I have been fascinated by appointments as elections in my history of watching politics, especially executive-level appointments. I remember speculating about possible turn-overs in the Bush administration in a fit of dark humor in December '04.
It's much, much more fun to speculate for our side. To wit, I offer a diary where kossacks can offer their own thoughts on a Democratic Dream Team Administration '09.
Who do YOU want to see, where, come inauguration day, 2009?
Here are my picks.
President - Mark Warner
I know a lot of people think this ticket should be reversed, but I favor Warner for the top spot for a few major reasons. First, he's a proven winner in a red state. Virginia may be trending purple, but he made a race of it with John Warner for Senate in 1996 (47% to 53%) when Virginia was as red as any state in the Union. He knows how to win rural voters, he knows how to win over southern voters. Second, he's a born coalition builder and political maestro. He balanced the budget and improved the quality of government services in Virginia, while keeping the state's AAA bond rating, with a combative Republican-controlled legislature. Third, he's got proven coattails, having successfully gotten his successor, Tim Kaine elected after him.
Also, the last Senator elected President by a defensible majority, if I recall correctly, was Warren Harding. America elects governors as presidents, period.
Vice-President - Bill Richardson
Bill Richardson has the "West Wing" impermatur for a Vice President - if something happens to President Warner, he's supremely qualified to step into the job, leading both the nation and the Party. I believe he would be a great couterpoint to Mark Warner, geographically and politically. He brings loads of experience in national governance from the Clinton Administration, and would bring the fight to the West.
Secretary of State - Richard Holbrooke
A proven peace negotiator who knows to use American power as it ought to be used, as a stick to make the carrot of peace more palatable, not as a stick for the sake of the stick. He's got the experience with negotiating with crazy people (see Serbia) we'll need to deal with North Korea and Iran, and the respect of our European allies.
Backup candidate: George Mitchell
Secretary of the Treasury - Jerome a Paris
I'm only half kidding. I have no idea who to suggest for this, as I think Larry Summers is no longer a viable possibility, oh, and he held the job before. How about Paul Krugman, just to make the wingnutosphere explode.
Secretary of Defense - Wes Clark
I initially penned in General John Shalikashvili for this post, then I found out he's recovering from a stroke.
Wes Clark is a proven general who was the commander of our victory over Serbia. He's worked closely with Holbrooke and knows the military.
Attorney General - John Edwards
Couldn't you see John Edwards pulling an Eliot Spitzer, but on a national scale? He's young, and without any experience in Executive office. Give him a term or two of seasoning in a Democratic cabinet, then let him examine a run for the big chair. With his passion for equality and justice, this is a natural fit.
Secretary of Agriculture - Tom Vilsak
Biofuels are a key to the sustainable economy. I'm not sure it's ethanol in the long-term, but it's a start. I think Tom Vilsak is a natural for this position.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs - Max Cleland
We need a man who can understand the needs of the veterans of the Iraq War, and Max Cleland is that man. His service is unquestionable, his advocacy will be unstoppable.
These are not all the possible positions, just the ones for which I can think of names I'd like to see, what do you think?
