# Obama's Cabinet (not the kind that's made of wood) **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 5, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282 "2008-11-05T16:11:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/61 "2008-11-07T17:07:04Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > I’m not advocating for him to get the job – I’m sure there are as good or better candidates out there, but he does have a reputation within the Senate as having excellent diplomatic skills. See [this post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5231361&postcount=36) from back when he was running for president for support for that contention. Most of those are anecdotal, but the Vietnam commission is a good point on his resume. With Biden’s promotion, Kerry is in line for chairmanship of the foreign affairs committee. That’s a more appropriate role for him as far as I’m concerned. Biden was the chairman and if he hadn’t wanted to be VP, Obama said he would have considered him for Secretary of State. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/62 "2008-11-07T18:29:59Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Biden was the chairman and if he hadn’t wanted to be VP, Obama said he would have considered him for Secretary of State. I think Biden is far too prone to popping off with a weird or inflammatory remark to be Secretary of State. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/63 "2008-11-07T19:00:02Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > I think Biden is far too prone to popping off with a weird or inflammatory remark to be Secretary of State. Be that as it may, Obama apparently did want to make use of his foreign affairs experience even after his goofy “clean” remark. I’ve said this a couple of times in various thread in recent weeks and I don’t know if I’ve shown my cite, [so here it is:](http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/10/20/081020fa_fact_lizza) > [@](#): > > “The only question I have is not whether I want you in this Administration,” Obama told Biden. “It’s which job you’d like best.” > > During the primaries, which continued until June, Obama and Biden spoke about twice a week. “He’d call not so much to ask for advice as to bounce things off me,” Biden said as we sat in the tent. “And then when he asked me if I would consider being vetted”—possible Vice-Presidential candidates must submit to a personal and financial investigation by the campaign—“I said I’d have to think about it.” > […] > Obama also asked Biden whether he thought that he was more suited to a different position. “He said, ‘You have a great interest in national-security policy, foreign policy,’ ” Biden told me. “He wasn’t offering me this, but he said, ‘Would you rather be Secretary of State instead of Vice-President?’ And I thought a lot about that.” ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/64 "2008-11-07T19:08:41Z")
> [@Gadarene](#): > > …On a different note, a friend of mine speculated that if Gates stays at Defense, Chuck Hagel might be a very good fit as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. A step down from being a senator, of course, but it’s right in his wheelhouse – Not to hijack, but is “right in his wheelhouse” the latest piece of corporate/political jargon that is making the rounds right now? That’s the third time I’ve heard it this week. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/65 "2008-11-07T19:12:54Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > Given that he wouldn’t run for Senator in a race he’d be likely to win, I doubt it. He’s said he likes being Governor. > Interesting thought. It would certainly make it easier for her to defeat McCain in 2010. I do think Napolitano is setting up to try to knock McCain off in 2010 so I doubt she’d leave the state as she’s trying to lock up her support for that. I’ve also thought that Patrick Fitzgerald would be a good choice for AG. You won’t find many high-profile lawyers with his positives these days. And he’d be a good choice for the ‘cleaning up’ of the DoJ after the recent scandals. I also think that both Clarke and Richardson are due for some sort of payback after their early endorsements of Obama, certainly because they’d always been seen as Clintonites and they burned some serious bridges. Richardson is a natural for SecState and Clarke as SecDef. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/66 "2008-11-07T19:36:22Z")
i always thought it would be fun to throw ralph nader at the epa. see how he likes working inside the government instead of outside. i know there is talk about caroline kennedy at the un. i’m thinking she might be a supreme court pic. sen. obama not only learns from his own experiences but that of others. pres. clinton’s admin. had a tough time getting things through at first because he picked many people who were outside of dc and didn’t know the ins and outs. by having some old hands in the admin. you have people who can get things through the channels quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/67 "2008-11-07T19:52:58Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > Not to hijack, but is “right in his wheelhouse” the latest piece of corporate/political jargon that is making the rounds right now? That’s the third time I’ve heard it this week. It’s from baseball, as far as I know - I have no idea what the expression means exactly, but in baseball terms it refers to a pitch that has been thrown right to the place where the batter’s best swing will most naturally connect. (Usually resulting in a home run or other solid hit). ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/68 "2008-11-08T00:41:02Z")
Just saw this long list of potentials for various Cabinet positions. > [@](#): > > **DEFENSE SECRETARY** > Defense Secretary Robert Gates. > Former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig. > Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., critic of Iraq war, retiring from Senate. > Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., member of Senate Armed Services Committee. > > **TREASURY SECRETARY** > Timothy Geithner, president of Federal Reserve Bank of New York. > Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker. > Lawrence Summers, former treasury secretary and one-time Harvard University president. > > **SECRETARY OF STATE** > Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., former U.N. ambassador and energy secretary. > Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., 2004 presidential nominee. > Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., former chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee. > Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., critic of Iraq war, retiring from Senate. > Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. > > **ATTORNEY GENERAL** > Eric Holder, former deputy attorney general. > Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. > Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala., member of House Judiciary Committee. > Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, former assistant U.S. attorney for civil rights. > > **ENERGY SECRETARY** > Former Rep. Philip Sharp, D-Ind., president of Resources for the Future think tank. > Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. > \*\* > EPA ADMINISTRATOR\*\* > Lisa P. Jackson, commissioner of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. > Mary Nichols, head of California Air Resources Board. > Kathleeen McGinty, former secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. > > **HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY** > Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D. > Howard Dean, chairman of Democratic National Committee, physician, former Vermont governor. > Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. > > **TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY** > Jane Garvey, former head of Federal Aviation Administration. > Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of House transportation committee. > Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore. > Mortimer Downey, former deputy transportation secretary. > > **INTERIOR SECRETARY** > Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber. > Former Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles. > Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., former executive director of Colorado Natural Resources Department. > > **HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY** > James Lee Witt, former FEMA director. > Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton. > Former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, chairman of 9/11 commission. > Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., chairwoman of Homeland Security intelligence subcommittee. > > **NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER** > James B. Steinberg, former deputy national security adviser. > Susan Rice, former assistant secretary of state for African affairs. > \*\* > EDUCATION SECRETARY\*\* > Colin Powell, former secretary of state, former chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff. > Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt. > Arne Duncan, chief executive officer of Chicago public schools. > Inez Tenenbaum, former South Carolina schools superintendent. > > **AGRICULTURE SECRETARY** > Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack. > Tom Buis, president of National Farmers Union. > Former Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Texas. > > **OFFICE OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR** > Rep. John Spratt Jr., D-S.C., chairman of House Budget Committee. > Gene Sperling, economic aide to President Clinton. > Jason Furman, Obama’s campaign economic policy director. > Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn. > > **HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY** > Valerie Jarrett, Obama friend, chairman and CEO of Habitat Co. > Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C. > > **LABOR SECRETARY** > Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of House Education and Labor Committee. > Former Rep. David Bonior, member of Obama’s Transition Economic Advisory Board. > Andy Stern, president of Service Employees International Union. F[ull article here](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081107/ap_on_el_pr/obama_potential_appointees) from Yahoo News. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/69 "2008-11-08T10:45:10Z")
Joe Wilson as Secretary of State, or Ambassador to the UN. It would be nice to have a career diplomat in either position, rather than politicians. And would be a nice repudiation of the Bush administration’s scorched earth policy against him. Please don’t throw things, but Hillary Clinton could make a perfectly fine Secretary of State. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/70 "2008-11-08T15:23:40Z")
What are the odds Obama will have a Republican in his Cabinet? Good? Fair? Bad? I’d like Specter, he seems reasonable. And I don’t think Dean would be a good choice, too “entrenched insider”. He needs fresh faces with good resumes. ---
**Author:** ![tds1273](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/71 "2008-11-10T19:32:41Z")
I am kind of disheartened at the Emmanuel pick. Way too Clinton/DLC/AIPAC-y for what I would consider real change. I’d like to think the pick was for the Illinois strong arming, and not his policy positions; I \*really \*hope it was not for the policy positions. I would have maybe picked Howard Dean. We’ll see… **Press Sec:** I think it’s already filled, but I would have put \*\*Rachel Maddow \*\*(or selfishly) \*\*Elizabeth Kucinich \*\*here. **AG:** [\*\*Vincent Bugliosi \*\*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prosecution_of_George_W._Bush_for_Murder)- Unlikely but hey, this is my list. [\*\*Sheldon Whitehouse \*\*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheldon_Whitehouse) or **Janet Napolitano** have the experience and would be good picks. I’m hoping Napolitano will take McCain’s Senate seat. But man, do I wish we could have seen a AG Obama sometime along the way, he would have been the perfect pick in a Clinton admin. \*\*Chief Foreign Policy Adviser: \*\ ***Colin Powell** - He’ll be in the Whitehouse, but not as a Secretary. \*\*Sec.State: \*\ ***Bill Richardson** - To me, the most obvious of all appointments. **Sec.Peace:** **Dennis Kucinich** - Just let me dream of this one. **Sec.Defense:** **Chuck Hagel** - The premier bipartisan pick of this cabinet. **Sec.Homeland Security:** [**Thad Allen**](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thad_Allen)- One of the few officials that really rose to the challenges of Katrina. **Sec.Veterans Affairs:** [\*\*Tammy Duckworth \*\*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Duckworth)- IL’s Sec VA, Iraq vet, perfect for the job; or **Max Cleeland** , **Paul Rieckhoff** **Sec.Treasury:** [**Muhammad Yunus**](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Yunus)- I can only imagine how the “news” channels would report this pick, but as to Obama’s “change from the ground up”- this is the perfect pick. **Sec.H&HS:** **Elizabeth Edwards** - She seems to be the premier go to person for Healthcare policy right now. I like the \*\*Kathleen Sebelius \*\*idea, but since she is not VP I am banking on her taking Brownback’s Senate seat. **Sec.Labor:** **Dennis Kucinich** - Assuming no Peace Cabinet, his interest for American workers is unmatched. **Sec.Commerce:** **Olympia Snowe** - A moderate Republican who is more on the Dem side with economic/social issues. It would clear the seat for a likely Dem pick up. No doubt, slighted by the Palin pick; she would be a great person to bring into the fold. **Sec.Transportation:** [**John Hickenlooper**](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hickenlooper)- Mayor of Denver, has done an outstanding work with the lightrail system. No longer in Denver myself, but everything I’ve read/heard about him, I like this guy. **Sec.Energy:** **Al Gore** - Doubt he’d take it, but worth a shot. Just \*please \*keep T.Boone Pickens far away; I simply don’t trust him in any official role., or at all to be honest. **Sec.Interior:** **Lincoln Chafee** - Former Republican, good guy with a great environmental record. Though if Sen. Whitehouse, were to be AG, I’d expect Chafee to take his seat back. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/72 "2008-11-10T19:39:14Z")
Word today is that no cabinet members will be named this week. I’m guessing they still want to get some significant names out there by Thanksgiving, though. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/73 "2008-11-10T19:56:20Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > I think Biden is far too prone to popping off with a weird or inflammatory remark to be Secretary of State. Am I the only person who thinks Rahm Emanuel makes Biden’s foibles look tame? Stabbing a table at a restaraunt yelling “dead” after each name on a list of political enemies seems more like an FBI file in the making and not a resume builder for the job for Chief of staff. Is telling the Republican party they can go fuck themselves the words of a stable politician and is this Obama’s idea of reaching across the aisle? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/74 "2008-11-10T20:01:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Sec.Peace: Dennis Kucinich- Just let me dream of this one. I’m a fan of Kucinich, and it looks like this is his idea, but frankly, I’d be frightened of any branch called “Department of Peace”. Any legitimate function it would have is already covered by the State Department or the Department of Education, and there’s just too many Orwellian overtones there. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/75 "2008-11-10T20:05:44Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Am I the only person who thinks Rahm Emanuel makes Biden’s foibles look tame? Stabbing a table at a restaraunt yelling “dead” after each name on a list of political enemies seems more like an FBI file in the making and not a resume builder for the job for Chief of staff. A Chief of Staff isn’t in front of the cameras as much as a Senator/VP, so that probably accounts for the difference. > [@](#): > > is this Obama’s idea of reaching across the aisle? I don’t know a lot about the guy, but he seems like the type who is focused on getting things done. I don’t like some of the names being floated out there but I think it’d be better to wait for him to name even one person in his cabinet (much less the whole cabinet) before we determine Obama’s intent. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/76 "2008-11-10T20:18:26Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > A Chief of Staff isn’t in front of the cameras as much as a Senator/VP, so that probably accounts for the difference. While that may be true in the literal sense it isn’t in the world of the internet. Any foot-in-mouth moments are going to make the rounds at the speed of light. If Obama has to spend time talking about Rahm’S gaffs then he losses focus and looks bad. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/77 "2008-11-10T20:44:06Z")
Rahm Emanuel is Obama’s pitbull, sans lipstick. His job will be to make sure that the tough shit gets done. He let’s Obama remain focused and keep his hands clean. What I’ve read about Emanuel makes him out to be brash but conciliatory. Interesting that a fictional character based on his brother is credited with bringing the phrase “[Let’s hug it out, bitch](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZvarRe-XVQ)” into the modern lexicon. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/78 "2008-11-10T21:03:39Z")
I did not initially see Rahmbo’s appeal but now understand how smart of a pick he is. Obama needs a team to delegate to get things done. Biden will work the Senate for him. Collegiality works there. The House is a tougher beast filled with Representatives who have to report back to narrow interest constituencies in short order, and Rahmbo, brashness and vulgarity and all, knows how to work the place and get things done there too. The right tool for each job. ---
**Author:** ![tds1273](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/79 "2008-11-10T21:31:16Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m a fan of Kucinich, and it looks like this is his idea, but frankly, I’d be frightened of any branch called “Department of Peace”. Any legitimate function it would have is already covered by the State Department or the Department of Education, and there’s just too many Orwellian overtones there. This is true. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282/80 "2008-11-11T03:07:16Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I do not want one of the thieves who made a fortune to touch Treasury. Paulson should be on Survivor Palau or some other place far away. I believe Paulson has already said he will not stay on if asked…as if that would happen. That Paulson, what a card. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282.md?page=5)