Should Kerry give any token republicans cabinet positions? If so whom?

[fujiyama]

If Kerry is to be president, should he appoint any cabinet positions to republicans? It has been somewhat a tradition for each administration to appoint one republican -- Clinton had Cohen for defense, and Bush appointed Norm Mineta to transportation.

Which positions should a republican get? Should any republican get a spot? Who would be OK? McCain? Hagel?

I myself say no to any republicans in the cabinet.

[Spinzonner]

1. No, but ...

perhaps a few could be Prisoner Representatives at Leavenworth.

[aquart]

2. How about, NO.

They didn't even treat us with basic courtesy. We'll be polite.

But we don't give as a gift what they STOLE the last time.

Get it?

[movonne]

3. Jeffords should get one...not Rebug but used to be. Something to

do with schools.

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. NO!

They have destroyed our country. I suggest a token term in prison for 'em all! :grr:

[Dying Eagle]

5. Yeah I have some ideas

Chaney: Secretary of oil tasting

Rumsfeld: Secretary of Army Hospital Bed pan cleaning

AshKKKoft: Secretary of Undercover Gang work in South Central LA

G. W Bush: President of IRAQ (clean it up yourself)

[DU9598]

7. Yes

Give them a few ... only to Senators who are from states with Democratic governors. Make the Senators unpatriotic if they refuse to serve when asked by President Kerry.

It may just work to get the Senate back if we don't win it outright.

[Paradise]

21. perfect! lol! n/t

[Old and In the Way]

6. Yes, Olympia Snowe and Sue Collins

Sec. of Interior and HSS.......and John Baldacci can appoint two Democrats to fill their terms.

[amazona]

8. Not just no but hell no

But it's OK to pretend before the election that he will, if it will really help things.

[JI7]

9. to a republican senator from a state with a democratic governor

[JHBowden]

I'm sure he could find a spot for Lieberman.

:+

[ModerateMiddle]

10. probably an unpopular opinion, but Yes

I would support it. There are very fine capable people who are also Republicans. The very far right (along with the very far left) folks are louder than most and give most of the others a very bad name.

John McCain is a very fine example of someone with some philosophical differences, but understands that the opposition party in this country is NOT the enemy. I believe John Kerry knows this too.

Chuck Hagel would make a fine addition to a cabinet - perhaps even as DefSec - but I doubt he'd take it. Senate seats have far more job security than cabinet posts.

[LizW]

11. No, sorry

I'm for unity as much as the next person, but these are harsh times. The Republicans have completely sold out our democracy for their own personal gain, and that can't be forgiven. Anyone with a shred of decency left would leave the party. If they don't, they're benefitting from the corruption and they have to be purged from government.

Harsh, I know, but that's the way it is.

[MilDem]

13. That's why Kerry needs to make an effort

Bush is a divider, and Kerry has hit him hard on that. But Kerry needs to be a uniter, and putting Republicans in the Cabinet will show a real commitment to bringing the nation together.

[MilDem]

12. Sec. of Defense

I know that this is going to be unpopular with Democrats, but by putting a Republican in charge of the Defense department, it will help prevent Kerry's Iraq policy from being seen as partisan and blunt right-wing criticism.

[Crunchy Frog]

14. I don't object to having a token Republican

in the cabinet, but not for anything important and absolutely not for Defense. That would have the worst possible impact as far as perpetuating the popular stereotype of Democrats as being incapable of handling national security matters.

Something like Transportation, or maybe Veterans Affairs, with a reasonable, moderate Republican, if one can be found.

[dolstein]

15. Appoint a liberal Republican senator from a state with a Dem governor

NT

[2Design]

16. no we have to move back to the left.....we are still right of center

[pearl]

17. No, No, NO

As much as we liberals would like to extend a hand to moderate
repubs, it's not yet time. After all this is a brutal civil
war at the ballot box and I would consider them non enemy combatants,
Appeasing lying liars. First, Beat their asses, then heal the country.

Rebublicans who continue to stand by their man, either overtly or
tacitly, they are continuing the agony. Political Violence will
not heal the country.

They must all be shamed for a very long time.

[Padraig18]

20. I disagree that we are 'right of center'

How far 'right' we appear to be depends one how far left the viewer is. As far as the whole of the American electorate is concerned, I think we are clearly somewhat left-of-center.

[terrya]

18. Establish an embassy in Antarctica. Appoint Ann Coulter as Ambassador.

I love the idea.

[PSU84]

19. There are some who are decent people...

Richard Lugar, John McCain, Chuck Hagel, Lincoln Chafee, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins. Not many, but a few.