Obama to Meet McCain: Will he, Should he, Ask McCain to be Energy Secretary?

It would be the ultimate "team of rivals", with the last 3 people standing in the Presidential campaign part of the White House. Personally, I would prefer someone like Amory Lovins, but McCain might be a wise political strategy.

John McCain as Secretary of Energy? Let us first consider the major objections:

1. McCain's own position on energy and global warming. Among all the policies McCain pursued, in this area he most closely approached the position of Democrats. There were clear differences in scope and in emphasis, but it was never clear how deeply McCain believed in the mantra to which his base forced him to kowtow.

2. McCain's insistence on nuclear energy. It is unlikely that McCain would have been successful pushing this policy, on the scale he proposed, even if he had become President. Moreover, if the costs of storage are included (and, at some level, they must be), nuclear is cost-effective.

3. McCain's opposition to federal spending of any kind. This seems to be the one visceral principle McCain holds dear. The program will be $15 billion per year. Can McCain swallow that, and support it, regardless of what the elements of it might be?

4. McCain's insane temper. This would not be a policy problem at Energy as it might be at Defense or had he become President. Nonetheless, it might compromise his ability to steer complex legislation through the Congress.

5. McCain's lack of attention to detail. That would be a fatal flaw for McCain to be Homeland Security Secretary. It might be a problem for McCain defending particular policies before Congress as the energy plan is going to be among the more complex that Congress has to handle. There are, however, others in the Department who could cover for his inattention.

6. McCain's interest only in himself. McCain wrote very clearly that his personal ambition was to be President; indeed, he wrote that personal ambition was the only reason for his seeking the Presidency. Now, McCain's Presidential ambitions are over. In 2010, he faces a re-election campaign probably against a very popular Governor, Janet Napolitano, that will not be a cakewalk and he may lose.

McCain may now look at his self-interest differently. After the lame, and sometimes scurrilous, Presidential campaign he ran, John McCain is in need of some rehabilitation prior to his departure from national politics. Serving as Energy Secretary in an Administration that changes the energy game, and simultaneously addresses global warming, may be a decent legacy for him.

Are these flaws fatal either individually or taken together? It depends on McCain's willingness, or ability, to voice his objections internally, and then support the program the President endorses wholeheartedly whether or not he agrees with every element.

The most important hurdle McCain would have to leap is his abhorrence of federal spending. The energy program Barack proposed is $15 billion per year for 10 years. Whether McCain could swallow that, and support it vigorously, is unclear. That would have to be a major consideration for both the President-elect and McCain.

Would McCain be interested?

McCain might see being a part of a "Team of Rivals" as his ultimate service to the country.

Comments

[thedirtman]

The perfect choice for Energy Secretary is Rep. Jay Inslee, author of "Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean Energy Economy ". Obama could also have someone in the cabinet to shoot hoops with.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Inslee

http://www.amazon.com/Apollos-Fire-Igniting-Americas-Economy/dp/1597261750/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

[Manx]

McCain wants to build large numbers of nuclear power plants but hasn't said where he would dump the nuclear waste. I hope Obama isn't serious about McCain as energy secretary. No, no a thousands time no.

[eden4barack08]

Let me think...hm­mm.....HEL­L NO!

Well, gut responses aside, I believe the goal of "Team of Rivals", while honorable for seeking differing opinions, is also to seek the BEST person for the job. Frankly, John McCain having a strong position on energy and global warming, is just another one of those McCain myths, that for years the press has gladly fed without questioning, on behalf of their ex-beloved, free-pass carrier hero. If we really got down to it, we would probably discover that he knows and cares about global warming and energy, about as much as his ex soulmate Palin did. Needless to say, that does not make the BEST person for the job. So, no, I wouldn't expect any position from PE Obama, if I were McCain.

[Suny]

Despite McCain's lip service to "global warming" concerns, while he repeatedly voted against and/or absented himself from every bill involving "energy efficiency" or alternatives, Obama may know more than meets the eye, so let's be fair...inc­luding the fact that one major reason why McCain claimed for choosing Palin over all other GOP contenders was that, "Gov. Palin knows more about energy than anyone else in the whole country!"

So, whether Obama goes for McCain or Palin, or any other OIL junky, basically Obama will have justified the "same old cynicism" that he declared he would heal! This is in many ways an even more crucial time to be there and keep fighting alongside him, while day and night "unfriendly" advice of all kinds is being thrust upon him. The Presidency can be a very isolating experience, which is why Obama core has to remain intact. McCain on the other hand should be left alone… to stare into the mirror a while to figure out who he really is now!

[ThePeacemakers]

No, baby, no.

[kylennblack]

McCain should never be allowed near energy ANYTHING. This is the kind of position that requires 21st century thinking and I have yet to see much evidence that McCain has made it past the 19th century.

Just. No.

[Suny]

There were indeed many POLICY OUTLOOKS why supporters pushed hard to help Obama defeat Clinton in the primaries. I understand that Obama owes something to Hillary & supporters for his victory, but certainly NOT his own brand. Becoming "President" (as McCain taught everyone) must not entail losing one's compass.
A Clinton Secretaryship does entail Mr & Mrs. Clinton advancing preexisting financial & political "Clinton initiatives" AND extending their power ten-fold worldwide through a "Presidency by proxy" that will assert a gate-keeper role to US Foreign Policy, controlling access to the White House, issues that will /will not be allowed to come to Obama's desk and what direction these will take. Obama needs a "loyalist" who will be guaranteed NOT to try to supersede him. More importantly, he needs THE person who shares his Foreign Policy. Despite the "goodwill" and "popularity" Mr. Clinton will lend Obama, the Mrs. Clinton's hard line on global conflicts -- "obliteration" of Middle Eastern/ any threats, the arrogant fist shaking/bluster approach over diplomacy, the promotion of the OIL interests, Free Trade over Fair Trade priorities, etc -- frankly, on most issues, Clinton suits a McCain/Palin State Dept. more than an Obama/Biden one!

It's messy at best - at worst a sell out! Nothing as "noble" as a "team of rivals." But the public spectacle that Obama "Transition Team" (crowded by Clintonites) has made over this prospect may have handicapped him to make a pact with a devil in the blue pant suit!

[Russycle]

Sorry John, "Drill, baby, drill!" is not an energy policy. Thanks for playing.

[marinade]

This would be the ultimate betrayal to the hope that the government would start doing things right.

McCain's energy plan is to open as many nuclear power plants as possible and to drill for oil wherever possible (ANWR).

That wouldn't be change. That would be looking for the easiest solution without any consideration of the long term cost.

[winnie47]

OMG , NO! What next? Sarah Palin as Secretary of Education?! A "Team of Rivals" is one thing, but this is turning into "The Keystone Kops"!

[FreeEnergy]

Now lets put our heads together and put togehter a nd create a plan to make America energy independent, you both talked about this so much during the canpagin,. I think we best be getting on with the promise of making America energy independen­t.Iran just asked OPEC to reduce production by yet another 1.5 million barrels per day.This past year and the record gas prices played a huge part in our economic meltdown and seriously damaged our society.We keep planning to spend BILLIONS on bailouts and stimulus plans.Bail us out of our dependence on foreign oil. Make electric plug in car technology more affordable. It cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gallon to drive an electric plug in car. The electric could be generated from wind or solar. Get with it! Utilize free sources such as wind and solar. Jeff Wilson's new book The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW outlines a plan for America to wean itself off oil. We need a plan and we need it now! www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com

[Countdown09]

Bill Richardson for Energy Secretary.

[winnie47]

I prefer him as Secretary of State. He already did SOE for the Clintons.

[democrattotheend]

I had the same thought a while ago, that McCain could be energy secretary. He and Obama mostly agree on energy issues and it would give us possibly the 60th seat in the Senate.

[winnie47]

Are you NUTS!? McCain ran on DRILL,BABY,DRILL and 'nucular' power plants (just NIMBY). He is against ethanol, which cost him Iowa, Indiana and Ohio (corn growing states). He WAS for wind and solar, till Exxon became his BFF. Then he said, quote: "These alternative energy sources like wind, solar, and biofuels will not be as useful as they seem". How is that compatible with Obama's clean alternative energy plan? Besides, McCain is schizo. On Monday he'd be for clean coal, then by Wednesday, he'd be all for growing switch grass!

[winnie47]

And Sarah Palin could be VP too, except for one thing: she'd be a train wreck in that position. And McCain would be a train wreck as SOE. He'd go all maverick-y on Obama.

[BCubedReg]

"Will he, Should he, Ask McCain to be Energy Secretary?"
__________­__________­__________­__________­__________­________

Absolutely no way!

McCain and Obama disagreed on every fundamental issue in the elcetion run-up. There are some republicans that are more moderate and open to support of Obama's policies and positions. McCain is not one of them.

[Glenn1441]

I don't think a cabinet position of any sort is in the works.

[winnie47]

From your lips to God's ears!