Why the Secretary of Defense needs to be a Democrat

[dorkulon]

Most here have probably heard about what Democrats call "the mommy problem." That is, that voters see Republicans as the Daddy Party (whom you run to when you're afraid) and Democrats as the Mommy Party (whom you run to when you want something). This unfair notion, that Republicans are better-equipped on defense and security issues, is the underlying reason why, when pundits speculate on which of Obama's cabinet appointments might be Republicans, they immediately think of positions like the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense.

Obama has a chance to subvert this perception, by appointing smart, competent Democrats to these positions. Appointing Republicans, or even just keeping Bob Gates on, only supports this Tough Republicans/Weak Democrats meme, and further damages the brand, whereas eight years of smart national security strategy, orchestrated by Democrats, would do much to dispel this unfounded myth.

There are too many names to mention, but it's clear that the Democratic Party is bursting with qualified candidates for Secretary of Defense, State, and Homeland Security. I understand the concept of appointing some Republicans to promote a sense of bipartisanship, but let's not bolster a pro-GOP falsehood in the process. Find a couple of decent Republicans (there must be at least two), and assign them to non-defense-related posts where they can't do too much damage. But this time, let's show this country what smart defense policy can do for them.