Name that Cabinet!

Now that the nomination is over sooner than ever before since Edwards dropped out last night, John Kerry will eclipsed by other more trivial items of news and Bush's bully pulpit. Bush's millions will start to blanket him tomorrow. In fact, I was interrupted from typing just now by a RNC pop-up asking me to "support the president's agenda" the funniest part was "lower interest rates" something which is making progressively higher with his tax-cut and spend budgets.

But back to the point; how is Kerry to keep a positive image of him going until the July Convention in Boston? Sure MoveOn's ad campaign this week will help, but Bush is going to be spending way more money. My suggestion? Slowly name your cabinet. Make it like the family feud and leak names to the press of people in the running for various spots.

Have each one of the 9 other democrats who lost to you have a fundraising race on your behalf to get in your cabinet and on your agenda. Ditto for VP wannbes like FL Sen. Bob Graham, NM Gov. Bill Richardson, IN Sen. Evan Bayh, and all the rest of them. Hell, hold a couple fundraisers with Hill and Bill. That if nothing else will fuel the fire of attention (I can see the NY Post header now: "Kerry-Clinton 2004?") like the Clintons. Even talk about who you might replace Terry McAuliffe with in 2005. '

Here's whom I might pick out slowly, if I were Kerry (realistically, with backups):

• VP: Bayh (see why here) or Edwards


• State: Clark (already has good relationships with Europe) or Richard Holbrook


• Defense: John McCain (nobody else will have credibility to cut out wasteful Pentagon spending during a war like this Maverick; plus, Gov. Napalitano (D) gets to name a new Senator with a full two year term) or Bob Kerrey.


• Treasury: Bob Rubin (no one has more [Wall] Street Cred than Ruby) or Larry Summers


• AG: John Edwards (he'll crack down on the FBI and its crappy performance that will remind folks of Bobby Kennedy) or Elliot Spitzer


• CIA director: Graham (former Intelligence Chairman knows his stuff and won't lie to President Kerry) or Gary Hart.


• Homeland Security: Gary Hart (his commission in 1999 was eerily right about 9/11) or Graham


• Commerce: George Sorros (hey if you give several million to elect Kerry, I think you deserve a plum like this) some other rich dude who helps Kerry raise dough


• Labor: Gephardt (if he can pass the Senate) Bob Reich


• HHS: Dr. Judith Steinberg (aka Judy Dean) or Howard Dean (I'd prefer him to be DNC chair)


• OMB: Dem. Senate Staffer on the Budget Committee


• Agriculture: Tom Vislack or Rob Atkinson (PPI VP)


• Interior: Deb Callahan (LCV head) or Jan Mazurek (DLC environment person)


• Chief of Staff: Mary Beth Cahill or Jim Jordan (both did good jobs on the campaign)


• Veteran's: Cleland (triple amputee will make sure Vet's are left out in the cold) or one of Kerry's "Band of Brothers"


• Energy: Grey Davis (this cost him the election, among other things) or John Dingle (get him out of the House)


• Education: Ted Kennedy or George Miller (heads of Dem committees in Senate and House)


• Transportation: James Oberstar (heads of Dem committee in House) and Doug Duncan (Montgomery Co., MD Executive)

Please comment on your picks, or critique mine below.