A Kerry Shadow Cabinet?

[Adelante]

Ministers Without Portfolio (Yet)
By CHRIS SPRIGMAN

After almost two months of free publicity during the Democratic primaries, several polls show John Kerry ahead of President Bush. Now that the Democrats have settled on their nominee, however, attention may turn elsewhere. The challenge for Mr. Kerry is to keep voters focused on his candidacy and his ideas.

<snip>

Shadow cabinets have not been used in the United States for both structural and political reasons. In parliamentary systems like Britain's, the winning party assumes power immediately after the election. In a presidential system like America's, voters elect individual candidates, and there is a transition period between the election and the assumption of power. In addition, candidates may be reluctant to form a shadow cabinet because they fear a member might say or do something embarrassing.

That risk certainly exists — but given President Bush's financial advantage, it may be worth taking. John Kerry should name a slate of accomplished, articulate people who would most likely serve in his administration. The expertise and energy of these shadow secretaries — who would have more authority than ordinary campaign surrogates — will keep the public focused on Mr. Kerry's message.

So who would serve in Mr. Kerry's shadow cabinet? There are many possibilities. Elena Kagan, the first female dean of Harvard Law School and a former counsel to President Bill Clinton, could be shadow attorney general and draw attention to the worst excesses of John Ashcroft. Gen. Wesley Clark could be shadow national security adviser, offering an alternative to the administration's unilateralist approach to the war on terror. Former Senator Gary Hart, who was a chairman of a federal commission on national security that issued warnings about terrorism in America before 9/11, could be shadow secretary of homeland security.

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Source: New York Times Op-Ed 3/5/04

[Mattforclark]

1. Yes

good idea all the way around.

[Adelante]

2. I like it I like it

:headbang:

[peacetalksforall]

3. Here's one positive aspect of a shadow govt concept

Those lowliest of 'low down durdy' politicos

are going to go after Theresa Heinz-Kerry with a vengeance.

This will be at a level equivalent only to Hillary Clinton

or Janet Reno

It will be ugly...

Having others in the picture that they can also target will help deflect attention off of her.

You know they are not going to go after Nader.

He is going to be sainted by them.

[Mattforclark]

4. Nader

Publicly offer him an environment job or a job with consumer protection of some sort.

95% chance he'll reject it, but

1) it's worth a shot.
2) if he declines it exposes him as even more of an egomaniac.

[Hoosier Democrat]

7. I nominate Nader for Ambassador to the Bermuda Triangle!!

[readmylips]

5. Going after Teresa has been really, really on my mind....

Ann Coulter will be assigned the dirty job of attacking Teresa, same way she attacks Hillary. At least Teresa has the billions to attack back.

[Adelante]

6. Let's get ready, then

Rapid response for Teresa. We need a plan.

[Hoosier Democrat]

8. Dealing with Ann Thrax Coulter..

We just need the following:

1 bucket of water
1 girl from Kansas

We'll take the bitch OUT!!!