I love lists. I love picking them. I love reading them. It’s all about the fondness for prognostication. So I give you my expected and/or ideal picks for Obama’s cabinet and other key positions, starting from the current presidential line of succession (state department through homeland security). Embrace my political geekdom!
Secretary of State – This is a bit tricky. While there’s talk of John Kerry being offered the position, I think Bill Richardson is much more suited for the task. He has great diplomatic credentials, has served previously under Bill Clinton and helps to bring a bit more diversity to the top of the administration (Latino). Sure, yes, he has a questionable management style and can rub some people the wrong way. But I believe the pros outweigh the cons here. A suitable deputy secretary of state: Greg Craig, who served in the Clinton administration as both presidential counsel and as a senior adviser to Madeleine Albright.
Secretary of the Treasury – An even trickier position considering (a) the shambles of the current economy and (b) severely waning popularity for any Wall Street insiders to be involved in leading the treasury. There’s no real clear, odds-on favorite everyone could embrace. Really, it’s the lesser of several evils here. Having said that, perhaps the best bet – for the next year or two to lend an expert, immediate relief to the markets – is Paul Volcker, former chair of the Federal Reserve. He served under Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan and advised Obama on the economy. He is getting up there in age, however. Which leads me to believe a suitable deputy treasury secretary could be Michael Froman, president/CEO of CitiInsurance and a campaign adviser to Obama.
Ultimately, the treasury needs new blood in leadership. Maybe a venture capitalist to spice things up. The department and nation needs to move away from finance capitalism to creativity capitalism. Let’s develop a cabinet of innovation. And frankly, if Obama wishes to prove he’s an agent of change, he shouldn’t merely stock the top of his cabinet with a bunch of former Clintonites or leftover Bushites.
Secretary of Defense – Ah, a conversation that inevitably leads to the assumption that Republicans are tougher on defense than Democrats. Hogwash. Progressives can show just as well they have the skills and mindset to administer such a department efficiently, counsel the president judiciously on pressing military matters and equip the troops appropriately without calling for more military spending.
It’s times like these in which one wishes Wes Clark or Anthony Zinni wouldn’t be – for now – subject to constitutional laws of eligibility regarding leading the defense department. Clark would be a no-brainer. Alas, I could temporarily settle for Richard Danzig, who served as Naval secretary under Clinton and advised Obama during the campaign. A suitable deputy defense secretary could be Larry Korb, a former assistant defense secretary who now works at the Center for American Progress. However, this all could be moot if current secretary Robert Gates is left in the position, which unfortunately is the speculative rage for the moment.
Attorney General – While speculation is centering on Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, I think it would serve the country better if she were to remain a blue governor of a red state. My pick goes to Eric Holder, a former Justice Department official under Clinton. Republican Patrick Fitzgerald, who as special prosecutor was great going after the Bushites the last few years, could do well as deputy AG.
Secretary of the Interior – Speculation is that Brian Schweitzer, the popular Montana Democratic governor who just got re-elected, is up for this job. But like with Napolitano, I think it’d be wise to leave a blue governor of a red state. Want another bi-partisan pick? How about Lincoln Chafee, the moderate Republican former Rhode Island senator, who endorsed Obama and is seen as moderate on ecological and land management issues.
Secretary of Agriculture – Former Iowa Democratic Governor Tom Vilsack is getting the biggest mentions here and is probably a safe pick. I could be happy with rewarding Scott Kleeb with the deputy secretary position. He challenged for the Nebraska Senate seat this week. He’s a rancher with moderate views, a professor with a degree in international relations and can appeal to younger voters. Dude is like 33.
Secretary of Commerce – Speculation here is on Penny Pritzker, who’s part of a wealthy family based in Chicago. She can give Obama a shot in the arm in terms of small business acumen, but in the confirmation process Rethugs could try to tie her indirectly to the sub-prime mortgage industry meltdown.
Secretary of Labor – There’s some talk this one could go to Linda Chavez-Thompson, who’s a proven union leader. She was elected the executive vice-president of the AFL-CIO in 1995 and served until September 21, 2007. She’s also a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. I could accept, though, Democratic Missouri Congressman Richard Gephardt here.
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Actually quite a few potentials here. If you wanna see Hillary somewhere, this is the most likely place (other than possibly a Supreme Court nominee. Oh my, just imagine THAT confirmation process.) If not her, possibly Marian Wright Edelman, president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund, or former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, a doctor who expanded the Oregon Health Plan and currently directs the Center for Evidence Based Policy at Oregon Health & Science University.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development – A favorite here could be Valerie Jarrett, a longtime Obama adviser who is familiar in the Chicago political machine and is currently CEO of The Habitat Company, a real estate development and management company.
Secretary of Transportation – This isn’t really a sexy pick. There’s only a couple of names being floated here. It’ll probably be Jim Oberstar, a Minnesota Congressman who serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Secretary of Energy -- Steve Westly is a good bet here. California’s current state controller, he was an early proponent of alternative energy who worked Department of Energy's Office of Solar and Conservation under Jimmy Carter.
Secretary of Education – Wanna see Colin Powell somewhere that may not be so controversial, this may be the post. He is a founder of America's Promise Alliance, a coalition of businesses, educators, and others working to improve the health and well-being of children.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Either Max Cleland or Tammy Duckworth would be tremendous. Maybe they should go in as secretary and deputy secretary. Veterans who know all too well the horrors of not only battle itself but the challenges that vets face upon the return home.
Secretary of Homeland Security – This is intriguing. It could be, as some liberals and conservatives have surmised, that Obama abolishes this department. If he retains it, the department should be bolstered and even take in some duplicate outstanding federal related agencies to avoid the image of an even-bigger bureaucracy. It could even add onto its name of Public and Border Security. Who could best manage this department? No question it’s Richard Clarke, the counter-terrorism expert who was among the first moderate pariahs of Dubya’s regime that could not tolerate experts who knew what they were talking about.
There’s talk Obama could create a few more cabinet-level agencies and even upgrade some positions to cabinet-level, such as Ambassador to the United Nations and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. So let’s have fun pretending:
Secretary of Communications Technology -- Barbara Simons is one name. She worked for IBM and is now on the board of the Electronic Privacy Information Center and the Public Interest Registry’s .ORG Advisory Council. If not here, it could be Paul Romer or Vint Cerf, both of whom are in Google’s leadership sphere.
Secretary of First Americans Affairs -- Winona LaDuke, a former Green Party vice-presidential candidate, is one name. Another is a Democrat-turned-Republican/former Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell.
Director of Urban Policy – A name touted here is Amanda Burden, the director of New York City's Department of City Planning. Again, the latter three departments are being proposed by Obama, but really could be rolled into their appropriate existing departments: commerce, interior and HUD, respectively.
Other key roles:
National Security Advisor -- Wes Clark. Maybe something will happen down the line after 2010 for him to take the SecDef position. Until then… And if not this, it could be Chuck Hagel’s for the taking.
Director of National Intelligence -- Susan Rice, who served on the National Security Council and as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under Clinton. She works at the Brookings Institution and was an adviser to Obama. There’s much talk that there could be another “Rice” as a secretary of state, however.
U.N. Permanent Representative – A good name here is Harold Hongju Koh, a lawyer, legal scholar, former State Department official, and current dean of the Yale Law School, His name has been mentioned as a possible Supreme Court nominee. He served as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor under Clinton. Yes, if you wanna throw a bone to John Kerry here, that’s fine with me, too. And there’s talk that Caroline Kennedy could get a nod.
FEMA Director – There’s talk that after Katrina (among other dubious episodes), FEMA should be abolished. If it is retained (even rolled into a department such as homeland security), it’s a no-brainer – return a professional like James Lee Witt to the office.
EPA Administrator – Another no-brainer. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The superlawyer has been a tireless advocate of eco-friendly law and action over the years. And this fills the Kennedy quota.
Ambassador At-Large on Climate Change – There’s talk of creating this office, especially for Al Gore. Can’t argue with that.
Health Care Czar in White House – A sort of redo of Hillary’s role in the early ‘90s. If she’s not to resurface for this position, it’s possible Tom Daschle, the former House minority leader, could arise here. And that’s fine. For the most part.
Trade Representative -- Joseph Wilson is not just Mr. Valerie Plame. He is the CEO of his own firm JC Wilson International Ventures and has good diplomatic credentials. And this just rubs more salt into the Rethugs’ wounds.
White House Chief of Staff – well, you’re seeing now that Rahm Emanuel is pretty much taking the job. He does have experience from the Clinton administration, an Illinois Congressional leader and known as a fighter. On some issues. And that’s the problem. He appeased the Rethugs on other issues over the years to the chagrin of many progressives. That and his DLC ties. But anyway…
Deputy Chief of Staff -- Jim Messina was Obama’s campaign chief of staff. He could do well here.
Senior Advisers – I could go with either David Plouffe or David Axelrod, the architects of Obama’s overall campaign.
Budget Director – Hard to say. I could go for one of Obama’s economic advisers. Perhaps Laura Tyson, who worked for Clinton. If you need someone with a bit more of a fiery temperament and executive experience, Florida Congressman Robert Wexler is a possibility. A “fire-breathing liberal” to be sure.
Council of Economic Advisers – If I can pick three, it’d be Warren Buffett, Austan Goolsbee and Jason Furman. They’re pretty much already advising Obama on the economy. Goolsbee would do better to chair the council.
White House Counsel -- Mark Alexander is a good name here, a senior adviser to Obama's campaign, having served as issues director for Bill Bradley's 2000 presidential drive.
CIA Director – Need a new one? There’s talk that Richard Clarke could be good here, meaning the Homeland Security leadership can be left to Wes Clark or Anthony Zinni. I’m good with that scenario.
Office of National Drug Control Policy Director -- Ron Paul. Really. Imagine a quasi-libertarian look at how he enforce illegal drug laws.
Director, Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (Obama's renamed faith-based office) -- Josh DuBois is a good name here. He was the campaign's director of religious affairs. If not him, Jim Wallis would make an excellent candidate.
Council on Environmental Quality – Washington Congressman Jay Inslee could be chair. He sits on the U.S. House Resources Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee.
White House Communications Director: Robert Gibbs, who advised Obama on media affairs, would be cool here.
Press Secretary: Hmm, can I dream of Rachel Maddow taking Faux News to task every day during press briefings? Love it.
Domestic Policy Adviser – A name mentioned here is Heather Higginbottom, who has worked for John Kerry, had a role in his presidential campaign, and worked on Clinton’s President’s Summit for America’s Future.
Supreme Court nominees – If I could pick three, it’d be legal scholar Cass Sunstein, who had interesting things to say about Dubya’s war on terror; Elena Kagan, dean of Harvard Law School and Thurgood Marshall Jr., a lawyer and son of the late Justice Thurgood Marshall. And yes, Hillary’s name most certainly will be in play sometime next decade.
Again, these all are good guesses. Each appointment, however, is crucial and carries with it many factors that must be thoroughly considered. Which means while the campaign to elect Obama and other Democrats to the land may be over this cycle (for the most part), the campaign to ensure a solid, efficient administration of which we can be proud has only started.
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