KERRY Considers Cabinet Options

[liberalpragmatist]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52688-2004Oct21.html

...It was once assumed that Holbrooke, who was a U.N. ambassador under President Bill Clinton, was the front-runner. But campaign sources say Biden's stock soared after the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee played a central role in helping to turn the campaign around last month with a sharper focus on problems in Iraq. Some say that Holbrooke could be sent to the Middle East as a special envoy as a possible consolation prize.

In the end, both men might be passed over for state, campaign sources say, because Kerry has told friends he wants to tap a Republican for one of the top national security posts, preferably defense or state. Those under consideration include Sens. Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Richard G. Lugar (Ind.), as well as former senator Warren Rudman.

<snip>

While Kerry has not told friends who would land where, he has made it clear he would want women, minorities and Republicans in top posts, aides say. Jeanne Shaheen, a former New Hampshire governor and early Kerry backer, would almost certainly land a domestic post, perhaps the Department of Health and Human Services, a source close to Kerry said. Herman is considered by some aides as another possibility for chief of staff. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) is a possibility for homeland defense, as is Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

The list of minorities is longer. But Dennis Archer, former mayor of Detroit, and Deval L. Patrick, who are black, are considered in the running for attorney general. Jamie S. Gorelick, a member of the Sept. 11 commission, is also mentioned as a possible replacement for John D. Ashcroft.

<snip>

Some candidates are taking themselves out of the running. Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) has let it be known that he is not interested in heading the Labor Department. Others are lobbying hard for a job, including Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D), who could land at the Agriculture or Education Department, and Former Air Force Gen. Merrill McPeak, a likely pick for a top military post, campaign sources said.

[JohnKleeb]

1. Shucks I am surprised Gephardt has taken himself out of consideration

he'd be great for it,

[Melodybe]

2. Kerry said that he was not focusing on cabinets only winning the election

I don't believe the WP, Kerry doesn't seem to be doling out offices, he seems focused on winning.


Seems kinda like a smear piece, even though everything that they are saying is good.

[bluestateguy]

3. Can we not talk about this now?

Let's devote October to the campaign and hopefully we can worry about all this stuff in November, December and January. I just don't want to jinx things.

[Sugarbleus]

4. I'm dying to know who he would chose for certain positions but

this election is so tense, I'd imagine he would keep those decisions to himself until much later.

Things are so iffy out there that naming people already could be dangerous for his chances...seems odd but I think that it's true.

I can just hear/see RWer's howling at 'Guess who Kerry wants to be in such and such position..we can't vote for him'..blah blah

[Melodybe]

5. That is why I think that the Post is lying.

Kerry specifically said on Letterman that he was doing no such thing, nor would he until after the election.

As a Boston fan I think he knows a little something about dealing with a jinx.

I just don't believe a word of this story.

[Sugarbleus]

6. Yep.... n/t