This month, the field of 2008 Democratic presidential hopefuls lost three competent competitors in rapid-fire succession: Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM,) and Senators Joe Biden and Chris Dodd of Delaware and Connecticut, respectively. While I do regret the loss of these three talented and capable individuals, I cannot shake the feeling that these worthy personages and those who will drop out in the future could play an important part in a Democratically-controlled White House; or may become cabinet officers in a projected Democratic presidency.
Let's talk about cabinet positions while we are on the subject. Who would be a good fit at Secretary of State? How about former Democratic presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden? Why Sen. Biden you ask? Well, he has been chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is a key member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has served as both its ranking minority member and is now in his second term as its chairman. He’s also a determined opponent of Bush’s badly-flawed Iraq policy, which wins mad points with me.
However, Biden has said that he would not serve as Sec. of State, saying that “under no administration will I accept the job of Secretary of State.” But, hold on a minute, Sen. Biden...politicians have been known to change their minds from time to time (look at our hapless, lackluster, and "ever lame"-duck president as a prime example.) The Secretary of State job is the integral position to begin the demanding tasks of rebuilding relationships and reconciling with old allies (foreign affairs-wise) that we have rubbed the wrong way since 2001; something Sen. Biden has said is crucial in restoring American prestige abroad. So when the Democrats win the White House in November, don’t be surprised if ol' Joe's keister warms the Secretary of State chair by January, 2009.
Gov. Richardson perhaps will return to his old position as either Sec. of Energy or U.S. Ambassador to the UN (both under President Bill Clinton,) but this perhaps is unlikely as there is talk of him being a Vice Presidential contender this year. Despite this, Richardson may just opt to remain as New Mexico’s governor, a position which Richardson enjoys widespread popularity. Gov. Richardson would benefit greatly from a Hillary Clinton victory in November, which would make his prospects for a cabinet position more likely than say a Barack Obama or John Edwards win. In any event, his name will be up in the air as a potential cabinet member or policy maker in either one of these administrations.
Chris Dodd, one of the original "Watergate Babies" elected in the wake of President Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974 (which includes Democratic Representatives John Murtha and Henry Waxman and Senator Patrick Leahy amongst others,) probably is a long shot for a cabinet position although he does chair the Senate Banking Committee, which may allude to a possible Dodd Treasury Secretary position; but he has only been in that position for a year and Chris considers himself no longer a candidate for the Senate in 2010, which may suggest that he perhaps is retiring from political life after his term is over. However, don't count him totally and completely out of an executive position just yet.
What about ones still in...so far…Dennis Kucinich perhaps as US Ambassador to the UN? Will former Sen. Mike “Pentagon Papers” Gravel (D-AK) be ignored by the new Democratic administration as he was ignored in seemingly all of the televised presidential debates? Does a cabinet seat wait for John Edwards, such as Attorney General, or will he return to North Carolina empty handed?
These, and many other questions (i.e. “has anyone seen Mike Gravel lately?” or "would First Gentleman be an appropriate title for Bill Clinton in Hillary's administration?") shall be answered on Election Day, 2008...at least, we hope they will be...especially questions concerning Mike Gravel, of whom I worry a great deal about...and know very little of.
Postscript: Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) has dropped out of the 2008 Republican presidential race. He is the only Republican contender to drop out so far in this contest. I suggest those individuals who's names are not Romney, McCain, Huckabee, or Giuliani still in the Republican race get out now. It is going to get increasingly ugly after Super Tuesday if the front runners have triple digit delegate counts, when you can barely crest ten all together.
365 days till Inauguration Day, 2009.
-NelsOnline
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