Kerry wants Joe Biden as Secretary of State, McCain as Defense Secretary

[HeldsBelds]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1334724,00.html

Other names mentioned in the article.

Rand Beers or Wes Clark as National Security Advisor.

Bob Graham as head of the CIA, replacing Gross, who Kerry doesn't like.

Kerry also wants McCain as Defense Secretary and possibly giving a spot to Hagel, another republican.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Arizona's Democratic Governor will name McCain's replacement...

in this case!

[AntiCoup2K4]

13. That's the only reason for Kerry to pick any Republicans

...if they can help us out in the Senate. Of course the fact that nobody could question McCain's qualifications for the job isn't a bad thing either.

[txindy]

46. I think JK would make a sincere effort to reach across the aisle and help

put this country back together again in every way. Senate nominations may be part of it, but not the dominating part. I don't believe that. I see what you're saying, though. :shrug: It'll be interesting, whatever happens!

[Carolab]

2. Clark yes

NOT Graham
NOT McCain
Definitely NOT Hagel

[senseandsensibility]

4. Graham's great!

What's wron with Graham?:shrug:

[Carolab]

8. I read he backed Goss

Did I read wrong?

[senseandsensibility]

I didn't hear that.

Does anyone know? But Graham has really attacked this administration on their misuse of intelligence leading up to the war. He's not charismatic, and the mediawhores won't cover anything against * anyway, but he knows where all the skeletons are buried.

[Carolab]

53. Yes, here it is--off Graham's own website

Graham Says Goss Uniquely Qualified for
CIA Post



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 10, 2004

Senator Bob Graham, D-Florida, former chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement today on President Bush's announcement that he will nominate Rep. Porter Goss, R-Florida, as director of the Central Intelligence Agency:

I congratulate the president on the nomination of Porter Goss. Congressman Goss brings a unique combination of service within the CIA and, for the last 16 years, active involvement in congressional policy and oversight of America's Intelligence Community.

"Particularly at this time when there is a heightened awareness of the importance of sound intelligence in protecting our security, the nation would not be well served by a lack of permanent leadership at the top of the CIA. I will be urging my colleagues to see that this nomination is considered as expeditiously as possible.

"My close work with Congressman Goss on the House-Senate Joint Inquiry into the events of 9-11 and his support for the Joint Inquiry's recommended reforms of our Intelligence Community give me confidence that he will be a vigorous and visionary leader."

-30-

[Zen Democrat]

5. Graham - YES! He's been leading the charge against the Saudis.

[fujiyama]

6. Why not Graham?

Gross needs to go. Graham would be a great replacement.

[Tamyrlin79]

23. well, why not?

I don't mind McCain in defense... It'd be a nice olive branch to moderate repugs AND independents who support McCain.

Graham is pretty smart, too... was on the intelligence committee... and a SHITLOAD better than Porter Fucking Goss.

Hagel... sure, but only if it is one of the less important offices. Enough to mollify the repugs that he isn't leaving them out.

Getting the moderates on Kerry's side after the election by appointing Republicans is a strategic move... The more he isolates the fascist element and unites the country behind him, the stronger his position as president and the weaker theirs is to challenge his administration.

[Crunchy Frog]

56. Not in defense.

If we want to hand out olive branches, then give him veterans affairs. We need a Democrat in defense. We can't continue to reinforce the stereotype that defense is something only Republicans can handle.

I will be very upset if that happens.

[fujiyama]

3. I like the fact

that Wes is being considered for NSA. There shouldn't be a question. Wes would be great.

And I'm really happy that he wants Gross out!

[randr]

17. I should hope that no sitting Senator will

be offered a post as long as the Senate is so evenly divided. Unless, of course, if the appointee to take ones place is guaranteed to be a Dem.
The idea that a McCain appointment would allow a Democratic Governor the replace McCain with a Dem is a WINWIN.

[rockydem]

7. Fuck - not Biden

Pitt will be happy.

Where's Holbrooke on this list?

[CAcyclist]

45. What's wrong with Biden?

[dogtag]

9. It sounds like that entire article was penned by

MOTHER GOOSE!

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

10. I don't trust McCain...don't be fooled by his fake moderate stance...

of late...he is a typical repub...you can't trust the guy. You saw his true colors during the convention.

[DefenseLawyer]

36. I'll fully admit that

being from Indiana, this is kind of a homer call, but if Kerry wants a Republican in a foreign policy position he could do worse than Dick Lugar. Yes he's a republican, and no I don't vote for him, but he's a serious guy, without the social conservative baggage or future political aspirations of McCain.

[LittleClarkie]

60. Hey man, that's Kerry's friend yer talkin' about

If Kerry wants him, it's cool with me. He's worked with the guy. If Kerry decides to trust him and let bygones be bygones, that works for me. Despite the Repub Convention, McCain has still been a fairly consistent critic of the administration.

Pretty much whatever Kerry picks will be cool with me, actually. If he wants an olive branch or two, all the better.

It's good to see Clark's name nonetheless.

[liberalmuse]

11. It sounds like the Kerry camp is leaking...

and to the British. Clever! I would love to see Wes Clark as NSA. He's done so much for the Kerry campaign. McCain would be good as DS, but he's going to have to do some soul searching. This loyalty to Bush crap has never made sense. I have a feeling that Kerry is going to truly be a uniter.

[pacalo]

68. I'd love to see Wes Clark heading the NSA, too.

[mikehiggins]

12. See, this is the kind of stuff that always screws us up

Unity? Coalition? WTF are these people talking about?

If someone campaigned AGAINST our candidate and in support of theirs, he should NOT be given a blank check on any post. What about all the loyal Dems who broke their asses for Kerry? Do they get flowers and a thank you card from Hallmark?

Fuck it. I'm voting for the big guy but if he does this I ain't going to the inaugeration. Screw him.

[JohnnyCougar]

29. What?

McCain is a good man. The parties are going to have to work together to help this country. Do you want Kerry to be an ineffective President with repugs in congress limiting what he tries to do? Do you realize this almost solidifies his reelection chances in 2008? Do you realize McCain will take a repug seat away in the Senate?

[Tansy_Gold]

58. McCain is a piece of shit.

And because he's a puke from a strongly puke state, even a Dem governor wouldn't appoint a Dem in his place. McCain is up for re-election this year and he's very likely to win, so that's just another reason why Napolitano wouldn't replace him with a Dem.

[elperromagico]

14. Hush, hush, hush, damn it! It's a jinx!

:scared:

[CAcyclist]

61. It's not a jinx

Bush is over. Stick a fork in him. He's lost the confidence of at half of the American people. I won't accept him as President one second past his first term. I am confidant I am not alone and I see the general outrage as enough to see him drummed out of office, impeached or otherwise removed if there is any question about this election.

[KellyPaDem]

15. reverse McCain and Clark

even if we win there will be too many nuts still left in the pentagon and we don't need ANY Republican in there. Clark speaks their language and you still get the McCain effect.

[Tweed]

34. Can't put Clark in as Sec of Defense

You have to be out of the military for ten years to hold the position.

[barb162]

48. McCain is a repuke and has said it a million times and he wouldn't

accept a position with the Dems anyway. This is the man who hugs Bush and campaigns for Bush.

[KellyPaDem]

57. Really?

Wow I never heard that. Thanks :)

[ciaobox]

16. McCain? NFW

N-O F-U-C-K-I-N-G W-A-Y. he's a war hawk.

[JohnnyCougar]

18. This is actually very good news

McCain will mean the loss of a Senate seat for the Repugs!! If Chaffee goes Indy, we could have a 10 seat advantage in the Senate if the voting goes well!!! Go DSCC!!!

[requiem99]

19. God no, not McCain.

[Renew Deal]

20. Defense Sec. should be a dem.

Clark should be State. Beers can have NSA. Graham is OK at CIA. Dean should get some health related job. Jesse Ventura should get veterans affairs.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

40. NOT Jesse Ventura for ANYTHING.

He's an egomaniac who can't get along with anyone who disagrees with him or refuses to kiss his ass.

[The Magistrate]

21. We Cannot, Sir, Have A Republican For Secretary Of Defense

That would be a political disaster, perpetuating the idea Democrats cannot handle military matters. Medal of Honor winner retired Sen. Kerrey, former National Security Advisor Brzinski, or even one of the hard-case diplomats such as Amb. Holbrook, would be infinitely preferable to McCain.

"There is no land behind the Volga!"

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[JI7]

26. i prefer Senator Carl Levin of Michigan

and we don't have to worry about replacement of his senate seat since it will be appointed by Democratic Gov Jennifer Granholm.

[The Magistrate]

44. He Is A Splendid Fellow, Sir

And in the present circumstance, the proverbial yeller dawg would be prefereable to any Republican....

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[quaoar]

35. And who did Clinton appoint as Defense Secretary?

Republican Sen. Bill Cohen of Maine.

[incapsulated]

38. Let's not make that mistake again...

shall we?

[The Magistrate]

42. That Was A Mistake, Sir

President Clinton did make a few of those....

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[quaoar]

39. I always thought Kerry wanted Richard Holbrooke

at State.

[The Magistrate]

52. He Would Be Excellent There, Sir

But he is a damned combative fellow, and could handle the military end of the business, where it can be of use to have a fellow with some diplomacy about him....

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[JI7]

55. Holbrooke was reported to not want Sec of State job anymore

he wanted another position (national security advisor).

[Bush was AWOL]

59. Agree, which is why Sec. of Def. has to Biden or Levin

[snowbear]

22. We have to keep in mind......

...that article is only speculating. Either that, or they're just trying to drum up a gossipy story.

I'd HATE for the U.S. news to start blabbing that Kerry was picking McCain for anything... just to wind up with McCain coming out and dissing the proposed appointment.

[incapsulated]

24. This had BETTER be bullshit

McCain, my ass.

Fuck you Biden, you whore.

Clark for SOS.

:hi:

[Crunchy Frog]

65. Totally agree with you on that!

:hi:

[beniciodeltoro]

25. McCain is a puke! No thank you

Partisan Democrats only!

[GingerSnaps]

27. McCain is loony tunes

:silly: :wtf:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

28. Read the article. There's no substantiation to Kerry "wanting" McCain

to be SecDef. Pure speculation.

[Tom Rinaldo]

30. The question is why was this published now?

And why in England? A fabrication to sell newspapers? Floating trial balloons? A leak intended to appeal to still undecided or swayable voters? To create a sense of an inevitable Kerry victory? I pick numbers three and four. Doesn't commit Kerry to actually naming any of those people. Having it come out in the British Press gives Kerry enough distance from the story.

[Dob Bole]

31. Truman appoints Dewey as Secretary of State....

This seems unreliable to me.

I don't mind Bob Graham over CIA...(hey, we won't lose Florida ever again)

Personally, I think that either Carol Moseley-Braun or Wes Clark would make a better Secy. of State...not current Senators and they have diplomatic experience.

[demwing]

32. VINDICATION!

I posted a few days ago that Kerry should speculate about cabinet positions.

It was not received well. :)

.
.
.
ahem
.
.
.

:silly: NEENER NEEENER NEEENER :silly:

lol, just jokin

[tritsofme]

33. McCain has his eyes on 2008

No way he would accept any Cabinet post.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

37. This comes from The Times of London.

A Murdoch newspaper holding.

Anything else you guys need to know? ;-)

[sampsonblk]

41. Neither one!

NFW

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

43. Lay out the Olive Branch....

When all is said and done we must work toward a unified country....and this would go a long way...flame me if you will.

[Crunchy Frog]

47. Why is it that Democrats

always want to reinforce the stereotype that Democrats can't handle defense and national security?

Why does he want to give that absolutely pivotal position to a Republican? It just shouts out to the American people that "we Democrats are to delicate/sensitive/incompetent to handle national security, so we have to have Republicans do it for us.".

I don't have a problem with giving one or two token positions to Republicans in the in the interests of promoting national unity, but nothing that involves carrying out major policy, especially where national security or foreign policy is concerned.

[cindyw]

49. It has to be highly unikely for Kerry to fill his entire cabinet with

senators. Don't you think.

[troublemaker]

50. First, this is a campaign related leak. Does this article get more

votes? McCain is a very popular figure among swing voters. It's a good election week play.

The next question is whether it merely election week moderate-bait vote fishing. Who knows, but I suspect it does. It reflects some reality of Kerry's thinking as it's come across in various interviews, about what Kerry would like to do.

He has spent 20 years in a 100 person microcosm of American politics and sees all the different fissures within parties and bonds across party lines. If elected he knows there will be a window to wrench the tom clancy/john mccain/ah-nuld hawkish independent-minded secular republicans and the young south park republicans away from the Christian right.

I say try it. We cannot survive having the secular half of the country divided between parties much longer.

IMO.

[gauguin57]

51. John McCain is a fucking Benedict Arnold.

Screw him. He has lost the right to have any post in any Democratic administration. He has sold his soul to the fucking Prince of Darkness, so let him rot in hell.

[Jane Austin]

54. I think McCain is as nutty as Rumsfeld,

and besides . . . when we give the SecDef to a Republican, it feeds that old meme that Dems are soft on Defense.

Nope. I don't like it.

[snowbear]

62. McCain SUCKS......

I can't stand the pathetic television ads he's running here in Alaska for Miss NEPOTISM (Lisa Murkowski)..

He's pleading for Alaskans not to vote for Tony Knowles and hand the senate to Democrats.

He SUCKS! >>>>>> :mad:

[flordehinojos]

63. i would not give john mccain the time of day!

...and neither would Becky Burgwin who in an opinion piece entitled
"The Indestructible Base of George W. Bush" published by OpedNews writes ...

And finally, we have The Kiss Ass So I Can Be the Next President crowd. (I’ll spare you the anacronym.) This group actually currently has only one member and that’s Senator John McCain. Anyone who was even a little on the fence at this point in the American election process, and maybe thinks the trashing of John Kerry’s stint in Viet Nam is a little more sleaze than they’d bargained for, should be pretty darn convinced that Bush is the right guy now that a gen-u-ine war hero like John McCain is backing him.

(here is the link to the article if you'd like to read it):
http://www.opednews.com/burgwin_101804_base.htm

edited to add link to the article

[shance]

64. McCain, Biden, two PNAC'ers. And where is Dean on this list?

If anyone cares about this country and has the backing of the majority of this country it is Governor Howard Dean.

John Kerry might want to remain mindful of that reality, if he wants to maintain a strong support hold. The Democracy for America organization has all but taught the Kerry people how to mobilize and run a grassroots effort.

Meanwhile, John McCain and Joe Biden are two of the most spineless sell outs in Congress today. They are examples of our Democratic system, especially Biden, who are more concerned with the tailor cut of their suit than they are the quality of life issues Americans are faced with.
Neither appear to have courage to confront the bullies, they both have shown time and time again what wimps they are, and I see no strength of character or integrity to hold them up.

Tell me this is wrong.

[FrenchieCat]

67. This article is wrong...

Please note our own disagreement with the selections mentioned. For Pete's sake (and Kerry's too), this is a Murdock owned rag. Why would Kerry's team leak to them, of all folks. I beleive that this is "Bush*t"...planted to sow discourse between Democrats right prior to the vote.

I will say that Holbrooke does not get to "choose" his position as much as some here imply.

I pray that Kerry will not put a Republican as SOD....as this will be admitting that somehow Democrats are weak in this area. Why leak that kind of news before the vote? With both Bush and Cheney claiming that Kerry is weak....and McCain campaigning for Bush, none of the text of that story makes sense to me.

I also pray that Kerry will go with his gut as to whom he places where....and not based on popular polls or what pundits say (a la Edwards).

Hope Kerry has the nerves (especially after winning the election with the help of the Clinton Strategist --thanks for nothing Ted Kennedy) to select Wes Clark for a position worthy of his multitude of superb skills.

We need to chill and get the vote out. That's what counts right now. Don't let Murdock distract us.

Mkay?

[pacalo]

66. I read somewhere that Ray McGovern said Goss should break a

record for the shortest CIA director term in history. He needs to go, McGovern said.