Announce Hillary as Secretary of State

With the Palin media frenzy still in high gear, it's imperative that Obama take back the excitement momentum. One powerful way to shake up the race again would be to begin publicly announcing his Cabinet, beginning with the appointment of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, assuming she agrees to take the position.

This would not only give the public a deeper sense for what an Obama administration would look like. It would reignite the passions of devoted Hillary followers as they are assured of the power and influence that she would wield in an Obama administration.

Hillary Clinton has, by all accounts, demonstrated her credentials to be the President. The Secretary of State plays a key role in positioning America on the global stage and representing our interests abroad, as well as acting as an adviser to the President. It is the single most powerful and visible role in the Cabinet and a role for which she is eminently qualified. Such a position would also harness more of the wisdom gleaned from eight years of the Clinton administration and augment the foreign policy expertise that Biden brings.

In terms of election dynamics, such an announcement would turn the headlines back to Obama's candidacy, with some pundits calling it a brilliant tactical move to regain Hillary's supporters and others calling it a reaction to the Palin buzz. The debate itself would shift the fascination from the Palin pick, as well as subtly highlight the fact that Obama's Secretary of State would be more qualified to be President than McCain's VP.

With a defined role in the coming Obama administration, Hillary's campaign events could have renewed vigor and visibility and those followers who have felt slighted and thus inclined to support Palin would have an additional reason to vote Democratic.

The next logical step with such an approach would be to announce further Cabinet picks, which would grab headlines, illuminate details about his administration's plans, and add powerful leaders to the campaign trail. As the full Obama team becomes more visible, with specific leaders able to talk about concrete policies that can solve America's formidable problems, voters can more easily look beyond the personalities at the top of the ticket and instead look at the programs and teams that can implement those policies. And it is in the details of their plans for America where the most important differentiators between McCain and Obama can be found.

By publicly announcing his Cabinet picks in advance, Obama would break historical precedent, demonstrating his role as change agent. Ironically, the stage is already set for this move since both McCain and Obama on 9/11 agreed to a Cabinet level position for Service and offered the position to their opponent if they win. In the long term, a shift towards early announcement of key Cabinet members would make good sense. After all, a venture capitalist will rarely invest in business ideas without assessing the full team that can execute a plan. Similarly, the American people should have a better sense for the full leadership team that will constitute an Administration rather than just the #1 and #2. Even better is a strategic plan for how to implement policies, which Cabinet members can be invaluable in fleshing out.

In today's world of complexity, a President can only process so much information. It is beholden upon his or her Cabinet to be voices of wisdom, balance, and innovative ideas. The mark of a great leader is that they surround themselves with excellent leaders rather than yes-men or yes-women. Picking Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State and announcing that now would give us further insight into the caliber of leadership that Barack Obama would bring as President.

Follow Stephen H. Dinan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/stephendinan

Comments

[benne]

A ploy that would only show how sexist he is. The problem here is that his gender politics are so glaringly apparent. The Palin pick only reinforced what people know, feel, and experience.

[standard]

It may be time to wake up from this inaccurate dream you're feeling and experiencing. The only "gender politics" Barack Obama has engaged in is being political while male. Mrs. Clinton lost the primaries this year for three reasons: her campaign was poorly managed, her campaign was underfunded, and she "misspoke" about her own credentials and Sen. Obama's positions on the issues just often enough that it caught the attention of half the Democratic Party, men and women alike.

[notthistime]

Wrong, wrong wrong.

Health and Education. Strong areas for Hillary that is where she is most passionate.

[dmsdzinr]

Hillary MUST BE part of the Obama cabinet! So should Al Gore be energy Czar. Hagel is a GREAT IDEA, as is Wesley Clarke. I think if Obama were to anounce at least 5 KILLER cabinet positions , he would WALK AWAY with this election!

[minty]

Why are you all screaming for Hillary Clinton to save Barak Obama now? Why are you calling for Obama to "demonstrate those leadership qualities" by pandering to Clinton supporters who everyone claimed they didn't need? Wasn't this the place that claimed that Hillary Clinton didn't generate any excitement only Barak Obama was the exciting candidate of the future? Wasn't Hillary Clinton the dried up hag a few months ago?

When are you all going to admit that you were wrong in your political judgement and you all are not as intelligent as you once thought? Hillary Clinton cannot "save Barak Obama". It is a silly delusion to even think a non-candidate for the presidency can save the candidate for the presidency.

[standard]

This is a horrendous idea.

It might advance Hillary Clinton's agenda, but would almost certainly destroy Barack Obama's chances of winning. In the 1948 election, Thomas E. Dewey named his cabinet during the campaign. That was seen as arrogant by some and gave everyone opposed to anyone Dewey named an excuse not to vote for Dewey. Dewey lost . No competent politician has adopting this failed tactic since.

As a separate matter, Mrs. Clinton would make an excellent Secretary of Health and Human Services, but nothing in her background has prepared her to be Secretary of State. Nothing. Madeleine Albright, Zbigniew Brzezinski, William Cohen, George Mitchell, Walter Mondale, Colin Powell or Bill Richardson would be WAY better picks. For that matter, so would William Jefferson Clinton.

[fabhell]

I agree. Mrs. Clinton would be IDEAL as Secretary of Health and Human Services. This, she understands, implicitly.

[didyounotice]

I agree, and have been advocating this for quite some time. This will nip the experience argument in the bud and derail/dilute the Palin "phenom".

[SpoxLogic]

The article presupposes that Hillary would actually accept that position, if offered. What if he asked her and she turned it down? Then the media would have a field day with that little bit of meat.

[goredstates]

Very bad idea for the Dems. It would just emphasise the mistake in not choosing Hillary as VP and just look like a stunt. The better choice would be to replace Biden with her.

[jayburd]

It's quite clear from the past 2 weeks that political stunts work. It would be a brilliant move and it would be an idea that sticks. Sure, some would dismiss it as a stunt but there would be an

However, Hillary would probably prefer, and rightfully so, a cabinet position that would put her in charge of healthcare. But the idea of Obama beginning to announce potential members of his cabinet is a sound one, I think. It will show that he means business and at the same time allay the fears of certain voters who may still be knowingly or unknowingly held back by the race issue.

[omac112211]

I have been calling for this for a loooooooooooooooong time.

Obama needs to name at least 5 members of a cabinet team. Its been done before in a presidential campaign.

He can name Hagel, Clinton, Wesley Clarke, Seibelius, Tim Kaine in positions. This will continue the momentum he now has!

[didyounotice]

Good idea, Omac.

[XME]

I disagree primarily because he needs to put the most qualified person in each position, and it's simply not her strong point and would be seen for what it was: pandering. If anything, she should be Sec. of Health and Human Services.

[BADEN]

Supreme Court.

[zanzig]

I agree with the premise that Senator Obama should announce his Cabinet team. For a man who has run on the promise that he operates by consensus, it is a curious omission that he has not told the country who will be on the leadership team. Obama has very clearly indicated that he will not make decisions in isolation; should we not know the calibre of the people with whom he will consult? I disagree however, with the pick of Senator Clinton for Sec of State; she would definitely be better in Health or Social Security, playing to her strengths (as demonstrated during the primaries), but I could also see her as AG (her professional nous).

[Hekerui]

Won't work - healthcare is a domestic issue. Having her campaign with Biden is the best solution left - but she won't be able to do much without being on the ticket.

[klondiker]

I don't know if this is a good idea. It would look too much like a stunt. Also, some people might see it as being too presumptuous, which would only fuel the stereotype that Obama is too arrogant.

Also, I think Hillary Clinton`s talents can be used better in other roles. I would appoint her as Health Care Czar, which doesn`t need to be an official position (Hillary can keep her Senate role and shepard the bill through Congress). Hillary has a great future in the party as the next Teddy Kennedy, and getting her mark on universal health care would be an excellent start.

With regards to Sec. of State, I would like to see a fresh voice (Samantha Power maybe) or someone with an expertise in Middle East affairs (Noah Feldman, perhaps?)

[WendyKa]

Great idea