Who will Obama choose in his cabinet?
The streets buzz, the pundits pontificate, bookies count the spread and Obama staff members leak information to the media. Sound familiar? This is how all political news is spread; methodically and for darn good reason. There's no such thing as accident. That's not cologne you're smelling, somethings cooking on the grill people.
Obama and Clinton got together in Chicago today to discuss her possible role in an Obama Administration. The word is they're considering Hillary for Secretary of State. One thing I've learned from Obama's campaign is the man doesn't make big time decisions by the seat of his pants, so what might've been swirling around the President Elect's cranium while he met with Senator Clinton?
There's a couple of sticking points to this political porcupine and I'm sure Obama will tread carefully. If I were an Obama adviser, here's a few of things I'd be mentioning to the Barack-Meister right about now:
1) Can Obama trust Hillary?
Senator Clinton went to bat for Obama late in the campaign, but in the beginning there was definite tension. Is there still resentment? Could Hillary every really be a sincere Obama advocate? No, I'm serious. Would you trust the Clinton's? Are those poison darts in your blouse Mrs. Clinton or are you just happy to see me?
It's possible moving Hill off the Hill might stave off problems down the road and tossing her supporters a bone probably isn't such a bad idea, after-all, 2012 is going to come around quickly and without Clinton's coalition coalescing around Obama we might be looking at a McCain Administration instead of an Obama one. I know. Bad visual, I'm just saying, it could've happened.
2) Does Obama owe Kerry a pound of flesh?
John Kerry is making it known he's also interested in the Secretary position. Kerry partied hard for Obama, not that he needed him in Massachusetts after a rousing Kennedy endorsement, but politicians rarely if ever do something for nothing.
Kerry also launched Obama onto the national stage when he gave Barack the mic at the Democratic Convention. Obama went on to give that rousing speech we've all heard a thousand times, "We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America." If it weren't for Kerry that speech would've never been given and Barack Obama might not be the president elect.
The Case for Hillary
In my view, Hillary is the more risky choice, but also the choice with the most reward. The reward would be the notoriety and clout she would automatically carry with her as she deals with foreign governments and leaders. The bad news, and I mean this with all due respect, Hillary just doesn't seem to be the type of person who can passionately argue their position, not get her way and still maintain a level of civility, with no prima-dona-esque infighting, respecting the decision that was made and continuing on in a supportive, helpful role. If that sounds like too much, perhaps Hill should stick to the Senate.
The Case for Kerry
Let's look at Kerry. Aside from being as interesting as beige apartment home carpeting, Kerry on the other hand is a safer bet, but with a smaller potential return on investment. The good is Kerry is a very intelligent, informed politician who can speak like 20 languages, he's been vetted and his loyalties are behind Obama. Let's not forget, Kerry threw Edwards under the bus and handed his support to Obama way-back in the primaries when nothing was certain. The downside of a Kerry pick is simple: Kerry is most known for being a loser. John Kerry isn't the most popular guy and if Obama is looking for an eye-popping, charismatic addition to the powerful position as Secretary of State, he couldn't make a more boring selection.
The Real Deal
Anyway you slice it this isn't an easy call to make. If I had to go out on a limb, I'd at least offer Hillary the position. In my opinion, Obama owes Hillary much more than he owes Kerry. Hillary Clinton still carries a truckload of political capitol and there's nothing wrong with making a pretty hefty portion of the Democratic Coalition smile because you gave Hillary her due.
It's true, without Kerry giving you the limelight at the 04' Convention you might still be an Illinois Senator, but it's also plausible to imagine without the scrapping nail-biter tussle with Senator Clinton you might not be the next President right now. I've never brought into the excremental assertion that Obama's whole career is based on a speech he gave in 04, but rather, on taking the best punches both Hillary and Bill had to offer and still somehow courageously, masterfully even, knocking the Clinton machine on it's metal arse and taking the nomination all the way to the house. Touch Down Baby!
Choose Clinton.
Update: There are rumors rollicking thru news outlets that state on good authority, Hillary Clinton was offered the Secretary of State position. The word is she hasn't decided if she wants it and she has a "grocery list" of pre-conditions which must be met if she is to accept. I still think offering her the gig was the way to go. We'll see. Lord help us all. Here we go again.
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