Kerry Should Start Floating Entire Cabinet Not Just VP

[Justice]

With All the controversy swirling around Rumsfield, Powell etc, Kerry should start floating names for cabinet positions. In my view, people inexplicably excuse Bush for being stupid, childish, lazy etc., but are beginning to have or already have strong reservations about Cheney, Rumsfield, Rice, and to some extent Powell.

If Kerry stopped making this about Bush v. Kerry and started making this about Kerry's team versus Bush's team - people would have an opportunity to evaluate just how different Kerry would be.

I know it is unusual, but think it is the only way.

[Catch22Dem]

1. I like that idea

I don't see how it could hurt.

[Michael_UK]

2. Good idea

It would be similar to how in the UK, you have a shadow cabinet to promote opposition policies on economics, defense, etc.

BTW, in the press, it looks as if the wheels are really coming off the Bush Team. If Powell and Rummy have to go before the election, it would really help Kerry's chances

[non sociopath skin]

3. I see where you're coming from but isn't there a risk ...

... that the Repugs would then divert the fire from their own proven incompetence to the presumed/ potential incompetence of the "shadow" team?

And, if any of them didn't ultimately join Kerry's post-victory team, wouldn't the cry be "we smoked 'em out"?

I think there's virtue in given the Shrubbery enough rope to hang themselves rather than furnishing them with hostages to fortune.

The Skin

[BJ]

4. It might light a fire under the Kerry effort.

I went to a rally for John Kerry last month. And, well if anybody thought Al Gore was stiff, wooden and mechanical (which I don't having seen and heard him on several occasions)Kerry is positively somnambulant.

Bush is getting his butt kicked just by being Bush, yet Kerry's poll numbers're slipping!

Wake up, John!!

[Justice]

5. John Kerry is 5 times the man Bush is

Why is it important to underscore what the RW is saying about Kerry.

Bottom line - Kerry is so much better than Bush, why do you feel the need to help out Bush by perpetuating the lines the RW uses.

I am sorry - don't mean to criticize you - but what you say feeds into their hands.

Substantively - what did you think of Kerry's content - how about posting about that?

[BJ]

6. Hey, I'm telling you the truth!

Sorry, but I went to a rally for Kerry and he was the worst speaker. His was a very uninspiring speech. The content was utterly forgettable and it was three weeks ago so how do you to expect me to remember that?

Sorry but that's the truth.

I was approached by a local TV newscaster on the way out of the auditorium and, usually never at a loss for words, had to decline an interview because I didn't want to say I was uninspired.

I hope Senator Kerry's just playing 'possum, doin' the rope-a-dope, then come out swinging after the convention.

And by impugning my opinion as "RW", which must mean right wing, you impugn yourself.

[zulchzulu]

7. I would wait

Let the news swirl about the Bush cabinet for a while. The soup is starting to boil nicely.

As soon as Kerry releases his possible cabinet, the BushCo Shill Factory will start their attack on them.

Don't jump the gun.

[theboss]

8. There's a reason this has never been done

It's a horrible idea for myriad reasons.

1. People don't vote for teams. They vote for Presidents. Nobody gives a rat's ass if Kerry's Treasury Secretary is going to be better than Bush's Treasury Secretary. They vote for the person less likely to blow them up in a nuclear war.

2. It takes focus off the candidate. We have six months until the election. Why waste any second of it talking about whether a potential national security advisor had an affair with a professor at Harvard.

3. It gives the opponents new ways to attack. Can you imagine what could have happened in 1992 if the never-ending attorney general fiasco had happened prior to the election? "This guy can't even do a background check on a hire and he wants to be president?"

[fujiyama]

9. I think it MAY have helped Bush

only because people knew those serving in the cabinet.

After all, Cheney and Rumsfeld were both defense secretaries in previous administrations (Bush I and Ford), and Powell is well known and was extremely popular (both parties tried to recruit him). Actually on second thought, I don't recall Rumsfeld's name even being tossed around. I think only Powell and to a lesser extent Cheney, helped. Also these people reassured Bush leaning voters because, while they may have had some concerns regarding Bush's FP experience, they had some confidence in Cheney and especially Powell.

Some of the names Kerry would name really would be unknown to people. After all, when putting a cabinet together, experts in various fields aren't that well known. The only two that may help Kerry would be Edwards and Clark, and I'm not sure how many there are that would jump automatically if they heard these two would have important spots in the administration. Plus, we know both are being considered for the VP nod, so it'd be premature anyways.

IF Kerry were to set up a "shadow cabinet", it'd be after the convention.

[chimpymustgo]

10. I'd like to see Kerry announce Edwards as VP on July 4th.

Begin a "Patriot's Tour", "Take America Back Tour", and go across the country till they get to Boston for the convention climax.

I think a couple of names should be be rolled out at the convention (Clark, Sec of State, Rubin Sec of Treasury) - and then all hit the road (Sleepless Summer tour?).

I think it's important to show that we are ready to govern, and turn things around from DAY ONE.

[fujiyama]

12. Hmm

Interesting idea. I really like the idea of starting it on July 4th.

[robcon]

11. I think it would be a huge mistake to announce a cabinet.

Kerry could only sign up people who would be willing to work for him, even though the job offer was conditional on Kerry winning the election. That's a lot smaller group than those who would work for him if they were sure they had a job (i.e. sure that the election was won.)

A lot of people don't want to announce that they are leaving their jobs next year, unless they are certain there is a job for them next year.

Kerry could get conditional commitments - but announcing them would be a disaster.

[Nederland]

13. Agreed

In addition to all the things you mention, naming cabinet members tends to turn people off. For example, if you say you plan to place a fairly strong environmentalist to head the EPA, you might scare off business and union support. If you say you plan to appoint someone more business friendly, you piss off the environmentalists. Far better to simply wait until after the election and not risk losing anyone's support.

[displacedvermoter]

14. I would have liked Kerry to name Edwards as his Attorney General

in waiting right after the Ashcroft testimony. He could have said "I am going to make my first pick the AG because it is so clear now how poorly served the nation has been by the appointment of an incompetent idealogue as the chief law enforcment officer of the land. John Edwards will revitalize the legal war on terror, while remembering that the interests of the poorest, most defenseless citizens must be protected...."

I think that restoring dignity to the Justice Department, FBI, and court system are going ot be critical. I think Edwards would be a magnificent choice, and they could put a very positive spin on it.

Name one or two choices a month -- General Shinsiki as Sec of Defense, Robert Rubin back to Treasury, Max Cleland to Veterans Affairs (the VA is in a shambles, services to vets young and old have been slashed by Bushco, this would be a big nod ot veteran voters, with a BIG commitment to make Veteran's concerns a top priority. It deserves to be.)-- which will draw big attention. Almost like the Bachelor as we see the VEEP contest narrowed down!

I like Dick Lugar as Sec of State, BTW. Clarke or Mary Landrieu as VEEP. Edwards would be good as well.

[chimpymustgo]

15. I still like the July 4th kick-off. Edwards VP. Clark in charge of Iraq?

Perhaps that should be a newly created Cabinet level position - and that will be perfectly tailored for Clark's experience.

I wouldn't name everyone at once. But would roll out key names along the way to keep the excitement up, and build up a team that will be ready to go, frankly, on Nov. 3.

[Nicholas_J]

16. Bad Idea

It gives the opposition an opportunity to attack yourchoices based on their political records and gives them more of an opportunity to try to indicate a radical liberal record (they can find something radically liberal about any democrat, even Zell Miller)