I can already hear folks cracking their knuckles in preparation for the written beating I'm about to receive for playing fantasy politics for 2016, but I honestly don't mind. I know folks do this all the time, a kind of political nerd masturbation and a lazy way to get attention. I swear I'm not that guy. Instead, I hope to open people's eyes to some possibilities.
It's no secret that I've been fairly disappointed with some of President Obama's choices for leadership in both terms. There are some amazing confirmable candidates out there (and yes, I'm making a not-so-subtle jab at those fantasy blogs demanding a Department of Peace led by Dennis Kucinich) that can help us put the 21st Century back on track. I've looked into numerous candidates, watching politics and policies for the following over the course of the last several years.
Pick over them, hate, love, troll, praise, tip, whatever you want. I had a lot of fun researching these great Democratic candidates, and I wanted to see what people would think. Maybe this starts a conversation that ultimately leads to someone who knows someone who is roommates with the cousin of the best friend of the next President, and maybe word gets to her... or him. Or whatever. ;) Enjoy...
Vice-President: Regardless of who our nominee is (safe bet is on my gal Hillary), it is imperative that we have a VP running mate that has a strong background in domestic issues. I can't possibly imagine a better candidate than Mayor Julian Castro (D-TX). An early signer to the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" movement and a strong push for education while mayor of San Antonio, Castro has his finger on the pulse of 21st century public sentiment. His Latino heritage, brilliant background and appeal to younger Americans should be enough, but coupled with his Texas roots and Battleground Texas' efforts to turn the Lone Star State blue, Castro could be the best bet in 2016.
Agriculture: Former United States Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) has gotten a lot of flack in the progressive circles, and for good reason: during her final years in the Senate she was quite conservative (mostly self-preservation). But in a world that needs a little more reaching across the aisle, Sen. Lincoln could be a great choice for a relatively low-profile/low-controversy department. She was the first woman to chair the Senate Agriculture Committee, and was also a major player in the passage of the 2008 farm bill. Her reputation precedes her in the ag community, and throwing Arkansas a bone wouldn't hurt!
Commerce: Easily one of my favorite Obama Administration cabinet members not named Clinton, Kerry or Solis, current US Trade Representative Ron Kirk (D-TX) would be my top choice to head the Commerce Department. I don't need to explain myself much here. Kirk has served admirably and would make a wise choice. Someone just needs to tell him to stop wearing those goofy glasses. For reals.
Defense: As someone who got his start in politics helping out his failed 2004 presidential campaign, I wholeheartedly desire General Wesley Clark (D-AR) to be our next Secretary of Defense. Brilliant, heroic, and more than willing to ruffle a few feathers to get sh*t done, Clark is a natural for this position. I have a feeling that, after Blanche Lincoln, Clark will get a lion's share of the nasty comments from readers, but so be it.
Education: With all the trouble Republicans have given our country regarding education, we need a strong leader who won't back down from a fight but is willing to take an honest look at making positive change in our schools. Former Governor Jim Hunt (D-NC)is the former governor of North Carolina who serves as chairman of the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy (go figure), a part of the University of North Carolina that seeks to improve public education on a national level. His age worries me a bit as he will be 79 in 2016, but his dedication to early childhood development is admirable. Besides, we can't be ageist...
Energy: Not every name on this list will be well-known. Dan Reicher (D-NY/CA), served as President Bill Clinton’s assistant secretary of energy efficiency and renewable energy. He also served from 2007 to 2011 as Google’s director of climate-change and energy initiatives. He currently teaches and leads the Center for Energy Policy and Finance at Stanford University. Reicher might be a tough sell with Republicans, but his credentials in both government and the private sector may be appealing enough to get by.
Health & Human Services: Governor Martin O'Malley (D-MD) has overseen one of the most aggressive state health insurance exchange-building exercises in the country. Charming, effective, and capable, O'Malley is one hell of a campaigner and communicator. If anyone is going to be able to carry Obamacare forward and (hopefully) tweak it for the better, it would be O'Malley.
Homeland Security: Possibly the one department that I see as being completely unnecessary, I'm a little torn on making a recommendation here. If the future President disagrees and sees the need, however, I'd like to see a police chief at the helm of Homeland. Charles Ramsey (?-PA), the police commissioner of Philadelphia, was also once Chief of Washington DC police, and before that a beat officer in Chicago. Through a focus on community policing and traffic safety programs, crime rates declined approximately 40% in DC, and since taking the helm in Philadelphia, the city's homicide rate has dropped by 20%. Great metrics and a record serving in numerous cities across the country make Ramsey a great choice. I couldn't find a party registration, but for a position like this, affiliation should come 2nd to results.
Housing & Urban Development: Much like my criteria for the Vice-Presidency, in 2016 our next HUD Secretary needs to be an American Mayor. Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero (D-TN) seems to be an interesting choice. As a city leader and a former urban & regional planner, Rogero would actually GET the litany of issues that come across HUD's desk. To have a smart mayor like Madeline Rogero in this position would suit any future president's needs.
Interior: There's no doubt in my mind that former Governor Christine Gregoire (D-WA) would make a phenomenal Secretary of the Interior. Famed for campaigning for re-election on a bio-diesel bus, Gregoire is no stranger to protecting the environment and preserving our national parks. The governor was long-thought to be a part of Pres. Obama's 2nd term team, but was passed over for current Secretary Sally Jewell.
Justice: With all the news these days, so many of us are eagerly awaiting a new Attorney General to fix some of the problems current AG Eric Holder has presided over. If we aren't lucky enough to see another leader in this position (yeah, go ahead and make remarks, I know this will rile some of you), we can at least dream of 2016. I'd like to see Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) take the helm in 2016. Once a former US Attorney and his state's Attorney General, Whitehouse knows the Justice Department and would do well there. Plus, a safe Dem seat in the Senate means we won't have to claw to keep a majority...
Labor: Former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) is a true leader: always selfless, hard-working and as honest as a politician comes. I've had tremendous respect for Rep. Gephardt, and know he'd be a most excellent Labor Secretary.
State: The token Republican in every modern Democrat's presidential cabinet is always an interesting and tough pick. In former Governor Jon Huntsman (R-UT), the choice is easy. This is a man who has earned tremendous respect in the foreign relations circles, and would make a great Secretary regardless of his political affiliation.
Transportation: Overlooked by President Obama in his 2nd term cabinet shuffle, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D-CA) would honestly be a great choice for Transportation Secretary. If by 2016 he's governor of California and/or a presidential candidate himself, Villaraigosa would do a great job... as long as he keeps himself scandal-free...
Treasury: Former Chairperson of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Erskine Bowles (D-NC) is an obvious-but-in-a-good-sense way. A wonk through to the end, Bowles would make a great advisor in any role.
Veterans Affairs: Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) may be too happy serving to leave Congress, but no one else can speak to the plight of veterans better. In the off-chance that Duckworth doesn't want to give up her hard-fought House seat, veteran and IAVA founder Paul Reickhoff would be a fierce and dedicated choice.
The following are Cabinet-rank, but worth mentioning. In my ideal world, EPA would be a permanent part of the cabinet...
EPA: Attorney & Environmental Activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (D-NY)
Office of Management & Budget: CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf (D-MA)
White House Chief of Staff: UC Berkeley Professor & former White House Deputy CoS Maria Echaveste (D-CA)
US Trade Representative: Nobel prize winner and MIT economics professor Peter Diamond (D-MA)
US Ambassador to the United Nations: Former Ambassador Joseph Wilson (D-NM)
Sub-cabinet levels too "in the weeds"? Not for this guy!
National Security Advisor: James Steinberg (?-NY), former deputy Secretary of State
CIA Director: Former Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA)
FBI Director: US Attorney Neil MacBride (?-VA)
SEC Chair: VirtuFinancial executive Chris Concannon (D-NY)
Let's face it. I'm on a political-nerd roll with all these "recommendations." Why stop here? In addition to all the important positions above, the chances that 2 or possibly even 4 Supreme Court Justices will retire during the next administration, here is a short list of my top 4 choices for SCOTUS nominees:
1. CA Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu
2. D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Merrick Garland
3. Dean of Yale Law School Harold Koh
4. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan