UK Times: Barack Obama is lining up a cabinet of stars

[BluegrassDem]

With the economy on the brink of recession and the country in the midst of two foreign wars, Barack Obama is considering appointing a cabinet of stars to steer America through potentially its worst crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s if he wins the presidency on November 4.

Obama has a well-regarded, close-knit team of domestic and foreign policy advisers who would follow him into the White House and key administration posts. But he is also being urged to make some high-profile appointments who would command the confidence of the country at such a troubled time.

“It’s important to send a signal,” an Obama adviser said. “With a comparatively new person in office and the awful mess we’re in, these appointments are going to resonate around the world.” Obama, 47, has been warning his supporters that the election is not over yet. “Don’t underestimate our ability to screw it up,” he said last week. But should Obama win, he will not be short of big names to choose for his administration.

A host of well-known figures, including some Republicans, have indicated they would be willing to serve in some capacity as Obama begins to acquire a winner’s glow. From Senator John Kerry, the 2004 presidential candidate with hopes of becoming secretary of state, to Larry Summers, a former US Treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton, and Chuck Hagel, the Republican senator who has been tipped as defence secretary, there are plenty who have signalled their availability.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4968993.ece

[Sodan]

1. K&R

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. Is Kerry really interested in SOS? I would have thought Obama would

pick Susan Rice for that post. But perhaps he should go with seasoned DC veterans for a post like that? Hagel would be a great S.O.D.

[MadBadger]

3. Dont believe anything this rag says...have they been right once with their rumors?

[Samantha]

4. Kerry as Secretary of State

The idea of that was a show-stopper. I could hardly read further. I started imagining the most wonderful things happening. I never truly envisioned him in this role, but now that I do, I think it is an extremely creative choice. I think he would be incredibly effective. Hagel as Defense Secretary would help unite the parties on Iraq. I give that choice four stars. Summers as US Treasury Secretary, I don't feel overly qualified to comment on. There have been a couple of people mentioned for this who are good; I am just not in a position to argue who would be stellar.

It's an exciting process to watch start unfolding -- Obama choosing his cabinet.

Sam

[VoodooGuru]

5. Kerry as SOS? Intriguing...

Sir, I find your ideas intriguing and wish to subscribe to your magazine and/or newsletter.

Oh wait, I already do.

[AllentownJake]

6. It will piss some people off on here

but look for Dick Lugar at Homeland Security or Defense and C. Powell at education (if he does what is expected of him tommorow by some here)

To be honest I expect an Obama Administration to look like

Sec. of State Bill Richardson
Sec. of Defense Dick Lugar or Chuck Hagel
Attorney General John Kerry (He was Attorney General of MA)
Sec. of Homeland Security Dick Lugar or Chuck Hagel
Sec. of Treasury Warren Buffet or Larry Summers
Sec. of Transportation Ed Rendell
Sec. of Health and Human Service Kathleen S. from Kansas (Insurance Commissioner Background)
Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsak
Sec. of Veterans Affairs Max Cleland or Wesley Clark
Sec. of Energy Al Gore
Sec. of Labor Jennifer Granholm
Sec. of Commerce John Corzine

[Trajan]

7. I already believe this is a GREAT idea ... and the time has come ...

I dont need the Times to tell me, but I am glad they are printing it ...

I am against Democratic Senators taking appointments, such as Kerry for SoS .... We NEED them in the Senate ....

I think Hagel has already proven his NON-PNAC bona fides ... He has been solid for the last 3 or 4 years .... Good for him ....

Giving America a look at an Obama Administration is a great idea, and this is the right time to do it ....

Go Obama !

[BrklynLiberal]

8. I did not realize that Obama had any relationship with Colin Powell..

Powell is unlikely to return to the cabinet after the mauling he received over the Iraq war, but could serve as a special envoy abroad. He is regularly consulted by Obama on foreign policy and military matters, and said last year: “I always keep my eyes open and my ears open to requests for service.”

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

9. Obama's cabinet is going to be wall to wall heavyweights.

Some well known, some less so, but he will surround himself with first class minds. He relishes being around his intellectual equals and hearing as many well-argued positions as he can. He does not live in fear of being challenged like the tiny Chimperor.