Now that Rahm is in IL and Nancy is out of power. Time for the President

[karynnj]

23. History disagrees except for the VP

I don't think a single Secretary of State, UN ambassador or Secretary of Defense - even if they were also a governor or Senator - has been a strong candidate for the Presidency. (Richardson was one who tried and he was a poor second tier candidate.) It also ignores his age - just as others have said that Biden and Clinton may be too old - Dean may be too.

As you say, timing would be a problem. You can't both be Secretary of State (or anything but VP) and run a campaign for President - it is both impractical and not allowed. Therefore, you need to quit before you are seriously running. You are right that that 2 years might be needed - meaning that they would have to be incredible for 2 years and then quit. Unless Obama were 100% ok with that, it would look really bad. Not to mention, you are speaking of positions with long learning curves. (Even if you were speaking of someone already 100% involved in foreign policy, this won't work.)

To move this away from your natural desire to see a President Dean - rethink this using Senator Kerry. Kerry has, as Senator, had diplomatic successes when called upon to take that role by the President and he is both 100% up to speed and is well known to all the major players in other countries. This would position him to be immediately effective. Still, it is impossible to believe that he would be SoS for 2 years, implementing Obama's policies, leave and run for President. If he were given that position and if he took it, it would be the capstone to a remarkable career of service. Although incredibly energetic and fit, he also would be too old to consider it - and likely too committed to resign after 2 years if he was doing good things.