Day: December 7, 2008

Another Biden in the Senate in 2010?

The governor of Delaware has picked a long time aide to Senator Joseph Biden, Ted Kaufman,  to replace him when he becomes Vice President of the United States, after 36 years of Senate service. 

Kaufman has made clear he is willing to step aside in 2010 to allow Attorney General Beau Biden, the older son of the future Vice President, to replace him after service in the National Guard in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next year or so.  Beau Biden would be running for the remaining four years of the term his father was just elected to in November. 

Again, having a famous name can help, but it must be pointed out that Beau Biden has already been voted into office by the citizenry of Delaware and has been serving successfully as Attorney General.  The fact that he is now serving his country in the war zone certainly adds to his appeal to voters, and ultimately, it is the voters who will decide his future.  Based on the exceptional record his father forged over his six terms from 1972 to now, it can be expected Beau Biden will win in 2010 and justify succeeding his famous father in the Senate!

Jesse Jackson, Jr to Replace Barack Obama in Senate?

Speculation is rife in Illinois, where Barack Obama has given up his Senate seat, that Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr, son of the famous civil rights preacher and 13 year member of the US House of Representatives, will be selected to replace him in the Senate, to guarantee that one African American will remain in the Senate.

Certainly, Mayor Richard M Daley, a political rival of the Congressman, would like to see him removed as an opponent in Chicago politics.  It must be pointed out  that Jackson, Jr has been close to Obama and that he has been a constructive member of the House and has even openly criticized statements and actions of his famous father over the years. 

As in New York, there are other well qualified candidates but it seems to me the likelihood is that the governor of Illinois will select Jackson, Jr and that he will turn out to be an excellent appointment, and face running for a full term in 2010.  As has been true in the past, having a famous political name helps greatly, but also the qualities of the person matter, and Jackson, Jr cannot be seen as simply being picked because of his race, but also his qualifications and experience.

Andrew Cuomo or Caroline Kennedy to Replace Hillary Clinton in Senate?

NY Governor David Paterson has a real quandary in choosing an appointed successor to Senator Hillary Clinton, once she is confirmed as Secretary of State in the Obama Administration.

He has two individuals from famous political families to consider, as well as other less well known congressmen and congresswomen and local officials who are interested in the plum appointment.  It is almost a certainty that he will decide between Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, son of former Governor Mario Cuomo, and Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy, who has been involved in promoting the welfare of public education in New York City and was a leader of the committee apppoined by Barack Obama to choose his ultimate running mate for Vice President,  Joe Biden. 

It is very appealing to pick Caroline Kennedy, who could revive the image of Camelot, continuing the Kennedy role in American politics, and insuring a continuation of at least one Senator Kennedy for the foreseeable future.  For 54 of the past 56 years, there has been at least one Senator Kennedy and for the time being, there would be two Senators Kennedy, something that aging Senator Ted Kennedy apparently wants to occur.  Caroline Kennedy has spoken with Governor Paterson about the position, now at a time when her children are grown up and she is starting to become more active in public life after avoiding it for many years.  Her endorsement of Senator Obama was crucial to his campaign, and it would indeed be very appealing to choose her, and would certainly insure an easier race for Governor Paterson as he seeks the Governorship by election in 2010. 

On the other hand, Andrew Cuomo has been outstanding as Attorney General in the past two years and was a cabinet member under President Clinton, and has a proven track record and would also be an outstanding person to add to the Senate.  Besides that, Cuomo, if not chosen to fill the Senate vacancy, is likely to challenge Governor Paterson for the gubernatorial nomination in 2010, so that would make it seem likely that Paterson would, for his own political survival, choose Cuomo.

But if I had to bet on what is more likely to happen, despite rational thoughts, my bet would be on Caroline Kennedy getting the nod for the Senate, because how does someone back away from the idea of another Kennedy in political life, particularly one as popular and non controversial as Caroline Kennedy?

And imagine this:  Caroline Kennedy in the Senate by appointment in 2009, winning the remaining two years of the seat in 2010, and then winning a full term in 2012, meaning she would not face a Senate election in the presidential year of 2016.  And also imagine she makes an outstanding record and becomes considered a possible Presidential candidate in 2016 or 2020.  Is this too much imagination or is it possibly a reality?  🙂

The Appointment of General Eric Shinseki to be Veterans Affairs Secretary

President Elect Barack Obama has just nominated retired General Eric Shinseki, former Army Chief of Staff and decorated Vietnam War veteran, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs in his cabinet.  Shinseki, the highest ranked Asian American in the military in American history, is a sensational choice to deal with the long ignored and much underappreciated veterans which have been the backbone of our defense in our many foreign wars, as well as peacekeeping operations around the world over many years. 

General Shinskeki was forced to retire in 2003 by the Bush Administration when he publicly made it clear that an invasion of Iraq would require several hundreds of thousands of troops, a statement which proved to be true but was ignored by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and led to the disastrous, drawn out intervention in Iraq which is now finishing its sixth year in March 2009, and has led to the total repudiation of the Bush Presidency as he is about to leave office.

General Shinseki will be a strong advocate for proper treatment of the multiple problems faced by veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as well as those of earlier conflicts.  It has been a disgrace what has occurred under so called "patriotism" Presidents , including Ronald Reagan and both Bushes, only too willing to send soldiers off to war and then ignore their needs upon return.  It is long overdue to return dignity to our military and show respect and appreciation for their sacrifices, and President Elect Obama is certainly headed in the right direction with his latest appointment!

The First Republican Presidential Poll for the 2012 Election

Can you imagine that even before the inauguration of President Elect Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, there is already a poll on the present standing of various Republicans in the race to become the GOP nominee for President in 2012?  Can we NOT have a respite from polls at least until the first Hundred Days of the Obama Presidency has occurred?  🙂

In any case, the poll is very revealing of the power of celebrity, without being evidence that one can rely on and believe will be followed through on three years from now when the race is in full swing.  Former Governor Mike Huckabee, Governor Sarah Palin, and former Governor Mitt Romney are the top three candidates, but all three have major weaknesses and shortcomings and are extremely unlikely to be the choice of the GOP voters in the primaries and caucuses.  Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former NYC Mayor Rudy Guiliani follow behind, and to believe that either of them will win is really stretching reality!  LOL  So the top five candidates in the poll are all extremely unlikely to be the nominee and to have a realistic chance to win the White House against President Obama.

The other two Republicans in the poll, although numbers six and seven on the list, should, on the other hand, be seriously paid attention to, as both are newer faces and have a more moderate image–Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Governor Charlie Crist of Florida. They have much more credibility and at least on paper, electability.  Of course, this is all subject to future unknown events, but IF the GOP chooses any of the top five on the list, I believe they are doomed in 2012 and beyond.  New, fresh blood and a moderate image are essential to have a long term future for the revival of the Republican party nationally.