Olympia Snowe For Department of Commerce?

[Median Democrat]

There has been talk on this board about trying to lure moderate Republican Olympia Snowe into the Democratic Party, since she even has a more liberal voting record than some Democratic Senators. My question is rather than try to lure her into the Democratic Party, why not just try to appoint her to a cabinent position. This could be a win-win. First, she is qualified and experienced based on her legislative record. Second, it is a bi-partisan move. Third, she is a woman. Fourth, this saves her from the backlash of Republicans who are blaming moderates for their losses in 2008.

Downside: It makes the GOP even more extreme right.

http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/11/13629/ideal-cabinet/

/snip

Secretary of Commerce: Olympia Snowe– Tapping the senior Republican senator from Maine would accomplish quite a few objectives for Obama. One, she is a Republican, and having a few members of the opposition party in his cabinet would do a lot to promote Obama’s “new politics” and back up his rhetoric about healing the partisan divide. Two, Snowe has distinguished herself as a lawmaker who’s something of a specialist in commerce and small business as a member of the Finance, Small Business and Entrepreneurship and Commerce, Science and Transportation Committees. And an extra bonus: Maine is a deep-blue state with a Democratic governor that went 58-41 for Obama. If he could lure Snowe out of the Senate, the Democrats could be able to hold on to her seat for decades.

/snip

[Hawkeye-X]

1. It also gives us a Democratic seat in Maine.

because the governor is a Democrat, and will appoint a Democrat to replace Snowe.

Right wing fruitcakes do not scare me at this point - they are, indeed, a vanishing breed.

Hawkeye-X

[Maine-ah]

13. as far as I know, Snowe and Collins are the only 2 republicans

left in New England. I don't think Snowe would be willing to give up her seat.

[NutmegYankee]

18. Depending on how you see Lieberman

Considering the republicans dumped their own candidate and backed Joe instead, I'd consider him one.

[Maine-ah]

21. regardless of how Lieberman votes, he's not registered as a democrat.

[Stargleamer]

2. Would it make the Senate more filibuster-proof?

Would a Democrat be appointed to take her place? Would there be a special election instead?

[Hawkeye-X]

3. Appointment, and yes, it will make it 61

Assuming Franken, Martin and Belgich wins their elections.

Hawkeye-X

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. I think she would not take it, partly because that doesn't seem like

something she would do, but also because of the 60 seat issue.

[globalvillage]

4. I like it.

In addition to gaining a Senate seat, Snowe has a history of working across the aisle. In Small Biz, where Sen Kerry is chair and Snowe is ranking member, they work together on a lot of legislation. If Obama wants a Republican, she's not a bad choice.

Here's her record on some key votes.

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/s000663/key-votes/

[democrattotheend]

5. Love the idea

I really like Olympia Snowe...she's on of only a handful of Republicans I'd ever consider voting for (if I lived in Maine). She would be a good pick for the cabinet, and it would open up a seat for a Democratic senator. But I don't know if she'd take it for that reason.

[Colobo]

6. Good.

[dsc]

7. No wait the cabinet is not for that

it is soley to have the most qualified people not anything else. Oh wait, that only matters if we are discussing gays nevermind.

[globalvillage]

8. She's on the Small Business, Finance and Commerce committees

She was chair of Small Biz until we got the majority, and she has an 80% approval rating. She's pretty qualified.

If Obama wants a Republican, she's a great pick.

[hulklogan]

10. Republican tokenism > LGBT tokenism, apparently.

[dsc]

17. evidently

funny not one word, not one word from the people who crucified me about this. Gee, wonder why?

[Hippo_Tron]

19. I think people only like the idea because we would get another Democrat in the Senate

Snowe and Collins aren't exceptionally qualified by any stretch of the imagination.

[dsc]

20. So I am evil for wanting a gay man

but using the cabinet to help our Senate position is hunky dory. I get it.

[Hippo_Tron]

22. If I were playing devil's advocate I would tell you that having 60 Democrats...

Will allow us to get more things done including gay rights issues.

But honestly I don't think Susan Collins or Olympia Snowe should be in an Obama cabinet just to increase our senate numbers and I think that Barney Frank should be Treasury Secretary.

[jwirr]

9. This case is dependent upon who would replace her. She is one

of the pugs that may vote with us more often than she votes with us. If a Democrat does not replace her then I want her to stay where she is.

[MaineDem]

23. Actually she votes witht he GOP over 80% of the time

She is more moderate than our other Senator but that's not saying much.

This would be a good move, as far as I'm concerned but she's already said she won't take a post if offered.

[joshcryer]

11. I know this is completely off topic but did anyone know the word "commerce" also meant...

..."sexual intercourse"? WTF! I never heard that one before ever.

[galaxy21]

14. 'Hey, Olympia, McCain was looking for a female vp and he decided Palin was more qualified than you'

Seriously, just say that to her, and she might consider quitting the republican party for good.

[northernlights]

15. the local news up heah in Maine...

brought this subject up a couple weeks ago. Both Snowe and Collins were raised as possibilities for Commerce, but supposedly both said they are quite happy to stay in the senate.

Naturally I'd love to see it, but it did sound like either would take it. Still...who knows?

[book_worm]

16. It won't happen because the pressure on her will be too strong to

not give the Dems another senate seat. I don't see it happening.