John Kerry For Secretary Of State. Max Cleland For Secretary Of Veterans Affairs

Over the past eight years, our standing in the world has plummeted and while there are many important decisions to made in the coming days, Secretary of the Treasury for example, there are two areas where I have a touch more experience and two men I believe, strongly, are the right men for the job.

Let's start with the position and the man for which there will be more debate.

John Kerry for Secretary of State.

This is going to be one of the critical positions in the Obama Administration and not one for the faint of heart. It needs to be filled by someone who is both actually understands the world around us and is passionate about making that world a better, safer place.

It also needs to be filled by a Democrat and not be one of the places where we look for bipartisanship where there is none. Of all the things completely fubared by the Bush Administration and its Republican supporters, our foreign policy is number one, top of the charts. Why on earth would we want to blur the lines between blue and red here? Democrat all the way at State I say.

Of all the people being considered for the job, frankly, John Kerry is best-suited for the role. A decorated war hero, John Kerry served his country when many others served their own interests. In 1968, young graduates from universities like Yale, men such as John, and his close friend David Thorne, had ample opportunity not to go to Vietnam but they did.

Wouldn't it be a tremendous benefit to have a combat veteran as Secretary of State? Someone who understands that real men and women fight and die in wars? I say yes.

It also would be a benefit to have a Secretary of State who is passionate and understands that climate change is an issue that effects all other issues. In his career in the United States Senate and in his personal life, John Kerry has been a passionate supporter of environmental issues and a passionate believer that we must act, and continue to act, to fight off the potentially catastrophic impact of global warming.

War and Climate Change are the two great issues facing our country and our world. John Kerry is better than any considered to address them.

For those who think otherwise, I'd ask you to consider this endorsement of the man.

I saw John Kerry fight through the primary process in 2003 and 2004. I saw John Kerry stand up, under immense pressure at the first debate in the fall of 2004. I watched as John Kerry handled the loss with dignity and after November 2004, I watched John Kerry carry on, and continue the fight.

I have seen John Kerry in the most public of moments, and standing alone with my young son. We would be fortunate to have him as our Secretary of State.

And now, Max Cleland.

On Max's behalf, there is the kharma argument and the qualification argument. On the karma side, we have a partial redemption since Jim Martin appears to at least have forced a runoff with Saxby Chambliss on December 2nd.

This, however, only partially heals the wound Max suffered in 2002. Max Cleland deserves to roll back into Washington, D.C. and get the hero's welcome he so richly deserves and be appointed Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

This is not an insignificant position and one not fraught with difficulty. The needs of an older generation of veterans, those of the Vietnam era, are colliding with the needs of a younger generation, those from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The need has grown and grown and grown and now is so dramatically out of whack that this department needs an inspirational leader that no Congressman, No Senator, No Congressional Budget Advisor could possibly deny or turn down.

Max Cleland is that man.

Max has the experience, he served as head of the VA under Jimmy Carter. He served as a US Senator. He knows veterans, he knows the issues, he knows the job.

There are many deserving men and women for these two roles. But these two men, I believe, are the best qualified and most deserving.

There's one more tie between them that is a tie best broken. Both were victims of the worst kind of political character attack that we have seen in recent history. Both were attacked, and really, destroyed politically, by lies and evil. As Max wrote here recently, "justice can be delayed but it never should be denied."

It will be not only justice but good our country if both these men are tapped for key roles in the Obama Administration.

To stay on top of all the news, articles and rumors about who will get what job, take a moment and stop by the Cabinet NewsLadder - you can even vote your favorites up.

To support Jim Martin in his runoff against Saxby Chambliss, please stop by this special ActBlue page.

Comments

[mredder4]

Just say no to John Kerry.

I'm reduced to copying this text and mailing a complaint to the editors, because this is the third attempt I am making to express my opinion, with the other two attempts (both written to adhere to the comment policy) having been deleted.

John Kerry is a bad choice, and I don't think I should have my comment deleted for thinking that.

[klondiker]

A lot of people have been suggesting Hillary Clinton for AG or Health and Human Services and Bill Clinton for SoS, or Colin Powell for Defense, Al Gore for SoE, and John Kerry for SoS. While all these are fine choices, here is my problem with them:

All of these people - Hillary and Bill Clinton, Colin Powell, John Kerry, and Al Gore are larger-than-life figures. My concern would be that the position would become ALL about them, and not about the issues. They would become the story. And this would distract significantly from President Obama's agenda.

I think it would be a much smarter idea to use these people in unappointed positions. For instance, get Hillary Clinton to shepherd health care through congress; get Bill Clinton to be a presidential envoy to the Middle East or South Asia (get him to broker a peace agreement in Kashmir - he's incredibly popular in South Asia, and this is the kind of job he would love!).

[mredder4]

And no to Bill Richardson while we're at it. If there was ever a greater example of how to blatantly swap loyalties in expectation of a Cabinet position, I haven't seen it. Bill Richardson is an opportunist, nothing more.

[MajorKong]

Cleland would be a fine choice but I'd like to see Tammy Duckworth considered as well.

[rockyrococoAZ]

Max Cleland would be an EXCELLENT pick for Secretary of Veterans Affairs!

[ESerafina42]

SURELY there must be qualified people outside the Senate. Why do people keep suggesting sitting Senators? (And yes, I know this only applies to Kerry.) But PLEASE, leave the Senators in the Senate. We've already lost two, even if their replacements are certain to be Democrats.

[larry278]

Former Sen Cleland is being mentioned for other posts. This man has contributed much more than his share to the USA. Grant him the courtesy of selecting the post he chooses.
During the final weeks of the campaign some suggested that Sen McCain take a post related to the welfare of veterans.
Dr Peake, of Walter Reed fame & shame, has been a disaster as Secretary of VA. Repairing & reversing the damages Dr Peake has done to the VA will be a large task. There is also the matters re: many years of neglect of the VA plus dealing with the back log in caring for newly disabled veterans. Allowing the VA to pay for care in the private [nonVA] sector by community providers will provide an alternative to VA facilities which are overcrowded. I'd rather have VA paid care in my community rather than going to a VA hospital that's 80 miles away.

[scooperss]

mccain working for veterans? The same man who has didn't vote for the last GI bill? The man who didn't want to search for fellow veterans in Vietnam? The man who thinks he's the one, the only veteran who matters?

NO NO NO

[larry278]

2 tru, Emanuel will put the kibosh on McCain serving President Obama & we veterans but some 1/2 @$$ed, 1/2 wit was trying to make nice with JSMcC when it became apparent that McCain wasn't going to be elected POTUS. JSMcC will get a nice scroll when he retires from the Senate courtesy of traditional veterans organizations, maybe they'll even put him on a committee. But scooperss is completely right; I, on the other hand, was completley wrong to repeat the suggestion that McCain work to aid veterans. McCain isn't respected or loved by veterans for the reasons scoopes has given to us.

[randall2]

I am puzzled at your thoughts on Kerry at State: I certainly concur both Cleland and Kerry perhaps should have strong roles; having said that, I believe the interests of the U.S. would be better served w/ Bill Richardson at State; odd that you do not appear to have entertained the idea. Aside from his bio------(ck. it out if you lack certainty), the man is just plain good cross-culturally, which is of great significance now. thanx

[secondedition]

For those that keep on rehashing the past let me tell you this. Most Americans respect Senator Kerry and most don't remember or even care about the stupid little Republican attacks and lies that were part of the 2004 election. Why do you think the American people rejected that type of politics this time around? Have you forgotten about the smears that followed Senator Obama and the gaffes he has made? Everyone loves a winner, but give Senator Kerry some credit- he came very close to winning in 2004. And, no, most people did not just vote for him because he wasn't Bush.
I frankly see no reason why Obama would not rush to offer this position to Senator Kerry. He is well qualified for this position and he and Obama share similar ideas on how to reshape our foreign policy. Honestly, our world opinion is so low and things so dangerous that Obama, Biden and Kerry would make a great team.
Oh, and one last thing, the Republicans are going to take every opportunity to play gotcha. No one is imune to this little game. And, it is unfair to just single out Kerry as being the only target.

[susie1776]

I can heartily second your endorsement of Max Cleland for Veterans Affairs. Another excellent candidate would be Paul Rieckhoff the founder of IAVA. But I don't agree about Senator Kerry mostly because I would REALLY like to see Gov Bill Richardson in that role. He has many years experience working with foreign countries as a negotiator and as Ambassador to the UN.

[jackie4444]

Give the Secretary of State to Max Cleland (tenacity, common sense, already been pounded and came out intact), head of Veterans Affairs to Colin Powell (who would be very strong in decision-making pro-vets, but who doesn't merit Secretary of State because of his misleading the country in the runup to Iraq, some kind of ambassador position to Kerry where he can sit with a glass of quality
wine and discuss the minutae of policy with his foreign counterparts.

[kjstjohn]

Yes, yes, yes to Max Cleland! And may I suggest Sarah Palin as ambassador to Africa?

[Gronamox]

You are out of your mind or probably being paid to spread Kerry's name. He is a stiff.
He is a snob, and he is not qualified to be Secretary of State. To call him a diplomat is so far off the mark, when he lacks even the common sense to stand up for himself and his war record. To stand mute while his name was dragged in the mud has made it clear-he is either a coward or he is incapable of caring what anyone says of him. And that is not an admirable trait when dealing with hostile nations. He must not be allowed into the tent, because he is a retread and a loser.

[NoLabelForMe]

James Boyce:

John Kerry will not be asked to serve in an Obama cabinet. Here is why:

1. John Kerry is a controversial character in American politics,
2. He is not viewed as a strong man of character around the world (perhaps not fair but true).
3. I do not believe Kerry is the strong negotiator and clear communicator needed for that critical job.

Is Kerry a good man? Certainly. Is he a noble, worthy Democrat? Absolutely. Are there better people for the job? Definitely. I am not sure Colin Powell will serve again, and even though I resent what he did at the UN under Bush, he would be a great pick for SoS. Bill Bradley would also be a good choice, but I don't think he's up for the heavy travel and seems to be getting older. Actually, I think Joe Biden will have more of a role in foreign affairs than is typical for a VP.

[buckbuck11]

I hope we don't sack the Senate and governor's mansions to fill the new administration. We need our veteran Senators in the Senate and Democratic governors in their states. Leave Kerry in the Senate. Leave Duval Patrick in Massachusetts. Get non-incumbents like Richardson.

However, I don't see any reason to bring in Colin Powell. He destroyed his credibility with his flunky role at the UN and the Chuck Hagels of the world, who obstructed everything of the last two years has no role to play in a bipartisan administration whatsoever.