Can We Please Have A Pro-Choice, Pro-Environment Secretary of State?

There are rumors that Richard Lugar and Chuck Hagel are seriously being considered for the Secretary of State gig, and Sam Stein reports that Lugar has the inside track (although Lugar has said he's not interested).

One of the biggest challenges the new Secretary of State will face is dealing with whatever replaces the Kyoto agreement.  Hagel has a 9% 2008 rating from the League of Conservation Voters.  Lugar scores 18%.  (PDF) Are they really the best people for the job?

Further, the Bush Administration has been murderous in its policies regarding women's health, choice and reproductive rights around the world.  Lugar and Hagel are both rabidly anti-choice.  

Women turned out big in this election -- unmarried women in particular voted 70-29 for Obama.  I don't imagine Dick Lugar, Chuck Hagel and Larry Summers were exactly what they had in mind when they turned up at the voting booth.

Susan Rice and John Kerry, who would both be excellent, are also in the mix -- and the decision has evidently not yet been made.  If we really are intent on cleaning up our image (and our mess) around the world, please let's have someone who represents our best and brightest in such a critical post. 

Let's not send some Republican relic who's not on board with the kind of change we need.

Jane Hamsher blogs at firedoglake.com

Read more reactions from HuffPost bloggers to Barack Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election

Comments

[fatherof4]

I find it somewhat ironic that you use the word "murderous" in regards to the Bush policies. So I guess what you are saying is that policies are murderous, but abortion clinics are not. Interesting.....

[mongus]

John Kerry is the man for Sec. of State.

[Danigirl65]

Sorry - don't see the "pro-choice" requirement for Secretary of State (and I'm a woman). My Congress members and Senate members and my President, yes - I don't see the necessity in this position.

[GeorgiaOrwell]

With all due respect, I seriously disagree as both women's rights and the environment are key components in countries around the world that we deal with. Think Kyoto Protocol and the European Union's stance on the environment, and how they would like to see the US take a positive role in this.

Think stonings of women in Somalia and other places in the Middle East. The Secretary of State should have a broader outlook when dealing with other countries as violence takes many forms and has an enormous impact on our planet and its citizens, particularly when it comes to children, women, animals, and the environment. The Secretary of State represents the US on multiple issues that relate to war, but is not limited to war-time activities.

[Figural]

I've served in public office at local level; it's easy for a good political operator to undermine policies they don't actually agree with. If I was looking for someone to fill an important policy post I'd want to see a prior demonstrated sharing of the chief's philosophy and objectives. Debate over how to achieve the objectives is part of the process, debate over the philosophy itself, isn't. That's the lesson I learned, it was a bitter one. YMMV.

[mergina]

YOWSER. I SECOND THAT EMOTION.

[Figural]

Climate change and the evironment is a huge security issue. Loss of livable land due to drought or rising sea levels means floods, and I mean many millions, of refugees. This is why India is building a barrier along its border with Bangladesh, to keep out people desperately trying to survive.
America generously funds AIDS treatment in third world countries, but not the reproductive health choices that would help prevent its spread in the first place. Effective support for women's reproductive health choices would have a huge benefit for the welfare of women, children, and through them, whole societies in the third world.
The world needs America to have policies that would address both these issues, and a secretary of state who believes in them. Neither Hagel nor Lugar appear to be that person; Richardson does, perhaps Kerry, too.
2p worth from the U.K.

[GeorgiaOrwell]

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. should be either Secretary of State or head of EPA. The environment and women's rights both are desperate for a passionate supporter - this should not be just a political decision; let someone who cares about these issues and is knowledgeable about foreign affairs be the one.

[Whatgoingon]

Chuck Hagel is the man. Youtube some of his videos. I just can't see Kerry or Richardson as a secretary of state for some reason. I like Hagel, and I hate republicans.

[RiggsMD]

Bill Richardson is the man for the job, period!

[dubster]

I'm absolutely appalled! Hagel? Lugar? Kerry? Rice? Really!? Over Governor Richardson, REALLY? This is a no-brainer, the appropriate pick for SoS is Gov. Richardson without question. This is a man that still serves as a roving diplomat and globe trotting trouble shooter, even though last time I checked it wasn't a job qualification for governorship. In addition, Richardson has been recognized for negotiating the release of hostages, American servicemen, and political prisoners in North Korea, Iraq, and Cuba. He's also gone toe to toe with tyrants such as Kim Jong Ill, Fidel Castro, and Saddam Hussein. He's brokered a cease fire in Darfur with rebel groups. This litany is much longer in terms of foreign policy achievements and endeavors. It would be an outrage and disgrace to not give Governor Richardson this post in the new administration.

[LizM]

It looks like there might be more than one definition of what we all mean when we talk about the change we need.

As much as I think that either Hagel or Lugar would be a perfect choice to head up the state department, I"m wondering what might prevent the next Secretary of State from also being the next Vice President. Seriously! I mean, think about it...unless there is some sort of constitutional roadblock to such a move, it would be a perfect fit...okay, I"M KIDDING!...sort of...of course, it would be a lot of work for one man, even for an extraordinary statesman like VP-elect Biden.

But, I"m really just hoping that VP Biden will be the final authority in how the administration handles the situation in Iraq insofar as promoting a sustainable political solution that allows for the responsible withdrawal of US forces without leaving a failed state behind. And, last time I checked, Joe Biden is still the only one on the face of the planet who intimately understands what will be required to make this happen and who has developed and honed a comprehensive and viable strategy to do just that.

[mbilinsky]

Chuck Hagel has fought Bush tooth and nail for the past 6 years and basically called for his impeachment. I hardly consider those the actions of a "Republican relic." The guy is supremely well versed in international affairs (particularly Afghanistan) and has a mile deep relationship with Joe Biden. I have no problem with him as Sec. of State.

[trubski]

I have no problem with either Hagel or Lugar. Kerry doesn't have the cojones, nor does Susan Rice. That isn't sexist (Albright did have the cojones), simply obvious.

I am encouraged by all of this. I devoutly hope that Obama will not be a creature of The Left, but will govern from a strong center. And I think he knows what the hell he is doing, too.

We elected him. Now let the man work.

[SonofLiberty1]

And there are DEMOCRATS THAT ARE PRO LIFE!

[SonofLiberty1]

One more thing Jane...

When they become part of a president's cabinet...

They become DEMOCRATS...if the president elect is a democrat.

Read a little history will you?

[TheHandyman]

Wow, what a pithy retort. What do you have to say about Lieberman? I think it is you who needs to do more than read a little history! They become Democrats, what a laugh.

[usreporter]

hear hear