Would Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins accept Cabinet positions?

[stahbrett]

SO... CNN.com shows the Democrats with 57 votes in the Senate (counting Lieberman). If Franken wins the recount, and Ted Stevens loses in Alaska (both of which I think are likely to happen), then that puts the Democrats at 59. If Chambliss holds on in Georgia, that leaves the Democrats oh so close to 60. So why not convince Senators Snowe and Collins to join the Obama cabinet, which would let the Democratic governor appoint the replacements?

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Snowe, Collins, Hagel, Spector, and perhaps even McCain might do for us

what Lieberman could do...

[stahbrett]

3. Good point (Hagel is retiring though, so there wouldn't be an open seat to fill)

Specter and McCain both hail from states with Democrats in the governorship, so they would indeed fill the same role that Snowe and Collins would fill if my secret plan was carried out. :-D

[walldude]

2. I've been saying this about these two since Palin was the VP choice

No one got screwed over more than Collins and Snowe on the Palin pick. I mean they wanted a woman VP and chose Palin over Snowe or Collins? If I were Obama I'd be courting them hard.

[onenote]

4. What does Maine law provide in terms of filling vacancies?

In a number of states, the governor is required to fill a vacancy in the Senate with someone from the same party as the previous office-holder. DOn't know if that's the case for Maine or not.

Also, as a practical matter, I think that there is no chance that both Senators from Maine would resign to take a cabinet post. Maybe one, but not both. (ANd there is little chance both would be offered posts).

[LisaM]

5. Geesh, why not just have an all-Republican Cabinet?

I, for one, do not understand the rush to fill the Cabinet with Republicans. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins could both become Independents if they wished, like Jim Jeffords did. I don't think their constituents would object. They've chosen to be, and to remain, Republicans. At this point, I wash my hands of that party. I'm tired of these suggestions (particularly Powell and Hagel).

[stahbrett]

6. Did you read the entirety of my original post?

I'll expound on it - The thought is that, assuming the Democratic governor of Maine can indeed appoint replacements in the case of a vacancy, if Snowe and/or Collins can be put into Cabinet positions (specifically, positions where they mostly/totally agree with Obama's agenda), then it could very well give the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, which could be crucial in enacting parts of the Obama administration/Congressional Democrats' agendas.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

10. The Democratic Governor here, however, is increasingly unpopular.

As is the Democratic-held Congress in Augusta. Dems have been in power here throughout the Boosh years, so they're getting much of the blame that Republicans in other states are getting at about this juncture. Throwing Dems in Republican seats (assuming it could even be done; I don't know the laws on that very clearly) would piss off a sizeable minority of the population and perhaps sour the Democratic party here.

[northernlights]

7. the possibility came up on the news last week

and they both said they're happy staying in the senate. I'd love to lose Collins, although I wouldn't want to inflict her on Obama.

[stahbrett]

9. And Biden was happy in the Senate too. :-D (nt)

[WritingIsMyReligion]

8. I'd like to lose Collins in particular from the Senate, but that doesn't mean I want to make Obama

deal with her. :D :D

[onenote]

11. BTW, getting to 60 doesn't ensure a "filibuster proof" majority

On most cloture votes, the Democratic caucus has not voted in lockstep along party lines. Several Democrats, including Landrieu, the two Nelsons, Tim Johnson, etc. have frequently bolted and voted against the party's position on cloture motions. And on occasion Snow and COllins have bucked their party line on such votes as well. Obviously, the more Democrats you get, the greater the chances of fending off a filibuster. But there is no guarantee that by getting 60 votes the Democrats will be able to stave off any and all filibusters that the repubs might start.

[hvn_nbr_2]

12. That's what I've thought thru all the "Dems could get 60" hoopla

It's more likely that Snowe, Collins, and one or two others would break a filibuster than that all the Dems would do so. That gang of 14 supporting Alito and Roberts included 7 Dems.

[SoCalDem]

13. Nope.. they like being the "swing voter" in their group of 100..

and a cabinet post would not be a guarantee of tenure.. Having been just re-elected, and having been elected many times, is a more secure position ..

[SoCalDem]

14. Nope.. they like being the "swing voter" in their group of 100..

and a cabinet post would not be a guarantee of tenure.. Having been just re-elected, and having been elected many times, is a more secure position ..