The Next Cabinet

[Uboat509]

Given their important roles in small eats, I was wondering who the people on this site would like to see fill the roles of Secdef and Secstate. I would guess that at least a few here have pretty good ideas for who they would like to see or conversely who they do not want to see. Secdef will ne inheriting a military that is trying to define it role and still fight a war that has grown increasingly unpopular. Secstate is inherit, among other things, the sheer joy that cones from trying to get the Iraqi governent to do, well, anything. The next two people to fill these roles will have a profound effect on our success or failure in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. I know that among our members we have both Republicans and Democrats as well as one member who I think was a Whig. Between all of us, I think we have all the bases covered.

I am not sure about the Secstate. I liked Dr Rice but she has not accomplished as much as hoped. As for the Secdef, I like Max Boot but he is on the youngish side so maybe an undersecretary position for him. Maybe Boykin for the top spot.

SFC W

[Watcher In The Middle]

SecDef:

Keep current SecDef Robert Gates in place.
Jack Welsh (Retired GE CEO).
Retired Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA).
Retired Senator Alan Dixon (D-IL)
Current MS Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS)

Logic: The next SecDef is going to need more of a political understanding and innate political navigation skills, and the ability to reach across the partisan divide. And anybody who thinks the Nov., 2008 election is going to resolve that entire issue is just kidding themselves. Any of the above guys could all get it done.

Personally: If people issues are a big thing at Defense, Jack Welsh would be somebody to seriously consider. He developed one incredible leadership team at GE.

[Stevely]

Let's leave the corporate sector out of this? DOD has not fared well with SECDEFs from the corporate world.

[Ken White]

Not a one from that background has been great and only Weinberger did pretty well.

[slapout9]

I was thinking Tom Odom for SecDef,Stan for head of DIA,Ken White for Sec of Health,Education and Welfare straighten some them young'ins out

[Ken White]

abolishing the Department...

[SteveMetz]

I was thinking Tom Odom for SecDef,Stan for head of DIA,Ken White for Sec of Health,Education and Welfare straighten some them young'ins out

So what am I, chopped liver?

[SteveMetz]

SecDef:

Keep current SecDef Robert Gates in place.
Jack Welsh (Retired GE CEO).
Retired Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA).
Retired Senator Alan Dixon (D-IL)
Current MS Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS)

Logic: The next SecDef is going to need more of a political understanding and innate political navigation skills, and the ability to reach across the partisan divide. And anybody who thinks the Nov., 2008 election is going to resolve that entire issue is just kidding themselves. Any of the above guys could all get it done.

Personally: If people issues are a big thing at Defense, Jack Welsh would be somebody to seriously consider. He developed one incredible leadership team at GE.

I would think Hamre or Lieberman would get a look. Possibly Tom Ridge.