Why Obama Should Name His Cabinet Now

[babylonsister]

:popcorn: Interesting read...what do you think?

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=why_obama_should_name_his_cabinet_now

Why Obama Should Name His Cabinet Now

Whoever he picks as his running mate, Barack Obama will end up disappointing someone. But if he announced a cabinet at the same time he could reassure all factions of his party.


Paul Waldman | August 5, 2008 | web only


When Barack Obama announces his pick for vice president, one set of questions will be asked, in various forms, over and over: Does this candidate adequately address Obama's weaknesses? Does he or she compensate for the nominee's relatively brief time on the national scene? Does the VP pick make some potential attacks on Obama harder?

It's a lot to ask of some senator or governor -- maybe too much. But the day of the running-mate announcement could be truly revolutionary, if Obama has the courage to offer to the public more than just a running mate.

Given the possible vice-presidential candidates who have been floated in the press (and there's always the possibility of a choice from left field), there may be no perfect choice. There are some candidates who bring gravitas and Washington experience (Joe Biden or Chris Dodd), some who reinforce Obama's message of change (Kathleen Sebelius or Tim Kaine), and others who offer a comforting blandness (Evan Bayh). But no single candidate has everything everyone -- Obama supporters and reporters observing the race both – either hopes for or expects. So no matter what, when Obama announces his pick, there will be some grumbling.

But what if there were a way for Obama to get all the benefits of whoever his VP choice is and simultaneously shore up all the areas in which that choice might fall short? What if he could show strength on both foreign and domestic policy at the same time? What if in a single press conference, Obama could provide both excitement and reassurance? What if he could satisfy his base and reach out to independents? Is there a way for him to truly offer something for everyone?

Picture this: Obama announces his VP choice like every other candidate does, with a press conference praising the running mate. But then he says, "And I have something more to announce. I believe it's important for the American people to know where I intend to take the country, and the team I'll put in place to get us there. So today, I'm also announcing that a group of extraordinary leaders has agreed to join my administration, should I be fortunate enough to win this election." The curtain opens, and out walks President Obama's Cabinet.

snip//

Back in 2003, Tom Schaller wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post suggesting that a presidential candidate could amaze the media, double the amount of ground he or she could cover, and seize control of the campaign by choosing a running mate before the primaries had even started. Unfortunately for them, none of the candidates took him up on it. With only three months until Election Day, time is running out for Obama to do something truly surprising. Naming his Cabinet now could be just the ticket.

[w8liftinglady]

1. This is an excellent idea.

[vaberella]

5. I concur.

[rox63]

2. I disagree - That would actually look presumptuous

He needs to concentrate all his energy on winning in November. He'll have plenty of time working on a cabinet after the election.

[Seeking Serenity]

3. And it would give the RW even more targets to do their dirty work on.

[vaberella]

6. Ooh, good point. This didn't even cross my mind.

Maybe the idea is not so good.

[babylonsister]

8. What the author said about this looking presumptuous...

for those that didn't click on the link.
I'm sure it won't happen, but the idea does have possibilities. They're going to bash Obama regardless; what if his selections were inspired? And they will be. ;)


Obviously, there isn't a lot of time to assemble a large group of potential Cabinet secretaries if Obama wanted to present them before his convention. And he might not want to get tied down just yet, in which case he could send out some strong signals to reporters without making a firm commitment ("I haven't made any decisions, but I think Gov. Napolitano would make a great attorney general, don't you?"). But making a formal announcement would send a far more powerful message -- and initiate a wave of positive coverage about the future Obama administration. Would McCain harrumph about how "presumptuous" it is? Of course. But Obama's counterargument -- that because he is less known, he wants to give the public a clear picture of what his administration will look like would be much more persuasive.

[book_worm]

4. Not a good idea. Yes, it would look presumptuous and desperate and also because it's making the

cabinet positions a political tool. Stupid idea.

[Mass]

7. Given the way the media is covering potential VPS, why would anybody give them

10 to 20 more names to smear?

Not to talk about the fact that it would defacto pose problems to some very potential choices if they are currently running for reelection.

For a media person, I understand it looks great: it would give them pages of simple articles to write, without doing anything.

[babylonsister]

9. There's a point I hadn't thought about and one this article didn't

address; don't want to skew anyone's reelection chances.

[Thrill]

10. Yeah. Give them another reason to call him arrogant

[scheming daemons]

11. They're already calling him presumptuous.... so might as well run with it....

There is nothing wrong with presumptuousness and confidence.

Let it show...

[snooper2]

12. Stupid..

stupid- would look presumptious

[book_worm]

13. We now live in a culture that wants everything NOW! we want Obama to name his VP NOW

and his cabinet NOW.