Some of my preferences for an Obama cabinet

[dansolo]

Vice President: Brian Schweitzer

Attorney General: Patrick Fitzgerald
Secretary of Labor: John Edwards
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Howard Dean
Secretary of Homeland Security: Gary Hart

Brian Schweitzer just complements Obama perfectly, and they have very similar attitudes on governance. They would make an outstanding team, and he could appeal to the demographics that Obama is weak with (rural voters).

I realize that some people envision John Edwards as Attorney General, and perhaps that is the role that he wants, but if we are going to take his campaign as genuine, then he could do more to fight poverty as Secretary of Labor. I also like the idea of having a non-partisan as Attorney General. Patrick Fitzgerald would be a great choice, because of his ability and experience.

Howard Dean, with his background as a doctor and handling health care issues as governor of Vermont, would be great in HHS.

The Department of Homeland Security was proposed based on the recommendations of Gary Hart. He is the obvious choice to head it.

And, with the exception of Schweitzer, none of these are current office holders.

[gateley]

1. I like your list a lot --

I REALLY like your slot for Dean.

Why did you pick Gary Hart for Homeland Security?

[LSparkle]

6. He and (?) Rudman headed the Hart-Rudman commission on terrorism

Their report came out during either 1999 or 2000 and specifically
warned about the rise of al-Qaeda ... If RatBastard hadn't been
so "anything but Clinton" in his attitude, they could have learned
a lot from that report.

(I may have gotten the name of the commission or the timeframe
wrong, but Gary Hart has been involved in anti-terrorism work
for quite some time.)

[gateley]

10. Thanks -- didn't know that.

Okay - so send you list to Obama and tell him he needs to look no further. :7

[newmajority]

2. I have a problem with Fitzgerald as AG

Now that Scotty the Duck's book has confirmed what many of us knew all along, it's ridiculous to believe that Fitzgerald could not have done more than convict Scooter of some minor obstruction charge that he knew Chimpy would let him off the hook for.

The next Attorney General must be willing to go after the Bush Crime Family. I can see Edwards doing so. Not Fitzgerald, because he had his chance, and didn't do so.

[terrya]

13. As a resident of Illinois...leave Fitzgerald where he is.

He may have to indict our asshole, ethically challenged Governor in a year or so. Of course, Blagojevich may be impeached before that.

[madrchsod]

16. i see madigan is going after him...

who`s worse terrya-the democrats or the republicans?

or is it a toss-up! :rofl:


:hi:

[terrya]

29. Lisa Madigan would make a fine Governor

If Obama is elected in November, that leaves a Senate seat that Blagojevich would have to fill. If I were Blagojevich (thank God I'm not), I'd be sorely tempted to appoint Madigan for that Senate seat. Otherwise, I dearly hope she runs against Blagojevich in the primary in 2010...if Blagojevich is still around.

The way things are now...I truly have buyer's remorse with Blagojevich now. Part of me actually thinks that Judy Baar Topinka would have been better than that ethically challenged creep we're saddled with right now.

[LSparkle]

3. We need to leave Dr. Dean as party chairman (IMHO)

He's done a great job with the 50-state strategy (which inspired
Obama to victory). I'd still offer AG to Edwards first but agree
about somehow utilizing Gary Hart in the national security arena
(along with Richard Clarke).

[dansolo]

8. Dean has already said he will step down if a Democrat is elected

I don't want to see his talent wasted.

[LSparkle]

19. I hadn't heard that ... well, then HHS might be a great fit for him

I'm sorry to see him go as party chairman, though --
it's a role he performed VERY well ... and he has
contributed SO much in that position.

Does he want the VP slot maybe? (I didn't think
he was even in the mix but now that he may be, I'm
getting all excited ... He was governor of Vermont
for HOW many terms?)

[gkhouston]

4. Do we need a Department of Homeland Security? Is it really accomplishing

anything positive? Seems like it's eaten up tons of money and caused endless amounts of grief for folks both in and out of the government without providing much benefit.

[democrattotheend]

5. I think John Kerry should be Secretary of State

He would be terrific in that role, and he's earned it. He got on board with Obama back when he was still the underdog. He should be rewarded for taking a risk.

[LSparkle]

7. Agreed. Kerry is the picture of a diplomat .. it's in his blood

Plus with Teresa at his side -- watch out; charm offensive
underway to rehabilitate our image abroad!

[postulater]

14. We's surely get the French on our side.

[LSparkle]

24. Vous avez oublie :sarcasm: ...

Nous avons su deja tout cela ...

[quiller4]

9. I'm with you about Edwards

but I don't like the choices of Fitzgerald or Hart.
Some of my choices:

AG: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
Health and Humans Services: Congresswoman Lois Capps, founder of the Congressional Nursing Caucus
Homeland Security: Congressman Bennie G. Thompson

[dansolo]

12. Why do you have a problem with Hart?

If you are going to have a Department of Homeland Security, why not use the guy who devised it?

[rucky]

11. Here's my cabinet pick:

[ecstatic]

15. I think John Kerry should be in it somewhere too nt

[elfin]

17. I like him - But am thinking about the buttons, yard signs etc.

What "looks good"?

Obama/ Schweitzer doesn't make it in these graphic times.

Kidding a bit - but on a very immature level, these things can matter.

On the other hand, Obama/Clark, Obama Webb, and a yard sign long shot Obama/Richardson could have appeal.

Or just OBAMA! (who needs to mention a VP?)

[PBS Poll-435]

18. Department of Math -

Grantcart

[redsoxrudy]

20. Good picks

for the most part. Mine would be close.

VP:Schweitzer
AG: Edwards
HS: Hart
State: Bill Richardson
Labor: Robert Reich
HHS: Dean

I think State would be a toss up between Biden and Richardson but Richardson would get it because he really caught hell for endorsing Obama when he did.

[TahitiNut]

21. Dr. Susan Rice ... National Security or Secretary of State (if not Joe Biden)

:shrug: Look her up ... she's pretty awesome.

[tishaLA]

25. Yup. She's great.

Smart as a whip and honest as hell.

[TahitiNut]

27. She's the "un-Condi."

:rofl:

[Hayduke Lives]

22. Sec. of Agriculture: Wendall Berry.

[slinkerwink]

23. Samantha Powers for Secretary of State!

[tishaLA]

26. No S at the end of her name

[Phillycat]

28. AG should be Edwards.

Hillary (if not VP) secretary of health and human services.