Obama Picks May Leave Big Holes: As Elected Officials Migrate, Democratic Seats Are Vulnerable

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: Obama Picks May Leave Big Holes
As Elected Officials Migrate, Democratic Seats Are Vulnerable
By Chris Cillizza
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 29, 2008; Page A04

President-elect Barack Obama's speed in naming Cabinet nominees and top White House staffers has drawn praise from many within his party but also has left a series of likely vacancies that could endanger Democratic electoral prospects in the coming months and reduce diversity within party ranks.

Roughly a dozen current Democratic officeholders are rumored to be vacating their current posts for jobs in the Obama administration, potentially leaving openings that carry varying levels of concern for Democratic strategists.

In Arizona, for example, Gov. Janet Napolitano's likely ascension to the Department of Homeland Security means that Secretary of State Jan Brewer, a Republican, would assume the governorship through 2010 -- providing the GOP an unexpected advantage in that open-seat race.

Obama's own election has caused a problem, as embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), who continues to mull running for a third term in 2010, is solely charged with picking a successor -- and any tie to Blagojevich could endanger a nominee's election in 2010.

Blagojevich is already coming under pressure to name an African American in Obama's place, as the president-elect was the only black member of the Senate. In picking New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as commerce secretary, Obama has removed the lone Latino governor in the country, while his choice of Napolitano (and potentially Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius) would reduce the number of female governors by one-quarter.

"Obama has clearly decided that creating a series of political crises for Democrats is worth it if it means having the right people in government to help him deal with the series of crisis facing the nation," said Joe Trippi, a Democratic consultant who managed former Vermont governor Howard Dean's 2004 presidential nomination bid.

A look at recent presidential transitions reveals that Obama is relying more on a stable of elected officials than did either President Bush or former president Bill Clinton....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/28/AR2008112802704.html?hpid=topnews

[FrenchieCat]

1. Republicans are radioactive.......

because they have nothing to offer.....so I'm not as "worried" as Chris Cillizza appears to be. But than, Cillizza never impressed me much as a deep thinker...just a CW follower.

Someone needs to let him know that We've actually have more important things to worry about. :eyes:

[CreekDog]

2. talk about missing the point!

well that's Cilizza for ya.

If Obama doesn't have the people he needs for his administration, that will do far more harm to Democrats throughout the country than anything else.

Let's not forget 1994.

[bigbrother05]

3. Choose solid, progressive candidates and the Dems will be fine

[Hippo_Tron]

4. The likelihood of a Republican capturing Obama's Senate seat is close to zero

The Washington Post just wants something to talk about.

[davidpdx]

5. I have posted several times the fact that I am concerned

that raiding the US Senate for cabinet posts will put seats up for grabs in the future. The same goes for House, Govenorship and other high positions. The state parties need to stay on the ball and recruit like nuts to get good candidates in the position to run for these offices.

[droidamus2]

6. The best people

President Obama wants the people he sees as being the best for the positions. I am sure he is not worrying that his choosing somebody might possibly, maybe, at some point in future cause a problem. This is the kind of 'fearful' politics that the DLC pushed when they criticized Howard Dean's 50 state strategy. If you have to pull some good people from their current positions to have the best cabinet and administration possible then the Democratic party should just work to find good, strong candidates to take their place in that way it becomes a win/win with a strong administration and new strong people in the House and Senate.

[Orangepeel]

7. The Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico is a woman

Diane Denish. I'm assuming she'll become Governor and that will help her when she runs.

[chimpymustgo]

9. You assume wrong. Republican Secretary of State Jan Brewer will take over. This appointment is

a mistake IMHO. Surely there is someone (probably several people) who could head Homeland Security as well - or better - than Napolitano - without losing a critical governorship in an emerging swing state (with the census approaching). I just don't get that one.

[Shiver]

10. Jan Brewer is Sec. of State for Arizona

The poster you're replying to was referring to New Mexico.

Not to take away from your point about Napolitano and Brewer, just clarifying.

[mmonk]

8. Not to worry. Under the unitary executive system, the Congress is

a vestigial body.

[terrya]

11. No Republican will win a Senate seat in Illinois in 2010.

That's utter nonsense. The Republican party here is still in shambles.