Comments on: Who Will Be Obama’s Secretary of State?

By: NYkrinDC

NYkrinDC — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:37:38 +0000

I’m late to this conversation, but I think most of you missed the obvious choice here, and one that would satisfy President Elect Obama’s promise to name at least one Republican into his cabinet; that person, Bob Gates.

Yes, he’s Secretary of Defense now, but he has shown a deep understanding of the role of public diplomacy and the changes that State must go through in order to lead in foreign policy as opposed to being led by the Defense Dept. Since he is a Republican, he will mollify many who would expected a timid executive in the White House, while also giving President Obama a proven manager with whom he could work.

By: blackoutyears

blackoutyears — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:02:59 +0000

Kranky, you’re probably on to something. If she’s to be taken at her word, Hillary said herself that she felt she was needed in the Senate. I think she and McCain can still do a lot of good work there. McCain in particular is needed more than ever.

By: kranky kritter

kranky kritter — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:38:38 +0000

I have a feeling the only position Hillary might get offered is ambassador to whatever country is furthest from Washington. How about New Zealand?

The last thing Obama needs is Hillary running a shadow oval office. Keep her out of the white house cabinet and operations. The place where she can be useful is as the leader of the DLC wing of the senate, pushing for tough moderate positions. I’d support Clinton if she were to mount a congressional coup.

By: ixst

ixst — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:46:37 +0000

Wes Clark FTW.

By: George Mauer

George Mauer — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:46:21 +0000

Why all the spite for Kerry? I agree, he could be spectacular or so-so, as an extremely experienced statesman I can’t see him failing completely.

Is Hillary not in the running? I think she might actually be a good choice. I had kind of figured she was offered a cabinet post back in the summer. In any case I would prefer to see Obama pepper his cabinet with some former nemises.

By: Jimmy the Dhimmi

Jimmy the Dhimmi — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:39:56 +0000

All these guys may pass the “global test,” but I think Kerry would be the one who would most redistribute the moral high-ground to hostile nations as a good-will gesture, or in the nature of “fairness,” so my guess is Obama picks him.

By: L

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:30:25 +0000

I think Lugar has taken himself out of speculation. It is too bad if he is definitely out, looks like he would’ve been a good choice on a few fronts.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=1&docID=news-000002983799

By: mike mcEachran

mike mcEachran — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:29:56 +0000

Please not Kerry. Leave him in the Presidential loser category where he fits so well. Weâ€™d have to stomach four (eight) years of nauseating circuitous-Senator-speak. Ugh. Please no, Bam.

By: kranky kritter

kranky kritter — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:02:54 +0000

Kerry would be a bad choice because he’s a dick! Yeah, a bad word, but nothing else expresses it as clearly and succinctly. I can’t stomach the guy, and I think he would be a divisive choice. At least it would get him out of my state, MA.

How about Colin Powell? As long as it’s not Jimmy Carter.