Obama: Name Your Cabinet

Okay, let's cede a point, the Republicans were brilliant, if cynical, in nominating Sarah Palin for VP. It one-upped Obama in newness, in a year when newness matters, and it shines a different kind of light on McCain, he got his "maverick" back -- even though he never really was that much of a maverick. Obama can try to refute it, but it probably isn't worth it, it probably won't work.

So is Obama stuck on the sidelines, like McCain was when he took his European pre-victory tour? Is there any way Palin's sparkly newness could fade before Election Day? The answers seem, at first to be yes he is stuck and there's no way to make her seem less new before we vote. So, do we lose, as Adam McKay thinks we must in today's Huffpost?

His theory is pretty solid -- he says that four companies own broadcast media, and they're incentivized to only air the hottest images. That's why McCain looked so sour when Obama went to Europe. In a golf cart looking old, with an even older Bush I, while our hero, Young Obama was greeting heads of states and speeching to hundreds of thousands of rapt Germans. The visuals were so compelling, it didn't matter that he wasn't President, he looked like one, and he looked good as one.

They don't care if you're lying, as Obama basically was (without giving voice to the lie), as the McCains are, as long as it's hot, you get air.

Ed Rollins says that Obama should have chosen Hillary, and maybe he's right, the thought had crossed my mind. Although I didn't imagine I could vote for her if she won the primary back in the spring, I had the thought yesterday, listening to Biden on Meet the Press (he was great, btw), that I could actually vote for her. Who cares if Bill is a bastard, I love the speech he gave at the DNC, and I'm sure if Obama had lost the primary he would have given an equally stirring speech on behalf of Hillary. He would have said "We have to defeat the Republicans, at all costs, including our pride," and I would have agreed wholeheartedly. I can get my pride back in December, as long as we win in November. We can't let them win by Swiftboating us again, not this time. We have to play to win, and if that means playing dirty, so be it.

So here's the dirty little thing Obama can and should do, imho.

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Are you ready?

Hehe.

Name your Cabinet!

In a major break with tradition, in a year when tradition counts for naught, he should show us the depth of the Democratic bench and show us the role that powerful women will play on his team. And for the racist vote, powerful white people too (and Hispanics).

He should show voters who may be thinking about voting for McCain because of Palin that they can be inspired, they will be inspired, without compromising on health care, jobs, keeping their homes, getting their kids good educations, rebuilding our infrastructure, and bringing our troops home. This is what change looks like, says Barack Obama -- and show them, visually. (That's what really counts, don't yah know? You betcha.)

Now when each of the nominated Cabinet members shows up at a campaign stop they're not just surrogates, they're The Government.

Now, you might say, McCain will just match this move, but you'd be wrong -- he can't. The Republicans don't have that kind of depth. They just don't have it. That's why McCain says there will be lots of Democrats in his administration, he has no choice, there aren't enough qualified Republicans to fill the positions.

And by the way, here's a second chance to put Hillary on stage in more than a ceremonial role, with more than a sliver of hope for her and her followers. Offer her anything to get her on board. First choice of any Cabinet position she wants. Secretary of State or Defense or Treasury -- FBI or CIA director or Homeland Security. Baseball commissioner. Doesn't matter. And at the same time, really help her retire her campaign debt. Again, the visual is what matters. Hillary on stage, with power and pride. That should push the Republicans off the air.

I like Jon Corzine, the governor of New Jersey. Now he's got some executive experience, and he's one hell of a congenial guy, and smart to boot. Don't forget Bill Richardson! I still wouldn't count out Al Gore.

And Janet Napolitano from (eeks!) Arizona, and Kathleen Sebelius from Kansas, Claire McCaskill from Missouri, Evan Bayh from Indiana, Jim Webb from Virginia. Chris Dodd from Connecticut, someone from Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Want to have some fun? As much as I don't trust him, make an offer to Colin Powell.

I would suggest just filling a few positions at once, to get the press to start speculating anew about who else you might tap.

What do you think??

Comments

[Cabinetbuff]

I think this the most realistic with a nice balance with race, gender, and political party (a little heavy on the Democrats).

State: Bill Richardson
Treasury: Timothy Geithner or Bill Bradley
Defense: Colin Powell
Justice: Diane P. Wood
Interior: Arnold Schwartzanager
Agriculture: Patty Judge
Commerce: Penny Pritzker or Valerie Jarrett
Labor: Linda Sanchez
HHS: Tom Daschle
HUD: Shirley Franklin
Transportation: Elaine Chao
Energy: Federico Pena
Education: Paul Vallas ( but it will end up being Linda Darling-Hammond)
Veterans Affairs: Tammy Duckworth
Homeland Security: Timothy J. Roemer
EPA: Kathleen Sebelius
UN Ambassador: John Kerry

[comeonnow]

Wow. I hope everyone is aware this is ILLEGAL to name your cabinet prior to the election:

http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/ezraklein_archive?month=08&year=2008&base_name=against_early_cabinest_against

Even if it is arguably legal, I wouldn't want the next 60 days filled up with an argument about whether or not Obama is in violation of a Federal Statute and I don't think the Repubs would hesitate to make that argument. This is a Briar Patch of Epic proportions.

[Lust4Lost]

Agreed 100% and have been saying the same thing for a while now. This is the chance to show how he/we can reach across the aisle
Hagle for Defense
Schwarzeneger for Energy
Hillary for Attorney General

[studmoose]

Jon Corzine, you"re kidding?

It seems that the only thing that Governor Corzine knows how to do, besides politicking for Clinton & Obama, is floating billion dollar bonds and raising a couple hundred taxes. NJ is now the 48th or 49th most business hostile state in America. The economy is faltering, all the while the state debt/budget grew 45% this year alone!

Mr. Corzine spent almost $60 Million of his own money to buy the election away from Richard Codey. He supposedly gave millions to county Democratic headquarters to get the their nod. GOLDMAN SACHS FORCED CORZINE OUT!

There is an ACTIVE recall campaign against him. Governor Corzine's approval rating that MATCHES George Bush"s. Many people in this state are not contributing any more money to Obama as they are concerned that Corzine will be appointed to something like the Secretary of Treasury " OMG!

If Governor Corzine were concerned about New Jersey, he wouldn"t have spent most of his time over the past year trying to secure a cabinet position from Hillary Clinton and the Barack Obama. REMEMBER: A few short months ago, Mr. Corzine was trashing Obama to sway support to Hillary!

On multiple radio stations, it is stated that Corzine is trying to find a quick exit from this state! He will not win another election, unless it is for county poultry inspector!

Jon Corzine " Don"t make me laugh.

But then again, there is a lot of support for Sarah Palin " so go figure?

[qxav949]

My first inclination is to agree wholehertedly with this idea. I often wondered why such a move was traditionally shunned until I asked a friend who opined, "suppose he lost the election? He and his shadow government would look foolish." Besides, some purists and traditionalists in the electorate may be offended by this brash show before the election and may consider it as counting eggs before they're hatched.
Now, after such a f^^kin' downer, I wasn't so keen on the idea. But I guess that it can be positively spun from the outset that it plays to the "change" mantra. After all, what's more change than forming the administration BEFORE the election? Risky but with the right spin, it might just work. I think.

[advafg]

As the the Obama Camp is aware, this race will hinge on race.

Whites are afraid that government jobs will be allocated disproportionately to minorities. By introducing a roster of cabinet candidates before the election, Obama will send a clear signal to the majority that he will be friendly to them.

A prominent white female(s) cabinet member(s) in the lineup would sway some of the Clintonistas and the Palin-ites.

[RumiSouth]

THANK YOU! I have been calling for this very idea for months now! There is no stronger contrast between the candidates than who they would bring into the White House with them. LET MCCAIN ANSWER! What has he got?

Imagine a commercial like this: 'John McCain wants to put Phil "the recession is all in your head" Gramm in charge of the Treasury Department? No way! Barack Obama will appoint..., with a proven track record fo fiscal accountability."

[cherlybear]

LOVE this idea! Hope Obama camp is reading this...!

[1will]

Hillary would not want to serve in Obama's Cabinet. She has no desire to work for Obama and be subject to "Resigning" at his whim. Then there's the constant Bill and Hillary scandals that plague the happy couple. Now if Obama offered Hillary (or Bill) a Supreme Court seat should one open up or a UN Ambassadorship for Bill she'd probaly do cartwheels up and down Penn. Avenue. Until then she'd be a fool to give up her position of power to work for a man she dislikes.
I wish Obama would pick his cabinet. I question his judgement and can't believe the people he chooses to surround himself with. But hey, he only keeps them around for a couple of decades before realizing what they're like. Many Americans no doubt agree with me and wonder if he would have a Cabinet filled with Frank Marshall Davis, Rev Wright, Pfleiger, Rezko or Ayers types.

[fairwitness]

Yes--why the hell not? Change the Sarah Pain obsession in the media. Get Hillary on board bigtime and NOW!

[maveman]

name the best regardless of party but definitely of the same view on economic and social issues--all people would appreciate that-it is the home run that McCain just scored with Palin!

[crawforo]

Obama needs to make some phone calls and get this going! It's a
brilliant idea and would take St. Sarah and McSame off the front pages.
Send your idea to Obama, PLEASE!

[michellekraus]

So Dave do all bright minds think alike? Check out my post and let's figure out how we crawled into each others minds. I could not agree more. M

[leoeris]

Well, for all of you who think we should do it the same way we always have, what the hell happened to the verb, "CHANGE".

[leoeris]

You gotta get Gore in there, too.