The race for Cabinet

While voters throughout the next year will be electing the Democratic nominee, who they elect will correlate to who is in the cabinet. The behind-the-scenes race for such hot-bed positions as Secretary of State is on. While there are no polls for this sort of thing, who is winning?

According to the whispering class if the election were held today the high-level cabinet would look like such: President Hillary Clinton, Vice-President Bill Richardson and Secretary of State Joe Biden.

Bill Richardson has not laid a hand on any of the other presidential candidates and it has been suggested that the nominee will be more forgiving of the squeaky-clean Richardson, so forgiving so as to appoint him Vice-President. Even in the AFL-CIO debate from this week where it seemed like everyone was taking hits, Richardson's name did not appear in coverage of the event because he avoided all attacks. He merely defines himself by his record as governor of New Mexico, a strong record at that. He is strong pick of VP. The Mountain-west is the linchpin of the Dems' '08 strategy and the governor of NM would have a lot of appeal. He is Hispanic, a large voting bloc that will help shape the race in many swing states (CO, FL, AR, NM). He has a record of experience if that is called in to question for the nominee (Obama, Edwards, even Clinton).

Joe Biden's chief campaign message is that "He is the only one with a plan for Iraq." The debates have been Biden's strongest suit because his blunt, in-your-face style has appealed to voters tired of pontificating and posturing. And at the debates if a question is asked about Iraq, I'm just kidding, when a question is asked about Iraq Biden stands in the face of public opinion and says that we need a plan to stabilize Iraq not just withdrawal. Visit his website www.planforiraq.com for more information about his intended policy. He has been on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for three decades and his relationship with Richard Lugar (R-IN) defines the moderate internationalism opinion of the Senate. He is a perfect fit for Secretary of State; however, he said in a recent Newsweek article, "I promise you, I don’t want to be secretary of State. I’m going to be taking sharper and sharper exceptions with my colleagues. And it won’t be easy to then turn around and ask to be secretary of State." However, that does not answer the question of: If you were offered Secretary of State, would you accept? Plus, it's simply impolite for presidential candidates to discuss desires for cabinet positions.

It should be noted that Bill Richardson is probably in second place for Secretary of State. However, this post is relatively inane, because the cabinet depends solely on the president-elect and cannot be gaged on the campaigns presently being waged. However, this is the opinion of those currently making noise.

VICE-PRESIDENT

In the past week both former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Rudy Guiliani were quoted saying that the Democratic ticket will likely be Clinton- Obama. I am quite sure that this will not happen. I don't take exception with Clinton winning the Democratic nomination, but I disagree that she would ever, in a million years, select Obama as her running mate. There are a few reasons why.

Sheer Bitterness - Clintons are a grudge-holding people and as time goes on Obama will take more specific shots at Clinton. She will certainly not want to reward this behavior by making Obama the presumptuous 2016 Democratic nominee.

Took much voltage at the bottom of the ticket - Clinton's negative persona is perceived as cold, calculating and political. Obama is perceived as young, fresh, electrifying and inspiring. It could be said that they're the perfect foil for the presidential ticket, but that is why Clinton won't take the deal. Obama will be holding a rally for Clinton, yet a crowd of 20,000 could leave being inspired and wondering why the names weren't flipped. Just like her husband, Hillary would be cautious to hold a joint-rally with Obama because his introduction might outshine her speech. Don't let the coin outshine you.

No geographical significance - Obama is the Senator from Illinois. Clinton is going to carry Illinois without a shadow of a doubt. However, Vice Presidents are rarely ever seen to actual sway their own state. Yet geographical disparity is a quality sought after in VP candidates (notably, the 1960 Boston-Austin ticket).

Those are just three reasons why Clinton will not ask Obama to be her Vice-President. So, who should Clinton ask to be her Vice-President, if nominated? In my opinion she should ask Senator Evan Bayh.

Evan Bayh is a first-rate centrist with a long history of public service. He is a member of the Democratic Leadership Council, the Democratic centrist organization founded by Bill Clinton. He has served as Indiana's Secretary of State, two terms as their governor and now is in his second term as their junior Senator. He received over 60% of the vote twice for Senate in a Republican state. While he will not put Indiana into play, especially with Clinton heading the ticket, he can help swing Ohio or Missouri in the Democrat's favor. He is a strong pick and will likely be on every nominee's short list. I see it as likely that she would pick Bayh over Richardson. However, the two will surely be competing for the position. And the race is on.

Opinion makers have to make news if none exist and so the race for cabinet positions is a good way to do so. I thought I would add my opinions on a non-existent race.

-Wyatt Earp