Here's Hoping That Kerry Begins Announcing His Cabinet Choices (His Team)

David Zephyr

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Mon Sep-20-04 05:29 PM
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Here's Hoping That Kerry Begins Announcing His Cabinet Choices (His Team)

Edited on Mon Sep-20-04 06:07 PM by David Zephyr

John Kerry can get some of the big headlines he now wants and help his campaign in a big way by announcing his Cabinet choices before the election. It's a win-win for Kerry to do so and here's why:

1.) MASS EXODUS OF BUSH'S CABINET EXPECTED AFTER NOVEMBER: George Bush will be losing almost his entire current Cabinet "super stars" --- the ones that hold his hand and spoon feed him daily -- after the election. So the question is who will be minding the store should Bush win? By announcing his choices for Cabinet Level positions soon, Kerry can immediately take the lead on a story that begs the question of: who will be there at Bush's side for the next four years?

2.) BUILDING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE BY ANNOUNCING YOUR "TEAM": Think back and consider: When public doubts about George W. Bush's ability to govern arose during the 2000 campaign, the green-behind-the-ears Governor of Texas quickly began announcing who would be joining him in the White House...to give him "gravitas". Remember? The names of Colin Powell and Dr. Condi Rice and a host of other "seasoned" veterans from Reagan and Bush I administrations were dangled before the American people to reassure them that this goofy Bush kid wouldn't be alone at the helm of the nation. If this worked for a proven idiot, how much more will this benefit the very bright and experienced John Kerry?

The American public is rightly or wrongly worried about terrorism, the events unfolding in Iraq, the economy, jobs, healthcare and more. Senator Kerry can begin rounding out what his administration would look like now and put names and faces on the individuals who would be joining him in helping tackle these great problems that face our nation.

3.) FOCUS ON KERRY'S TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL DRAW MEDIA ATTENTION: With each Cabinet announcement, Kerry can generate "news" of his own and also seize that opportunity to showcase how the current administration has miserably failed. A few examples:

a.) The Bush State Department: Colin Powell's catastrophic failure at at international diplomacy and the country's subsequent loss of respect around the world. Powell has indicated that he will not be staying on for a second Bush term. Who will?

b.) The Bush Treasury Department: Both John Snow and Paul O'Neill along with Bush's other economic advisers Harvey Pitt and Larry Lindsey (three have resigned in disgrace) have led the U.S. economy into the first net job loss since Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression. Will Snow, like O'Neill and Pitt and Lindsey also depart? I'm certain that Senator Kerry will appoint a superstar to fill the Treasury position, but who is it? Tell the American people, John. Help them visualize the positive change you will be bringing to government.

c.) The Bush Labor Department: Elaine Chao abused her high level Cabinet position within the White House to the point of high level treason as she oversaw millions of American jobs outsourced to China. Can American literally "afford" to have this woman continue on for four more years outsourcing their employment and livelihoods? Kerry will make a sterling appointment here, but who? Tell the American people, John. Show them the face of who will be standing at your side fighting to keep American jobs here, fighting for better paying jobs here.

d.) The Bush Defense Department: Donald Rumsfeld, who has also indicated that he will not be part of a new Bush II administration, has so botched the War in Iraq, mishandled the aftermath in Iraq after the initial invasion, blew his chance to capture Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, embarrassed the nation with his authorization of torture of prisoners of war, and worse, lied repeatedly to the American people, that his exit will be leaving a house of cards behind him. Bush will also have this vacancy to fill, but who will Senator Kerry, a decorated veteran of a foreign war himself, have standing with him to help keep the peace in the world, to help facilitate a safe and timely withdrawal from Iraq? Flesh out your vision, Senator Kerry, by announcing your team...and in so doing, you will be able to simultaneously juxtapose your serious and thoughtful leadership against the scary growing vacuum within the Bush Administration.

d.) National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson have all told associates that "they don't plan to stick around." Even John Ashcroft, we have been told, will not be around to head the Justice Department and the FBI. Who will Bush appoint? Kerry can ease the American people's concerns with "change" by now showcasing his team.

4.) BY ANNOUNCING KERRY'S CABINET TEAM, IT ALSO SPOTLIGHTS THAT GEORGE W. BUSH --- A MAN KNOWN TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AS LIKEABLE, BUT DAFT AND VERY DEPENDENT ON HIS STRONG ADVISERS --- IS ASKING FOR A SECOND TERM OF FOUR YEARS WHILE OUR NATION IS AT WAR AND THE ECONOMY IS IN THE TANK WITHOUT TELLING US WHO HIS CABINET REPLACEMENTS WILL BE.

So there it is, Kerry can seize news media attention with each announcement and the subsequent media reporting of each candidate, can point to the mass exodus of Bush's advisers and therein create focus on Bush's need for advisers, and can point out that he is ready to assume the office of the presidency in these troubled times with a great, capable team of seasoned and respected advisers who are ready to lead our nation to greatness again, both stronger at home and respected (again) in the world.

Play your cards John. Show the American people the strong hand that you have and at the same time...call George W's bluff.