OK, let's assume that Kerry gets the nomination and defeats Bush.

[NightTrain]

Hell, even an atheist like me would pray for the second part of that assumption to become reality! :D

Anyway, let's also assume that under a somewhat bizarre set of circumstances, Kerry asks me to recommend some people for his cabinet. Here's what I'd tell him:

Vice-President: John Edwards
Secretary of Defense: Wesley Clark
Secretary of Health & Human Services: Howard Dean
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development: Al Sharpton

I'd also advise Kerry to consider Dennis Kucinich, Dick Gephart and Carol Moseley-Braun for cabinet posts, but I'm not sure for which ones they'd be best.

So, whaddaya think? Would those be good recommendations for Kerry, or is my head up my ass as usual? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

1. Dennis Kucinich for head of the department of peace.

I'm not holding my breath though.

[NightTrain]

2. We have a Department of Peace?!

And Bush hasn't disbanded it? Geez, ya learn something new every day! ;)

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

7. Hell no.

I was just saying it because it was one of Kucinich's proposals if he were to be president.

[robsul82]

14. Yeah, it's called THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

:)

Later.

RJS

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. Kucinich would make a great Interior Secretary

In fact, I really can't think of anyone who'd be better.

[LastKnight]

4. who would you put as kerry's runningmate?

just kinda wonderin...

-LK

[NightTrain]

6. As I stated in my original post, Edwards.

Why? Because the two of them would make a good balance. Kerry is from the north, Edwards is from the south. Kerry was born into a well-off family, Edwards grew up working-class. Seems to me, those two would complement each other quite nicely!

[LastKnight]

12. oops musta missed it... sorry nt

[Caution]

5. Kucinich, Braun and Gephardt

Gephardt - Sec of Labor
Kucinich - Sec of State
Braun - Sec of Education

[tritsofme]

8. I read somewhere that Clark would be ineligible for Sec of Defense

because he has not been out of the service long enough.

I don't know the truth of that however.

[damnraddem]

9. Gotta be careful ...

to not lose too many Dems from Congress.

That's a problem with Edwards as a running mate -- the GOP might get back that senate seat.

[Catholic Sensation]

13. Edwards isn't going to contest his seat

he already said that.

[displacedtexan]

10. Defense is a civilian post

I think there's a time requirement (5 or 10 years out of the military).

Rev. Al has never been recognized by the national party.

[blondeatlast]

11. Okay, but for H&HS Secretary, I go with Dennis Kucinich.

[eissa]

15. My picks

VP -- Bob Graham
Sec of State -- George Mitchell
Sec of Defense - Max Cleland or Wes Clark (whowever doesn't get this one can maybe get the Veterns Affairs post?)

See?! Not one person taken out of the House or Senate!

[tritsofme]

16. except

See?! Not one person taken out of the House or Senate!

Except for Kerry himself.

Does the con governor of Mass get to appoint his succesor?

[DU9598]

17. Tom Vilsack

I think he would make a good Sec. of Education or Commerce Secretary. The added bonus is that it would allow our Lt. Governor of Iowa Sally Pederson two years as the Governor before running for re-election in 2006. Our Lt. Gov. is much more articulate and liberal than our current Governor, and being Governor for two years would help her win in 2006. Gov. Vilsack has already announced he will not run for re-election, so he needs to be in the Cabinet or on the Supreme Court.

[shawmut]

19. unfortunately yes

and i think we would see Mitt Romney in the Senate.

[question everything]

18. I think that people who run for office would like to be their own boss

Would like to be the center of attention. Let's be honest: one has to have huge ego to declare to the world that s/he wants to be the President of the United States, or even the mayor of anytown, or even on the school board of any school.

I think that Kerry's cabinet should be composed of individuals who agree with and who will implement his ideas. I think that the other candidates have their own ideas of how they would like to run the country.

The only reason why someone - please, no, Edwards - will accept the vice president position is for the mistaken notion that the next step is the top one. It is not and history shows us this.

[belle]

20. Some people have floated Eliot Spitzer for Attorney General

[bornskeptic]

23. I think Spitzer as AG is a virtual certainty. n/t

[jpgray]

21. DK for Interior or Labor. Both need to be cleaned up. :-( (nt)

[aldian159]

22. al sharpton should be press sec.

That would make the briefings worth watching.

However, sharpton as HUD is probably better overall.

[bornskeptic]

24. How about this?

VP Wesley Clark
Secretary of State Gary Hart
Attorney General Elliot Spitzer
Secretary of Labor Dick Gephardt
Secretary of the Treasury Paul Krugman
Secretary of the Interior Dennis Kucinich
Secretary of HH&S Howard Dean
White House Press Secretary Al Sharpton

OK, the last two or three are pretty unlikely, but interesting to think about.