Bill Richardson vs. John Kerry

[Farang]

I know Holebrook is a contender but I see these two as more likely candidates for a couple reasons. Latinos made a deal with Obama to get at least two cabinet positions (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15375.html) and Richardson would solve half of that problem. On the other hand Obama owes his ascendancy to John Kerry giving him the keynote address so it may be hard to tell him "no" to a position he is lobbying hard for.

I'm leaning towards Richardson because he is highly qualified and would not be an AA pick like Obama might be forced to do if he is forced to fill the Latino positions elsewhere.

 

[nageov3t]

I can't imagine a guy so afraid to talk to Bill Clinton that he went on vacation just to hide from the phone acting as secretary of state.

 

[Mursilis]

Slate had an article about who Obama shouldn't appoint. Among the names mentioned, Bill Richardson for Sec. of State. Here's why:

State Department. Do not appoint Bill Richardson, who by some accounts is the front-runner. Obama may feel he owes Richardson because the New Mexico governor endorsed him after dropping out of the presidential race and ended up being called a "Judas" by James Carville. But Richardson took his sweet time before embracing Obama; he dropped out in mid-January and didn't cough up the endorsement until late March. Richardson's résumé includes Clinton administration stints as energy secretary and as U.N. ambassador. He didn't perform either job particularly well. As energy secretary, Richardson rashly accused Los Alamos official Wen Ho Lee of espionage?a charge later proved false. As U.N. ambassador, Richardson didn't do anything anyone can remember except offer Monica Lewinsky a job three months before the story of her affair with President Clinton hit the Internet. "He has no great beliefs," observed Slate's David Plotz in June 2000, "which may be why he didn't mind flattering despots." Richardson has twice broken the world's record for most handshakes in an eight-hour period. He's very proud of this. Don't you find that alarming?

Slate's no RNC mouthpiece, so take that for what you will.

 

[bozack]

ABK

 

[Skitzer]

I think Hillary should be Sec of State

 

[SpunkyJones]

Kerry sucks, but I would love to see his vacate his Senate seat here.

 

[techs]

Bill Richardson vs. John Kerry

I was hoping this thread was about a Celebrity DeathMatch

 

[marincounty]

Richardson is an open borders advocate. Forget him.

 

[miketheidiot]

bill clinton

 

[ScottyB]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot
bill clinton

As Sexual Education Czar.

 

[Stuxnet]

John Kerry in charge of anything other than dry cleaning scares the shit out of me. I wouldn't trust that man with a toothpick.

 

[IronWing]

IMHO, the Dems can't afford to pick off sitting senators for any cabinet positions and probably can't afford to tap sitting governors either. Maybe offer Leiberman a cabinet position where his views match Obama's. Solves two problems.

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: jbourne77
John Kerry in charge of anything other than dry cleaning scares the shit out of me. I wouldn't trust that man with a toothpick.

Anyone too stupid to beat Bush really can't be trusted with more responsibility. He's already too dangerous where he is. It's only by serving alongside Teddy Kennedy that he appears to have any competence whatsoever.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: Mursilis

Originally posted by: jbourne77
John Kerry in charge of anything other than dry cleaning scares the shit out of me. I wouldn't trust that man with a toothpick.

Anyone too stupid to beat Bush really can't be trusted with more responsibility.

No argument there.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: ironwing
IMHO, the Dems can't afford to pick off sitting senators for any cabinet positions and probably can't afford to tap sitting governors either. Maybe offer Leiberman a cabinet position where his views match Obama's. Solves two problems.

If you have a Dem govenor, then you could tap a Senator from that State. Obama should expect that the govenor would appoint a Dem replacement.

 

[Skitzer]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: ironwing
IMHO, the Dems can't afford to pick off sitting senators for any cabinet positions and probably can't afford to tap sitting governors either. Maybe offer Leiberman a cabinet position where his views match Obama's. Solves two problems.

If you have a Dem govenor, then you could tap a Senator from that State. Obama should expect that the govenor would appoint a Dem replacement.

Yes, that's exactly what would happen so no Dem seats lost in the Senate.

 

[alphatarget1]

I nominate Bill Clinton.

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: Skitzer

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: ironwing
IMHO, the Dems can't afford to pick off sitting senators for any cabinet positions and probably can't afford to tap sitting governors either. Maybe offer Leiberman a cabinet position where his views match Obama's. Solves two problems.

If you have a Dem govenor, then you could tap a Senator from that State. Obama should expect that the govenor would appoint a Dem replacement.

Yes, that's exactly what would happen so no Dem seats lost in the Senate.

There is still a risk to that strategy. The incumbent won an election to gain the office. The person selected to replace the incumbent has not. They would be trading a known winner for an unknown.

 

[jpeyton]

Picking Kerry has no risk, because Massachusetts is not going to elect a Republican Senator.

 

[ProfJohn]

Why the hell would Clinton want the job?? I assume you guys are joking when you mention Bill.

I can't think of who he should pick, no Democrats jump out at me.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: ironwing

Originally posted by: Skitzer

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: ironwing
IMHO, the Dems can't afford to pick off sitting senators for any cabinet positions and probably can't afford to tap sitting governors either. Maybe offer Leiberman a cabinet position where his views match Obama's. Solves two problems.

If you have a Dem govenor, then you could tap a Senator from that State. Obama should expect that the govenor would appoint a Dem replacement.

Yes, that's exactly what would happen so no Dem seats lost in the Senate.

There is still a risk to that strategy. The incumbent won an election to gain the office. The person selected to replace the incumbent has not. They would be trading a known winner for an unknown.

The govenor would have an idea of the capability of the appointee to prepare for a special election (if held). Also, it may take up to 2 years for a new election. either will provide the appointed Senator an opportunity to setup the proper system to ensure re-election.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Why the hell would Clinton want the job?? I assume you guys are joking when you mention Bill.

I can't think of who he should pick, no Democrats jump out at me.

I can't fathom why Obama would want Bill Clinton on his cabinet.

god love him, but can you really see Bill being willing to be a team player and represent President Obama's policies instead of his own?

 

[ranmaniac]

Holbrooke or Wesley Clark have a good shot at it.

 

[Jhhnn]

Lieberman? Puh-leeze.

Helluva "team player", huh?

He'll be lucky to emerge from the opening of Congress with his hide still attached, let alone find himself welcomed into the new Admin's inner circle...

One thing's for sure- no matter who Obama picks, the righties will be all over it like white on rice...

 

[alphatarget1]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Why the hell would Clinton want the job?? I assume you guys are joking when you mention Bill.

I can't think of who he should pick, no Democrats jump out at me.

He can pick Colin Powell, LOL.