Or more specifically, he needs to offer some jobs to Republican Senators.
A few diaries back, there is a diary to suggest that the 'Hillary as Secretary of State' brouhaha is a 'trap' for Obama, set by the 'Clintonites'. While tinfoiling might be the theme of the day, I offer my own idea for a bit of tinfoil.
Obama should set his own 'trap' for the Republicans, and doing so could very well benefit the Democrats enormously while at the same time earning him serious 'bipartisanship' street cred.
Basically, we've all heard how Obama is a fan of 'Team of Rivals' and supposedly wants to pack his admin from a wide range of sources. All to the good, I say. In fact, I specifically propose that he try and get a few Republicans on board. Very specific Republicans.
It is my suggestion that he try and get 3-4 Republican Senators on his team. 3-4 Republicans Senators from specific states - ones that have Democratic Governors who will appoint Senate Replacements. A quick scan of the 2008 and 2006 elections maps reveals that Arizona, Wyoming, Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Maine currently have 1-2 Republican Senators but Democratic Governors.
Now some of these (many of these) are probably no-starters. I cannot for the life of me see any position suitable for Senator Inhofe in an Obama cabinet. But that's ok. Because we don't have to actually necessarily even get the Republicans in, and we may not want to. Merely having their names floated gives Obama enormous street cred with the right, and actually offering gives even more.
So our list of 'potentials' seems to be:
Arizona: McCain, Kyl
Iowa: Grassley updated (thanks Wee Mama)
Kansas: Roberts
Maine: Collins, Snowe
Oklahoma: Inhofe
Tennessee: Alexander, Corker
Wyoming: Enzi, Barrassio
Honestly, the only three I personally could envision even potentially in an Obama administration are Collins, Snowe, and maybe McCain. But maybe you folks know something I don't.
And floating names doesn't hurt, and might even cause some heads to explode.
The only real worry I see is that too many of the exploding heads might be on the left.
Of course, if he actually does pull in say, Snowe and Collins, or even McCain, that's one more Dem Senate seat each, which could be enormously useful in getting legislation passed.
So either way it's win-win - he floats names, makes offers which are or aren't accepted and gains serious bipartisanship street cred. If a few offers are accepted, he gets maybe a bit less great Cabinet, but a more solid lock on the Senate. Thoughts?