who should be Kerry's Sec of Defense?

[ButterflyBlood]

the obvious pick and my favorite would be Clark, but he's ineligible. I'm curious of as to why the 10 years rule exists, all it does is eliminate the best and most qualified candidates, as it does here.

I personally think Cohen was one of Clinton's biggest mistakes. It didn't seem so bad at the time, Cohen was fairly moderate and not that bad of a guy, and he didn't do that bad of a job. However, in doing so, Clinton helped perpetuate the stereotype that Democrats are weak on defense. So while it's not uncommon to have members of the other party in some cabinet position and I wouldn't mind Kerry having a non-wingnut Republican in a lower position, he MUST pick a Democrat for Sec of Defense.

So who'd be a good one?

[DaveinMD]

1. I disagree

McCain would make an excellent choice for defense. Of Democratic Senators, Biden would be a great choice. However, I wouldn't do that because I don't want to lose that seat. Gary Hart wouldn't be a bad choice. He has been all over the place with the Hart-Rudman commission.

[ButterflyBlood]

6. actually, we'd keep it with Biden

since DE has a Democratic governor. But McCain would be a bad pick since it would just continue to perpetuate the stereotype Democrats are weak on defense. We have to break that.

[farmbo]

59. These threads are Bad Juju...until November 3rd

Sorry to be a spoil sport but we are being somewhat overconfident, aren't we?


You may only post on these type of threads if you've just come back from four hours of successful canvassing for Kerry.

[IdaBriggs]

2. My Fantasy = McCain.

I know he's a Republican. I'm an Independent, and I love the guy. I know that makes me bad right now, but I still do anyway. :(

[wtmusic]

5. no bad

McCain would pull the country together. He knows war, not just hyperbole.

[Spiffarino]

14. I gave money to McCain when he was running in 2000

I really wanted him to beat the Texas Souffle, so I cut him a check. I do like the guy (he's OK for 'pub), but I wouldn't for a minute want him at Defense. The other posters are correct that it perpetuates the myth that Dems are weak on defense. The notion is utter bullshit (FDR, anyone?) and there's no reason to keep it going. McCain at Defense would do just that.

[wtmusic]

17. McCain has the experience

and because he has an (R) next to his name we have a chance of getting some bipartisan work done in the foreign policy arena.

I wouldn't want him anywhere BUT defense.

[Bluebear]

19. "Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?"

"Because Janet Reno is her real father." - John McCain yucking it up at a Republican fund raiser.

No offense, but I am no fan of his.

[IdaBriggs]

32. It was a tacky comment...but

...nasty humor at a fundraiser isn't my number one priority when it comes to choosing competent people in important positions. (But I also love Chelsea, so I hope he apologized for it later.)

[Bluebear]

50. I can find no evidence that he apologized

Nasty humor at a fundraiser isn't my number one priority, but it would enter into his being my number one selection for Cabinet.

[Spiffarino]

33. You're kidding!? Did he really say that??

That's it! I'm telling Straight Talk America that I want my damned money back!

What an asshole!

[Bluebear]

49. Yeah, here's a link

http://www.salon.com/news/1998/06/25newsb.html

[Spiffarino]

57. Thanks. Jeez, what a bastard.

I read the whole article. I think the press may get a pass here...I would have backed off on it, too. There is no reason to hold the poor girl up to that kind of ridicule and if it had been printed or put on TV, it would have gotten a lot of traction. I would rather they err on the side of sparing (the now very beautiful) Chelsea Clinton's feelings.

I'm glad McCain had the decency to apologize, but he's still a prick for having said it. How would he like it if somebody said vicious things about his daughter?

Oh wait, somebody did...and now he's campaigning for the sonofabitch!

Loser.

[Catch22Dem]

3. Cleland

I think Max would be a good choice. Perhaps someone I've never heard of would be a good choice too.

[medeak]

4. I like the way you think

Max would be great.

[billybob537]

9. Max would be great

[Mel]

56. I'm in for Max

I love that guy! BTW that photo is sweet where did it come from is it your personal photo?

[ButterflyBlood]

7. now THAT'S a good one!

n/t

[JohnKleeb]

8. now thats a fine idea

He has experience with cabinet before, however I doubt Kerry would make Max now 27 years older and more experienced to the position he got when he was younger, Max was head of the VA in Carter's admin.

[Spiffarino]

10. I like Max at Veterans Affairs

Gary Hart's a better choice for Defense. He has worlds of experience, and just the right demeanor for a SecDef. Max's bona fides are with veterans, not warmakers. He's such a great guy, I can't imagine him dropping a bomb on anyone.

[JohnKleeb]

11. Max has done that before

I think he should have a higher role but I see your point.

[Spiffarino]

12. OK, how about HHS?

HHS is a very big deal.

[JohnKleeb]

13. I like it

but I dont know his health care views. Max in the admin though, I give it two thumbs up and he will be, he and Kerry are friends and Max came out early for Kerry, I love Cleland one of the best guys in the senate we had in a while. I say Gephardt will be sec of labor but thats another thread

[Spiffarino]

16. Agreed. Max has to be there.

Max is outstanding. He can do anything as far as I'm concerned. Just so he's at the top of the list.

I still like Hart for Defense but believe that Max would do a great job there, too.

[IdaBriggs]

37. No Hart at Defense

Sorry, he may have learned in the intervening years, but I'm still stuck on the "try to find me cheating" thing followed by the "let me make it as easy as possible for you to do so" thing, which implies not much credibility in the "smarts" department for me. No Hart. Ick.

[DaveinMD]

40. Hart

made a mistake no doubt. He's still a very intelligent man whose thought about the terror threat for a very long time. He's an excellent choice.

[Spiffarino]

46. Agreed.

I don't care what he does with his jimmy, as long as he's not screwing all of us.

[IdaBriggs]

47. Maybe so, but...

...I'm an uneducated Independent, and the first thing I think about with him is "idiot" because of the challenge-the-press thing. Not a game I want my Sec of Defense to be playing. Doesn't mean he can't go somewhere else, just not there.

[Padraig18]

18. Dean needs to be at HHS.

If Kerry is serious about delivering health care, he needs Dean to make it happen.

[JohnKleeb]

27. hadnt thought about it, its a possiblity

but as of now I think only one past contender will be receiving a cabinet role, Dick Gephardt, really hes retiring and labor is what he loves best, Dick G for Labor Sec I say.

[Spiffarino]

38. Gephardt's a no-brainer for Labor; how about Hart for Interior?

He has a pretty good track record on the environment as a Senator from CO. When I was supporting him for President in '84, that was one of the big reasons.

[JohnKleeb]

48. hmm maybe

[Spiffarino]

34. Ooh, that's right.

M.D. and all that. Sheesh. How could I forget?

[DaveinMD]

36. Dean

should be head of the DNC.

Rep. John Lewis should get some type of cabinet position. HHS could be it for him.

[Spiffarino]

41. What? Someone with brass 'nads at the DNC?

Are you mad? Yeaaaarrrgghh!!

Oops. Sorry. Had my DLC hat on just then. That'll never happen again, I promise. Sorry.

[Dookus]

39. the big obstacle to delivering healthcare

is not, HHS, but the Congress.

I think Dean would be fine at HHS, but he won't be able to implement diddly without a cooperative congress.

[IdaBriggs]

43. Love That!

I adore Dean -- and I especially love his totally tell the truth attitude. I wouldn't put him anywhere where diplomacy is required because I don't think that would play to his greatest strength -- his BRUTAL honesty. Let's have him FIX PROBLEMS which we can only do if someone doesn't play politics with them....Go Dean!

[RichV]

15. McCain *and* Cleland?

Maybe McCain could take over for Rummy, and Cleland could take over for Wolfie. #1 and #2 in the Dept. of Defense.

Max did the VA thing for Carter.

[DaveinMD]

20. I like

the Cleland suggestion. He's done Veterans Affairs already. I do like the idea of Gary Hart, as I've said.

As far as Biden, even though the Governor is Democrat there would still have to be a special election. Michael Castle, the Republican Rep. would likely run and would be very hard to beat. I don't want to risk that.

[FightinNewDem]

51. Sen. Markell?

State Treasurer Jack Markell would probably run for Biden's seat on the Dem side, and he'd be a damn good candidate. He's a smart, pragmatic sort, with experience in both business and government.

[mark414]

21. how about

some non-white people?

[RichV]

25. Who ya got in mind?

Can't think of any particular minorities off the top of my head to fill the post. Really can only think of a handful of people total. Just the obvious ones. I've seen Sen. Levin from MI mentioned often.

[phiddle]

22. Sam Nunn

Ex- Georgia Senator, head of Senate armed Services Committee, very credible on defense issues and managed to work well with Republican senators.

[DaveinMD]

23. Nunn

is really enjoying his retirement. I worked with his former personal assistant. Nunn is not coming back.

[Bluebear]

24. Sam "no gays in the military" Nunn?

'Mr. President, I believe it is essential that the Congress codify the policies regarding homosexuality in the Armed Forces by adopting legislative findings and by providing clear legislative direction to the executive branch and to the leadership and the men and women in the Armed Forces.

Based upon the hearings held in our committee, it is my view that any policy issued by the executive branch as well as any legislation enacted by the Congress must at a minimum be consistent with the following principles. These are broad principles, and they are not meant to be exclusive because the issue is much too complex to be summarized.

But I do think these principles have clearly emerged in our hearings as supportable by the overwhelming evidence we have received.

The first principle I would articulate today is that military service is a unique calling which has no counterpart in civilian society. The primary purpose of our Armed Forces is to prepare for and to prevail in combat should the need arise. The conduct of military operations requires members of the Armed Forces to make extraordinary sacrifices including, if need be, the ultimate sacrifice to provide for the defense of our Nation.

No. 2, the foundation of combat capability is unit cohesion. Unlike our civilian society, in the military the mission is the No. 1 priority. The unit is the second priority, and the individual is the third priority.

Mr. President, in society the individual comes first. In the military, the mission comes first. If in a quest for full societal constitutional rights in the military, which have never existed in the military, if in that quest we end up placing consideration of the individual before consideration of the mission, we are going to have an awful lot of people killed in combat, and we are going to have an awful lot of people wounded in combat. And we are going to have questionable military performance by many of our units if we replace the standing principles for years and years that have been part of our military history -- that the mission comes first, not the individual.

http://www.stark.kent.edu/library/reserves/speeches/nunn.htm

[DaveinMD]

26. don't worry

its not happening. I think Gary Hart or Cleland are the likely the choices, with McCain a possibility.

[JohnKleeb]

28. Ive heard John Warner too

[DaveinMD]

30. I don't think

so. I think Kerry can sell McCain to dems, but not Warner.

[Spiffarino]

31. To paraphrase Poppy Bush,

"Read my lips:
No. New. Republicans."

[JohnKleeb]

45. I agree but I want a Virginia Democratic senator

[Spiffarino]

29. What about Lee Hamilton?

He's kind of a hawk. He's a Democrat of the conservative variety. He would probably suck at any other cabinet position, but Defense would probably fit him to a tee.

[RichV]

35. Bob Kerrey? Maybe?

Although he probably is quite comfortable in his new life as a university president in NYC.

[Spiffarino]

44. Or at VA.

Either one. I like the idea of a DAV running the show at VA. It needs somebody who can be a champion for disabled vets. Kerrey would be empathetic.

Now if you absolutely have to have a Republican (ugh!) for any cabinet position, what about asking Bob Dole to take over at VA? I know he's old and all that, but he's still really sharp, witty, a great American and a heartless bastard, but I digress...

[DaveinMD]

52. Bob Dole

is not a great American. He's a despicable politician. Read Senator for Sale at some point.

[Spiffarino]

61. Did you read the last line?

;)

[riverwalker]

42. Max Cleland

would be awesome.
No to McCain. No. No. No.
Why, oh why,
do people obsess and fawn so much over him? He is a REPUBLICAN, what don't they get?

[IdaBriggs]

53. McCain has CLASS.

He is an American first, and a Republican second. He went through absolute horror in Vietnam, and came out stronger for it. I trust him, and although he is campaigning for "the other team" he is still a good man. (How many other high profile Republicans came out defending Kerry with the Swift Boat ads?) I believe Kerry also has a strong level of respect for him, too. Now Bush I * HATE *.

[redstateblues]

65. A McCain Pick Would Be A Good Unifying Choice

[salin]

54. Senator Bob Graham.

[Sparkly]

55. An exception can be made for Clark, it's happened before

Requires Congressional approval, but Clark could be SoD.

[gulliver]

66. Clark

He is a great man. When I tell my son who to try to be like, I don't tell him myself. I tell him to be like Wes Clark.

[Radical Activist]

58. Howard Zinn

Why not? He served in the military!

Ok, I know that's not reasonable but I like the idea in a devious way.

[JI7]

60. Senator Carl Levin

that's my choice for the job.

[DaveinMD]

62. we cannot

take Senators for the cabinet. Especially with how close the balance will be after the election.

[ButterflyBlood]

64. We can in Levin's case

since Michigan has a Democratic governor, Granholm, who'd get to pick his replacement.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

63. Cleland or Graham nt

[janx]

67. The "10-year-rule" was repeated often at DU for many months,

but in fact, with a vote from Congress, the rule could be waived. ( I tried to point this out at the time.) So this would depend on how Congress shakes out after the election. I'd love to see Clark in that position.

There are others, too, like Zinni.

This is going to be a very important position in the Kerry administration. So much depends upon it.

[Bush was AWOL]

68. Biden or McCain

[janx]

70. Please, not Biden.

He is a skilled politician, but we don't need that in this position right now.

[quaoar]

69. OK, I'll be the first to suggest it

Joe Lieberman

[liberalpragmatist]

71. Eric Shinseki

Former Army Chief of Staff, Democrat, Japanese-American from Hawaii.



Vietnam vet, HARSH critic of Rummy and Bushco.

Good choice. Would probably need the exception rule to be in effect - Congress would have to okay him serving.

[liberalpragmatist]

72. Maybe we need CIVILIAN leadership (?)

I don't know. I'm having some second thoughts. I like Shinseki and Clark, but both are MILITARY leaders. Though the 10-year rule isn't insurmountable, it's there for a reason. I like both the two I named a LOT and I'd be happy with them as Def sec. Still, I worry about the creaping militarization of the Pentagon. Isn't the idea that the Pentagon be run by civilian leadership?

So I'm undecided. Would a Clark nod be a good thing?