Why are cabinet posts rewarding for senators/governors?

[changemonger]

I don't quite get it, but then again I'm not an expert. I read somewhere that Blagojevich was asking for a cabinet seat or even an ambassadorship in exchange for the appointment of Obama advisor Valerie Jarett. I wonder why a governor of a state as big as Illinois would prefer to become a secretary of state or even an ambassador instead for a maximum of 8 years . Why was it important for i.e Hillary Clinton to become SoS when she could have had a long carreer in the senate ? Why would Janet Napolitano accept the HSS - someone hardly ever mentioned - post when she could have stayed the popular governor she was and probably even compete for McCain's senate seat ?

[Diamonique]

1. Prestige in some cases.

In others -- like Blago -- they figure they aren't going to get re-elected as governor.

For Hillary, I think (just guessing here) she saw SoS as a better job -- more high profile -- than junior Senator. There are lots of senators ahead of her in seniority, and they would always get the plumb leadership positions.

[changemonger]

2. more high profile ?

Well, I don't know. She can't stay SoS for more than 8 years and after that her political career is pretty much over.

[stillcool]

3. He was looking for $$$

in one conversation it was said that the Dept. of Energy was a money maker, and the best take could be had as the Chairman of a Non-Profit Organization.