A few weeks back Ilan Goldenberg and others debated who should be the Secretary of Defense in a Democratic administration. Ilan persuasively argued against Chuck Hagel as Sec Def - but that leads to the obvious question over who should be the Sec Def in a Democratic administration?
With all the talk swirling over who will be the VP nominee -- I am surprised that no one has mentioned HRC as a possible Secretary of Defense. HRC has been on the Armed Services committee since she came to the Senate and has greatly impressed those in uniform and military wonks with her knowledge and expertise. I have heard a number of anecdotes from people sent in to brief her on a given military subject that she was often just as knowledgeable about the subject as the briefer. Also talk about breaking glass ceilings -- it would be enormously path-breaking to have a woman in charge of our most manly of institutions. And from her perspective the position of Sec Def will no doubt be of great importance and influence given that the next administration will be embroiled in two wars.
Of course there are reasons why Hillary would not want such a role and why Obama would want to look in an another direction. But as baseless speculation amps up over the VP nominee, I am surprised there has been no baseless speculation about Hillary in the Pentagon.
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Because she is a war monger just like Rumsfeld, that's why.
The only job Obama should consider giving her is to man the White House switchboard on the swing shift.
I'd like to see Hillary Clinton made a Supreme Court Justice -- if for nothing else than the satsifaction of hearing 25% of the country's heads explode when the entire Rabid Rightwing of this country has a collective aneurysm. ;-D
Why no talk of Sec. of Def.?
Because many, many of us would prefer never again to have to listen to either of the Clintons about anything.
That's why.
This could work. Obama offers her the job, she quits the Senate to take it, after 2 months he fires her and instantly she disappears. Wes Clark.
How about talking about policies rather than giving this or this position to "reward" someone?
In this sense HRC is the last person I would want as defense secretary because she is to visible. We need someone with deep understanding of the military and security issues but who understands that costs have to be kept under control (smart bombs and a nuclear arsenal didn't protect us from 9/11 and are of no use in Irak and Afghanistan), and that foreign relations should be led by the State Department not Defense.
Which brings me to next point I would like to see discussed: what are the intentions of the candidates regarding the State Department? IMHO we need some heavyweights there. At the head someone with a wide range of expertise and the ability to coordinate a team with some strong deputies each in charge of a major issue.
This is also true of the Interior.
For to long increasing budgets has been the only way the WH and Congress have shown their concern for an issue or the other. We need the gvt to coordinate national efforts in every area, this for and foremost requires expertise rather than large budgets.
Agreed.
I would go as far as keeping Bob Gates at least initially. He knows the problems through and through and seems to be a decent person. He inherited a crappy situation and from what I read here and there is often frustrated by the obtuseness and secrecy of Bush/Cheney.
Exactly.
I would also add we shouldn't be looking in the Senate or in the House for the people we need in the cabinet. (Who had ever heard of Kissinger, Schultz, Baker or Albright before they were appointed as State Sec?)
Chuck Hagel for the spot.
Across the aisle, and his social conservatism won't have impact.
Simple.
Secretary of Health and Human Services, MAYBE. Definitely not of defense thought!
Hillary does not deserve any spot in the cabinet or anywhere else. She can stay in the Senate as long as people will vote for her, we don't want to hear from her again.
Is a cabinet slot that much more prestigious than being a respected member of the Senate?
Ambassador to Iraq. She helped break, she can help fix it.
I want Webb for Defense.
OUCH - THAT IS FRIGID!
You can't be serious.
This is the woman who voted for Bush's war because she thought it would burnish her hawk credentials for a presidential run in 2008. And she did so without even bothering to read the national intelligence estimate. Had she done so, maybe it would have been harder for her to authorize Bush to go to war...just to serve her political needs. I mean, we were talking about sending America's sons and daughters to fight a war with a country with no link to 9/11...and very flimsy evidence about WMD. Many, including Sen. Ted Kennedy, saw this for what it was early on and voted against it...in spite of the mood of the country at that time. And, as we all know, an unknown Illinois state senator was able to predict the consequences of this unjust war...and spoke out passionately against it.
Not long ago, Hillary also cast a troubling vote on Iran. She then threatened to oliterate that country...in an attempt to make herself look tough compared to her Democratic rival, Barack Obama.
No, no...matters of war and peace are best left to those who won't use the position to further their political ambitions. Yes, I know the President would be the Commander-In-Chief. But the Sec Def would still be in a position to wield influence in critical, delicate matters. Other than president, I can't think of a positition for which Hillary is less suited.
Are you kidding me? She will be another Ronald Rumsfeld except that, she will be more than eager to push the "Red Button". The world will be a ticking time bomb towards WW3.
She wants to obliterate Iran.
Disqualified.
Senator Jim Webb
I think Clinton should have a special position, either Healthcare Czar or Secretary of Economic Development.
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Posted June 4, 2008 | 11:35 AM (EST)