29. Wes Clark would actually make a great White House Chief of Staff.

A military man, who can enforce discipline in the Kerry White House.

White House Chief of Staff is a powerful position in any administration...and the good general would be superb. :-)

[goclark]

31. Sure would

He could help to keep us safer while he is so close to the President.

He would have the ear of Kerry and Edwards all day long.

[Bluebear]

32. Lockhart, Chief of Staff

[drdigi420]

36. Tommy Chong for Drug Czar

[debatepro]

49. best suggestion yet

nice. i like your style

[NewJeffCT]

37. Bill Clinton promised us a cabinet that looks like America...

And, I see a lot of good names on here, but all white males.

This has been going on for months online, and other than an occasional facetious reference to Al Sharpton replacing Scott McClellan, I don't see many non-white or non-males on the list.

[A Simple Game]

58. I said it before on another thread,

Al as press secretary would be a so much fun to watch!

[TankLV]

64. Al Sharpton as Press Secretary! YES! That would be soooo great!

Yes! Yes! YES!

[A Simple Game]

65. I can't imagine many reporters getting the best of him. eom

[girl gone mad]

66. I really hope..

Kerry considers him. I know some people think it's a joke, but I think Sharpton would be perfect for the job.

[A Simple Game]

67. True,

Sharpton is, well sharp.

[TransitJohn]

38. Big Dog

Ambassador to the UN.

[n2mark]

41. Disagree with me Du if you want

Al Sharpton should be given a position.... love to see him answer the press. Yes, Helen Thomas come sit in front, Fox go stand in the hallways, CNN, is there a CNN? MSNBC? please sit in the back. It is payback time to the press and what better outspoken person can do this?

I'm sure Teresa will press to have a woman in his cabinet!

[goclark]

43. There MUST be African Americans that are visible

African Americans that are admired...

What we have hated as African Americans is that the Bush family has used us with Poppy's Clarence, Jr's Colin, Condi and Paige. They are not representing African Americans, they are serving their Master, Bush.

When the crap hits the fan, Colin and Condi will take the heat for this failed administration. The Chimp will walk.

In the Kerry Administration, we want true representatives,real African American role models that our children can be proud of.

I believe that Susan Rice should have a very important position with Kerry. She is on his team now. First class all the way.

Charles Rangel, if he wishes, MUST be included in the decision making of this administration.

Carol Mosley Braun was outstanding during the primaries and beyond.

Jesse Jackson Jr. should be considered if he wants to leave Congress.
Harold Ford Jr., Cynthia McKinney, Maxine Waters, Meeks and all of the Black Caucus that will put him in office should be rewarded and respected.

Coretta Scott King, if she would like, should have an Ambassadorship.

Dr. Johnetta Cole, past President of Spellman College is brilliant
Dr. Maupin, President of Meharry Medical School is top notch.

To be continued....

[Gore1FL]

68. You forgot Maxine Waters!

She was my first choice for VP.

[goclark]

87. Maxine has been my friend for years!

She is one powerful and dynamic woman and she deserves a seat at anyone's table!

Sorry if I left her off,I was just trying to get names quickly.

[NewJeffCT]

70. thank you for the list

I like CMB, but what would she be qualified for? What about Charles Rangel? I've long admired him, but for Veterans Affairs maybe?

How about Susan Rice? What would you recommend her for?

Other than the folks the ran in the primaries, I'm not too familiar with many top Democrats - minority or otherwise.

[jfk2004]

73. COLIN POWELL was plenty admired

and no there need not be any african americans on the cabinet. I hate this kind of attitude. There should be people that best fit a particular position. I trust John Kerry to find the right guy.

[goclark]

86. You used the right word "WAS"

He certainly "was" admired before Bush selected and "used" him.

Who are you to suggest that there need not be any African Americans on his cabinet! I did notice your small number of posts and that gives me a hint who you are.

If Kerry gets in office it will be , in large part, because of the the African Americans that have been working for this party for years.

If you recall MM's film, it was the brave African Americans in congress that stood up on the House Floor to fight for the rights of Americans.

I am a strong supporter of Kerry. I believe he is a good and honest man and I'm sure that he will do the right thing.

I am a bit tired of people wanting to make sure that African Americans get out and vote and then we become INVISIBLE when it comes to having a seat at the table AFTER the election.

I speak not just as a minority but as a woman as well.

This government needs to reflect the faces of America, women, the disabled, young, minorities (not face holders like Colin and Condi)poor, rich, ugly, beautiful. We are all God's children!

[dolstein]

46. A few of my picks for Kerry's cabinet

Secretary of State: Richard Holbrooke
Secretary of the Treasury: Robert Rubin
Attorney General: Eric Holder (alternate pick: William Weld)
Secretary of Defense: Sam Nunn
Secretary of Labor: Richard Gephardt
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Howard Dean
Director of Office, Management and Budget: Warren Rudman
Director of Central Intelligence: Thomas Kean (alternate pick: Lee Hamilton)
Director of Homeland Security: Bob Kerrey

Ok, it's overwhelmingly white (Holder is the only minority) and male. I think Jeanne Shaheen might end up with a cabinet position, but I'm still hoping she'll get that Senate seat that was stolen from two years ago.

[FrenchieCat]

52. Wow....

General Wes Clark didn't make your list.

This means that I don't like your list.

[fob]

97. Having Lee "Whitewash" Hamilton anywhere NEAR a Kerry cabinet

list, eliminates the posters credibility, in MY opinion.

[Bombtrack]

81. No, that isn't necessary. Al is fine I'm sure staying in New York

The guy is all about media and New York social activism, not the grind of day-to-day policy work. It would be irresponsible to hire someone who's so constantly tardy.

[babylonsister]

95. Al won't be available.

I've heard he has a new TV show he's involved in.

[madfloridian]

44. I seriously doubt Dean will be a part of it.

His views no longer suit those of the party powers that be. I really don't think he will have a role there. Of course one never knows, but I doubt it.

Remember, he did not just speak out, he actually crossed the leadership. No matter how he governed in VT, forget that. He crossed the leadership, and they are the ones who began using the word "liberal" and "anti-war" and "fringe" to attack him.

He has a large core group of support still, and we can still change things by working with other groups who feel we are going the wrong way as a country with our imperialism. And who knows about the future?

The movement and change won't stop, but the current DLC leadership does not hold warm fuzzy feelings for Howard Dean.

[IdaBriggs]

51. 2 Clarks I Love -- Wes & Richard -- put them both someplace, please! nt

[atre]

57. We're in for a terrible PR disaster if...

the Cabinet is this white and this male. The Cabinet should "look like America."

[DaveinMD]

61. the Kerry folks

know other names that are less famous for the cabinet. But let's keep our eyes on the prize.

[Stinky The Clown]

60. The real problem we Dems have is

a wealth of talent and a dearth of slots in which to put them. I can see good in all the suggestions so far, but come on, let's think this through. The White Rich Male profile will NOT cut it. America is much more than that. There are, I am certain, hundreds of choices for cabinet positions.

Among the primary candidates, who's been more supportive of Kerry/Edwards than the general? Is he ambitious? Sure. But remember, he ran only after being drafted. His has been a life of loyal service to his country and he has shown himself to be a stalwart and indefatigable supporter of the ticket and the party.

The rest of the candidates? Good men and women to the last of them. Talented and smart. Deserving? Yes.

But there are so many more. Just by way of example, who knew the name Lani Guinier (sorry if I mangled the spelling) until the Dawg nominated her?

I have no doubt whatever that we can find ten people who can shine in any post that needs filling. Someone said that the cabinet should look like America. I heartily agree. And lets show some real balls in this, too ..... how about an openly gay nominee? A Naitive American? An avowed atheist? Pick those who are qualified to the highest degree for whatever specialty the post needs, but go outside the norm. Celebrate diversity and quality. Let's show America and the world what "inclusive" means. Eshchew the sterotypical. Think Jocelyn Elder.

This is not your father's America ..........

[Confident]

100. The real real problem is that Repub Senate is going to fight every Cabinet

nominee out of spite - remember that Clinton had a Dem Senate when he selected his Cabinet and current Bush had a Rep Senate when he chose Ashcroft etc.

No such luck for JFK. I'm not expecting a load of bipartisanship beginning next January.

[Cats Against Frist]

62. I want Mario Cuomo to get a shot at something

of course he's probably making much more at his law firm than if Kerry gave him a job. Maybe the Supreme Court? I love that man -- he's kept my spirits lifted during the long dark pukefest that is the Bush presidency.

[theHandpuppet]

84. I'd really like to see him on the Supreme Court

... but I wonder if the Repukes would ever approve his nomination.

[MsTryska]

92. ooooh..Cuomo as a Supreme....

how cool would that be?

[Confident]

101. as cool for us as Bork would have been cool for Reagan - and

about as likely

[theHandpuppet]

71. Where are the women and people of color?

I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same. (sigh) Åmerica looks into the mirror and finds the image of just another rich white guy.

[davhill]

72. Nominate some

I believe that Braun will be in the administration. She earned a lot of respect in the primary debates.

[theHandpuppet]

82. Eleanor Holmes Norton of DC...

Gov Bill Richardson of New Mexico
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend of Maryland
Governor Gary Locke of Washington State
US Rep. Harold Ford of Tennessee

There's quite a long list to choose from -- it's not really that hard to fashion a list of appointments that isn't just another group of rich Anglo white men.

[davidinalameda]

93. no to all 4

Locke was a horrible governor

Ford voted for the anti-gay marriage amendment

KKT ran a horrible campaign for governor in Maryland

Richardson needs to stay in New Mexico--he would be crucified in a Repuke controlled senate

[kurt_cagle]

99. Locke was not a horrible governor

Locke is a very centrist Democrat, in the Clinton mold. He avoided a lot of the histrionics of past governors on both sides (Dixie Lee Ray comes to mind) and he managed to balance a very complex set of interests off one another. His forte is trade, and I would actually love to see him in the same position that Robert Reich held during the Clinton administration.

[humanbeing]

77. heh..

What is that Swedish Å doing there? :)

[theHandpuppet]

83. Beats me...

That's never happened before. So that's a Swedish "A"?

[humanbeing]

102. Yes.

It's pronounced more like the O in HOLD.

[noonwitch]

89. Dennis Archer for AG

Former Detroit Mayor, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice. Gore would have probably picked him, Archer was pretty tight with the Clinton administration and the city benefitted from that in major ways (money for more cops, empowerment zone money for targetted neighborhoods).

[humanbeing]

76. Nader, new Cabinet level Dept of Toilet Sterilization...

...and Window Clarity Maintenance.

Oh, and Dept of Seatbelt Testing.

[Confident]

78. Which Cabinet posts require Congressional approval?

[terrya]

79. Carol Moseley Braun for HUD Secretary.

At the risk of seemingly putting all of his rivals in his Cabinet, Moseley Braun would make a good HUD Secretary.

[Bombtrack]

80. If she helps win Ohio for us, Jennifer Palmieri for Press Seceratary

I met her at an Edwards rally. Extremely charming and compitent.

Considering that Kerry's cabinet will probably heavily male and white, it would be good to have a female face (an attractive one I might add) as the conduit to the press and the people. She'd be a better choice than Lockhart in my opinion, who'd be a good communications director.

[in_cog_ni_to]

85. Wes Clark Secretary of State. n/t

[davidinalameda]

94. I'd love to see Wes at State

[DemExpat]

96. My pick too!

:kick:

DemEx