Obama's Dream Team

[Lynn Farris]

Okay, we are all speculating our favorite choices for the cabinet. Actually that is all the talking heads and journalists are doing as the transition team and Obama have been very tight lipped about their vetting process.

I'm suspecting that we will start hearing some appointments next week, so with that I mind, I thought we might want to put forward our own dream cabinet.

Secretary of State: I hear lots of names I like for this position, but I think I'm going to go with General Wesley Clark - since he hasn't been retired long enough to put in in as Secretary of Defense (10 years is required - but there has been exceptions made.) He did a great job of getting us in and out of Bosnia without the loss of a single American life and he stopped the genocide of the Muslims there - so he is a hero to them. Plus he is a Rhodes Scholar.

Secretary of Defense - I think I will select a Republican here and pick Chuck Hagel. He has been for getting us out of the war and he is famous for having saved his brother and having been saved by his brother in Vietnam.

Secretary of Treasury - Lawrence Summers - despite his controversial comments about women - he did a great job for Clinton and I think he has a great grasp of how to turn the economy around.

Secretary of Energy - Rep. Jay Inslee - He wrote the Book Apollo's Fire, which is an amazing book on how to have a project to make us Energy Independent and create new jobs. Every time I have heard Obama's Energy program - it sounds like he is taking it verbatim from Rep. Inslee.

Secretary of Education - General Colin Powel, He is a brilliant man that was badly used by President Bush and the powers that be. Since leaving the cabinet - he and his wife have devoted their efforts to improving education. He is a known leader and would do great things I believe in this area (a second republican)

Secretary of Veterans Affaris - Max Cleland would be a popular choice, he certainly understands the problems of veterans. Another interesting choice would be Tammy Duckworth - a National Guard member from Illinois who lost both legs in Iraq and is now heading Veterans Affairs in Illinois and has worked with Obama. Would be nice to have a woman in a traditional male field too.

Attorney General - Mass. Govenor Deval Patrick. former assistant U.S. attorney for civil rights would be my first choice. An outside choice would be Hilary Clinton - she is smart, she worked for Legal Aide. She taught law and worked as a lawyer.

Secretary of Health and Human Services - Howard Dean is a name that comes up and I think he would do a great job. He implemented State wide Health care in his state. I'd select Dennis Kucinich if I thought it was even possible. (He in my mind would be great - but I doubt he is selected.)

Secretary of Housing and Human Services - Valerie Jarrett,

Secretary of Agriculture - Michael Pollen he has written extensively on sustainable agriculture. Obama has mentioned him. He has an advanced degree from Columbia. I think he would be a great choice.

Secretary of Commerce - Penny Pritzker

Secretary of Interior - Robert Kennedy Jr. (or EPA) He has done a great job cleaning up the Hudson doing research on mercury in our water and possible links to autism.

Secretary of Labor - Dick Gephart - popular senator widely know for his pro labor stands

Secretary of Homeland Security - Richard Clark - one of my favorites and he has a depth of knowledge.

Secretary of Transportation - lets pick another Ohioan - Jim Beasley - Ohio should be proud of their roads and I think he has done a good job.

UN Ambassador - Caroline Kennedy - she is smart, thoughtful and would represent a significant shift in our policy

[Donald Farris]

Secretary of State: Bill Richardson

Secretary of Defense - General Wesley Clark - ask for an waiver like they did for Marshall.

Secretary of Treasury - Warren Buffett

Secretary of Energy - Rep. Jay Inslee

Secretary of Education - Caroline Kennedy if not UN Ambassador if she refuses to move.

Secretary of Veterans Affaris - Max Cleland

Attorney General - Patrick Fitzgerald

Secretary of Health and Human Services - Howard Dean

Secretary of Housing and Human Services - Valerie Jarrett,

Secretary of Agriculture -Fred Kirschenmann

Secretary of Commerce - Ralph Nader - maybe he would keep China from selling us tainted goods.

Secretary of Interior - Robert Kennedy Jr. (or EPA)

Secretary of Labor - Dick Gephart

Secretary of Homeland Security - Richard Clark or National Security Advisor

Secretary of Transportation - Al Gore - or maybe someone new

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

The latest headline is that Hillary Clinton is the leading candidate for the Secretary of State position.

My dream team would be...

Secretary of State: Bill Richardson
Secretary of Defense: General Patreus. (wouldn't that be something?)
Secretary of Homeland Security: Colin Powell
Secretary of Veteran Affairs: John Kerry
Secretary of Energy: Al Gore
Attorney General: Hillary Clinton
UN Ambassador: Bill Clinton

[sharon kinsella]

Secy of Labor - John Sweeney
Secy Health and Human Services - Dennis

[Stan Austin]

Secy of Labor------Joe the Plumber
Secy of Ed----------Mike Huckabee
Secy of Def--------Jesse Ventura
Secy of State-----Rudy Gulliani
Atty Gen-----------Elliot Spitzer
Sec Treas---------Bob Serpentinni
UN Ambassador--Debbie Sutherland
Secy of Transportation--Danica Patrick
Housing and Hum Serv--Dick Lurie

[sharon kinsella]

Press Secy - Stan Austin