Possible Obama Cabinet-My List

Allen773 · 28th July 2008, 06:29 PM

As an Obama supporter, I was just researching who I thought would be the best candidates for Obama's Cabinet if he's elected.

Here's my list. It draws from Senators, Governors, Representatives, with a few oddballs that are none of the above. It includes mostly Democrats, but also a few Republicans. Also, there's one Bush Cabinet member who I believe Obama should keep, at least for a year or two.

Vice President: Bill Richardson
Secretary of State: Joe Biden
Secretary of Defense: Robert Gates
Secretary of Commerce: Bobby Rush
Attorney General: Ed Rendell
Secretary of Agriculture: Bruce Babbitt
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Patty Murray
Secretary of Transportation: Christopher Ward
Secretary of Labor: William Gould
Secretary of Education: Mark Yudof
Secretary of the Treasury: Michael Bloomberg
Secretary of Energy: Ted Kulongski
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Jim Ramstad
Secretary of the Interior: Mark Gearan
Secretary of Veterans' Affairs: Jim Webb

Feel free to debate me on the pros and cons of selecting these people for an Obama Cabinet.
I'd love to hear some other opinions and some alternatives to the people I propose.

Also, I strongly encourage anyone wishing to do a speculative Cabinet list for McCain, in this thread even.

Brainster · 28th July 2008, 07:02 PM

He probably won't pick so many sitting senators. And Hillary will definitely stay in the Senate barring a Supreme Court nomination.

Allen773 · 28th July 2008, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Brainster

He probably won't pick so many sitting senators. And Hillary will definitely stay in the Senate barring a Supreme Court nomination.

Good point, but Obama was struggling with Appalachian and blue-collar voters against Hillary. If, as Secretary of Labor, she has a good relationship with their unions, he could end up doing far better there if he runs for (hypothetical) reelection in 2012.

And I don't think a half-dozen or so sitting Senators amongst 14 Cabinet members is too many, but I'm no expert.

Allen773 · 28th July 2008, 07:38 PM

I removed Hillary and a couple Senators, Brainster, for a modified list.

chipmunk stew · 28th July 2008, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by Allen773

Good point, but Obama was struggling with Appalachian and blue-collar voters against Hillary. If, as Secretary of Labor, she has a good relationship with their unions, he could end up doing far better there if he runs for (hypothetical) reelection in 2012.

And I don't think a half-dozen or so sitting Senators amongst 14 Cabinet members is too many, but I'm no expert.

I think the point about the sitting Senators is that the Democrats may not want to leave so many seats open and vulnerable, just when they have secured such a solid majority.

Allen773 · 28th July 2008, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by chipmunk stew

I think the point about the sitting Senators is that the Democrats may not want to leave so many seats open and vulnerable, just when they have secured such a solid majority.

Well, I just removed several of the Senators from the list, so I understand your point and it's likely Obama does too.

Right now, I count a total of 3 open Senate seats and 2 open House seats. This may change as more people post their input.

Allen773 · 28th July 2008, 08:06 PM

By the way, I'd appreciate input on the pros and cons of these people being in Obama's cabinet individually.

SezMe · 28th July 2008, 09:58 PM

Since the only pick that has any chance of affecting the election is the Veep, I'll focus there. I don't see what Richardson brings to the table. As a VP, yeah, he might be great. But it's the election that counts now and Richardson was very weak as a candidate and I don't think Obama wants someone who needs training wheels.

That said, other than excluding HRC, I don't know of a good person for the slot.

If the Edwards rumor proves to be just that, then I'd prefer him as AG. If his small head ran his big head, he's history.

shemp · 28th July 2008, 10:00 PM

Gotta fit Gary Coleman and David Hasselhoff in there somewhere.

Allen773 · 28th July 2008, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by SezMe

Since the only pick that has any chance of affecting the election is the Veep, I'll focus there. I don't see what Richardson brings to the table. As a VP, yeah, he might be great. But it's the election that counts now and Richardson was very weak as a candidate and I don't think Obama wants someone who needs training wheels.

That said, other than excluding HRC, I don't know of a good person for the slot.

If the Edwards rumor proves to be just that, then I'd prefer him as AG. If his small head ran his big head, he's history.

You may be right. In fact, I was thinking of switching Biden and Richardson around as VP and Sec. of State-and that outcome seems more likely, anyway.

Allen773 · 28th July 2008, 10:22 PM

Update:After more thought, here's my revised list

Vice President: Tim Kaine
Secretary of State: Bill Richardson
Secretary of Defense: Robert Gates
Secretary of Commerce: Bobby Rush
Attorney General: Ed Rendell or John Edwards
Secretary of Agriculture: Bruce Babbitt
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Patty Murray
Secretary of Transportation: Christopher Ward
Secretary of Labor: William Gould
Secretary of Education: Mark Yudof
Secretary of the Treasury: Michael Bloomberg
Secretary of Energy: Ted Kulongski
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Jim Ramstad
Secretary of the Interior: Mark Gearan
Secretary of Veterans' Affairs: Jim Webb

Brainster · 29th July 2008, 12:08 AM

Babbitt's something of an antiquity; I could see him over at EPA (because he's currently head of the World Wildlife Fund), but not at Agriculture.

Let me suggest an extremely likely candidate for AG: Janet Napolitano. Two-time governor, term-limited out. Prior US attorney and Arizona Attorney General. Savvy and just conservative enough on issues like immigration to get through confirmation. She's, ahem, a single woman, which is part of the reason why she's not going to be veep (the other of course is that she's from Arizona, which Obama has to write off).

I absolutely think Obama will put her in a major slot.

Of course, if McCain wins, she'll be running for his Senate seat.

MaGZ · 29th July 2008, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Secretary of Commerce: Bobby Rush

What experience does Bobby Rush have in commerce? I know he was a former Black Panther. Is his commerce experience in the trafficking of drugs and weapons?

MaGZ · 29th July 2008, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by Allen773

Update:After more thought, here's my revised list

Vice President: Tim Kaine
Secretary of State: Bill Richardson
Secretary of Defense: Robert Gates
Secretary of Commerce: Bobby Rush
Attorney General: Ed Rendell or John Edwards
Secretary of Agriculture: Bruce Babbitt
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Patty Murray
Secretary of Transportation: Christopher Ward
Secretary of Labor: William Gould
Secretary of Education: Mark Yudof
Secretary of the Treasury: Michael Bloomberg
Secretary of Energy: Ted Kulongski
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Jim Ramstad
Secretary of the Interior: Mark Gearan
Secretary of Veterans' Affairs: Jim Webb

I think it would be a good idea to keep Robert Gates at Defense. Mike Bloomberg as Treasury Sec? That probably would be a step down for him. Also the same for Jim Webb, a step down.

Allen773 · 29th July 2008, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by MaGZ

What experience does Bobby Rush have in commerce? I know he was a former Black Panther. Is his commerce experience in the trafficking of drugs and weapons?

Actually, I think Olympia Snowe would be better.

Bobby Rush might be seen as pandering to the black vote.

Allen773 · 29th July 2008, 09:00 AM

Oh, and MaGZ-everyone here knows the reason why you don't want Bloomberg in the Cabinet.

Allen773 · 29th July 2008, 09:01 AM

My revised list

Vice President: Tim Kaine
Secretary of State: Bill Richardson
Secretary of Defense: Jack Reed
Secretary of Commerce: Olympia Snowe
Attorney General: Janet Napolitano
Secretary of Agriculture: Daniel J. Gustafson
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Mike Huckabee
Secretary of Transportation: Christopher Ward
Secretary of Labor: William Gould
Secretary of Education: Mark Yudof
Secretary of the Treasury: Michael Bloomberg
Secretary of Energy: Ted Kulongski
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Jim Ramstad
Secretary of the Interior: Mark Gearan
Secretary of Veterans' Affairs: Jim Webb

Allen773 · 29th July 2008, 09:02 AM

ETA:*double post*

mumblethrax · 29th July 2008, 10:07 AM

Some of your casting is too obvious. Go for some more surprising decisions! I think Secretary of Transportation, for example, would be a challenging yet rewarding role for Bloomberg.

dudalb · 29th July 2008, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by chipmunk stew

I think the point about the sitting Senators is that the Democrats may not want to leave so many seats open and vulnerable, just when they have secured such a solid majority.

Not to mention that being a Senator actually is a higher and more powerful position in many ways then being a Department head in DC,and some of the named senators will not give up their seats .

dudalb · 29th July 2008, 11:22 AM

It seems to me that Wes Clark would be a slam dunk for Defense.

MaGZ · 30th July 2008, 04:14 AM

Originally Posted by dudalb

It seems to me that Wes Clark would be a slam dunk for Defense.

That would be a good for the Jews and the warmongers in Israel.

Cleon · 30th July 2008, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by MaGZ

That would be a good for the Jews and the warmongers in Israel.

Really? How exactly would it benefit me--a Jew, though not a warmonger in Israel?

dudalb · 30th July 2008, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by Cleon

Really? How exactly would it benefit me--a Jew, though not a warmonger in Israel?

And how would it benefit them a lot since the SecDefense cannot really do much in the way of military action without orders from the White House?

Allen773 · 30th July 2008, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

And how would it benefit them a lot since the SecDefense cannot really do much in the way of military action without orders from the White House?

Barack Obama is half-black. To people like MaGZ, blacks and Jews are equivalent.

28th July 2008, 06:29 PM	#1
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Possible Obama Cabinet-My List As an Obama supporter, I was just researching who I thought would be the best candidates for Obama's Cabinet if he's elected. Here's my list. It draws from Senators, Governors, Representatives, with a few oddballs that are none of the above. It includes mostly Democrats, but also a few Republicans. Also, there's one Bush Cabinet member who I believe Obama should keep, at least for a year or two. Vice President: Bill Richardson Secretary of State: Joe Biden Secretary of Defense: Robert Gates Secretary of Commerce: Bobby Rush Attorney General: Ed Rendell Secretary of Agriculture: Bruce Babbitt Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Patty Murray Secretary of Transportation: Christopher Ward Secretary of Labor: William Gould Secretary of Education: Mark Yudof Secretary of the Treasury: Michael Bloomberg Secretary of Energy: Ted Kulongski Secretary of Health and Human Services: Jim Ramstad Secretary of the Interior: Mark Gearan Secretary of Veterans' Affairs: Jim Webb Feel free to debate me on the pros and cons of selecting these people for an Obama Cabinet. I'd love to hear some other opinions and some alternatives to the people I propose. Also, I strongly encourage anyone wishing to do a speculative Cabinet list for McCain, in this thread even.
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Last edited by Allen773; 28th July 2008 at 07:57 PM.

28th July 2008, 07:02 PM	#2
Brainster Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 10,420	He probably won't pick so many sitting senators. And Hillary will definitely stay in the Senate barring a Supreme Court nomination.
	__________________ My new blog: Recent Reads. 1960s Comic Book Nostalgia Visit the Screw Loose Change blog.

28th July 2008, 07:08 PM	#3
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Originally Posted by Brainster He probably won't pick so many sitting senators. And Hillary will definitely stay in the Senate barring a Supreme Court nomination. Good point, but Obama was struggling with Appalachian and blue-collar voters against Hillary. If, as Secretary of Labor, she has a good relationship with their unions, he could end up doing far better there if he runs for (hypothetical) reelection in 2012. And I don't think a half-dozen or so sitting Senators amongst 14 Cabinet members is too many, but I'm no expert.
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419

28th July 2008, 07:38 PM	#4
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	I removed Hillary and a couple Senators, Brainster, for a modified list.
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419

28th July 2008, 07:38 PM	#5
chipmunk stew The Spikey Mace of Love and Mercy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SE PA Posts: 7,465	Originally Posted by Allen773 Good point, but Obama was struggling with Appalachian and blue-collar voters against Hillary. If, as Secretary of Labor, she has a good relationship with their unions, he could end up doing far better there if he runs for (hypothetical) reelection in 2012. And I don't think a half-dozen or so sitting Senators amongst 14 Cabinet members is too many, but I'm no expert. I think the point about the sitting Senators is that the Democrats may not want to leave so many seats open and vulnerable, just when they have secured such a solid majority.
	__________________

28th July 2008, 07:50 PM	#6
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Originally Posted by chipmunk stew I think the point about the sitting Senators is that the Democrats may not want to leave so many seats open and vulnerable, just when they have secured such a solid majority. Well, I just removed several of the Senators from the list, so I understand your point and it's likely Obama does too. Right now, I count a total of 3 open Senate seats and 2 open House seats. This may change as more people post their input.
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Last edited by Allen773; 28th July 2008 at 07:59 PM.

28th July 2008, 08:06 PM	#7
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	By the way, I'd appreciate input on the pros and cons of these people being in Obama's cabinet individually.
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419

28th July 2008, 09:58 PM	#8
SezMe post-pre-born Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 16,369	Since the only pick that has any chance of affecting the election is the Veep, I'll focus there. I don't see what Richardson brings to the table. As a VP, yeah, he might be great. But it's the election that counts now and Richardson was very weak as a candidate and I don't think Obama wants someone who needs training wheels. That said, other than excluding HRC, I don't know of a good person for the slot. If the Edwards rumor proves to be just that, then I'd prefer him as AG. If his small head ran his big head, he's history.

28th July 2008, 10:00 PM	#9
shemp Timothy, Timothy, where on earth did you go? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: trapped in a cave-in with Joe Posts: 12,885	Gotta fit Gary Coleman and David Hasselhoff in there somewhere.
	__________________ Church on Sunday, sleep and nod Tryin' to duck the wrath of God Preacher's fillin' us with fright Tryin' to tell us what he thinks is right He really got to be some kind of nut (I can't use it!) Tryin' to make it real - compared to what?

28th July 2008, 10:12 PM	#10
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Originally Posted by SezMe Since the only pick that has any chance of affecting the election is the Veep, I'll focus there. I don't see what Richardson brings to the table. As a VP, yeah, he might be great. But it's the election that counts now and Richardson was very weak as a candidate and I don't think Obama wants someone who needs training wheels. That said, other than excluding HRC, I don't know of a good person for the slot. If the Edwards rumor proves to be just that, then I'd prefer him as AG. If his small head ran his big head, he's history. You may be right. In fact, I was thinking of switching Biden and Richardson around as VP and Sec. of State-and that outcome seems more likely, anyway.
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419

28th July 2008, 10:22 PM	#11
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Update:After more thought, here's my revised list Vice President: Tim Kaine Secretary of State: Bill Richardson Secretary of Defense: Robert Gates Secretary of Commerce: Bobby Rush Attorney General: Ed Rendell or John Edwards Secretary of Agriculture: Bruce Babbitt Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Patty Murray Secretary of Transportation: Christopher Ward Secretary of Labor: William Gould Secretary of Education: Mark Yudof Secretary of the Treasury: Michael Bloomberg Secretary of Energy: Ted Kulongski Secretary of Health and Human Services: Jim Ramstad Secretary of the Interior: Mark Gearan Secretary of Veterans' Affairs: Jim Webb
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Last edited by Allen773; 28th July 2008 at 10:31 PM.

29th July 2008, 12:08 AM	#12
Brainster Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 10,420	Babbitt's something of an antiquity; I could see him over at EPA (because he's currently head of the World Wildlife Fund), but not at Agriculture. Let me suggest an extremely likely candidate for AG: Janet Napolitano. Two-time governor, term-limited out. Prior US attorney and Arizona Attorney General. Savvy and just conservative enough on issues like immigration to get through confirmation. She's, ahem, a single woman, which is part of the reason why she's not going to be veep (the other of course is that she's from Arizona, which Obama has to write off). I absolutely think Obama will put her in a major slot. Of course, if McCain wins, she'll be running for his Senate seat.
	__________________ My new blog: Recent Reads. 1960s Comic Book Nostalgia Visit the Screw Loose Change blog.

29th July 2008, 05:59 AM	#13
MaGZ Suspended Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 6,319	Quote: Secretary of Commerce: Bobby Rush What experience does Bobby Rush have in commerce? I know he was a former Black Panther. Is his commerce experience in the trafficking of drugs and weapons?
MaGZ Suspended Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 6,319

29th July 2008, 06:11 AM	#14
MaGZ Suspended Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 6,319	Originally Posted by Allen773 Update:After more thought, here's my revised list Vice President: Tim Kaine Secretary of State: Bill Richardson Secretary of Defense: Robert Gates Secretary of Commerce: Bobby Rush Attorney General: Ed Rendell or John Edwards Secretary of Agriculture: Bruce Babbitt Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Patty Murray Secretary of Transportation: Christopher Ward Secretary of Labor: William Gould Secretary of Education: Mark Yudof Secretary of the Treasury: Michael Bloomberg Secretary of Energy: Ted Kulongski Secretary of Health and Human Services: Jim Ramstad Secretary of the Interior: Mark Gearan Secretary of Veterans' Affairs: Jim Webb I think it would be a good idea to keep Robert Gates at Defense. Mike Bloomberg as Treasury Sec? That probably would be a step down for him. Also the same for Jim Webb, a step down.
MaGZ Suspended Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 6,319

29th July 2008, 08:12 AM	#15
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Originally Posted by MaGZ What experience does Bobby Rush have in commerce? I know he was a former Black Panther. Is his commerce experience in the trafficking of drugs and weapons? Actually, I think Olympia Snowe would be better. Bobby Rush might be seen as pandering to the black vote.
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419

29th July 2008, 09:00 AM	#16
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Oh, and MaGZ-everyone here knows the reason why you don't want Bloomberg in the Cabinet.
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419

29th July 2008, 09:01 AM	#17
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	My revised list Vice President: Tim Kaine Secretary of State: Bill Richardson Secretary of Defense: Jack Reed Secretary of Commerce: Olympia Snowe Attorney General: Janet Napolitano Secretary of Agriculture: Daniel J. Gustafson Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Mike Huckabee Secretary of Transportation: Christopher Ward Secretary of Labor: William Gould Secretary of Education: Mark Yudof Secretary of the Treasury: Michael Bloomberg Secretary of Energy: Ted Kulongski Secretary of Health and Human Services: Jim Ramstad Secretary of the Interior: Mark Gearan Secretary of Veterans' Affairs: Jim Webb
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Last edited by Allen773; 29th July 2008 at 09:30 AM.

29th July 2008, 09:02 AM	#18
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	ETA:double post
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Last edited by Allen773; 29th July 2008 at 09:08 AM.

29th July 2008, 10:07 AM	#19
mumblethrax Species traitor Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,061	Some of your casting is too obvious. Go for some more surprising decisions! I think Secretary of Transportation, for example, would be a challenging yet rewarding role for Bloomberg.

29th July 2008, 11:20 AM	#20
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 22,792	Originally Posted by chipmunk stew I think the point about the sitting Senators is that the Democrats may not want to leave so many seats open and vulnerable, just when they have secured such a solid majority. Not to mention that being a Senator actually is a higher and more powerful position in many ways then being a Department head in DC,and some of the named senators will not give up their seats .

29th July 2008, 11:22 AM	#21
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 22,792	It seems to me that Wes Clark would be a slam dunk for Defense.

30th July 2008, 04:14 AM	#22
MaGZ Suspended Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 6,319	Originally Posted by dudalb It seems to me that Wes Clark would be a slam dunk for Defense. That would be a good for the Jews and the warmongers in Israel.
MaGZ Suspended Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 6,319

30th July 2008, 04:17 AM	#23
Cleon King of the Pod People Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 20,510	Originally Posted by MaGZ That would be a good for the Jews and the warmongers in Israel. Really? How exactly would it benefit me--a Jew, though not a warmonger in Israel?
	__________________ "People like me are what stand between us and Auschwitz." - Newt Gingrich

30th July 2008, 04:51 PM	#24
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 22,792	Originally Posted by Cleon Really? How exactly would it benefit me--a Jew, though not a warmonger in Israel? And how would it benefit them a lot since the SecDefense cannot really do much in the way of military action without orders from the White House?

30th July 2008, 05:13 PM	#25
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419	Originally Posted by dudalb And how would it benefit them a lot since the SecDefense cannot really do much in the way of military action without orders from the White House? Barack Obama is half-black. To people like MaGZ, blacks and Jews are equivalent.
Allen773 Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 419