Now the above transition flowchart. It is making the rounds in Washington tonight, though our source would not reveal the actual source of the document. It lists suggestions for top cabinet posts, many of which have been rumored for days inside and outside the new administration.
HotAir’s astute assessment of the above cabinet positions:
- Al Gore as climate-change “czar”: Why does this need a “czar”, the term used in this org chart? Wouldn’t this be the responsibility of the Department of Energy? Both Republican and Democratic presidents have used “czars” for various issues like energy, the drug war, and so on, and all have had the same thing in common: they never work. Gore himself is no surprise as a selection, but Congress should insist he give up his interest in his carbon-trading firm. That would be a big conflict of interest.
- Colin Powell for the Department of Education? He’s also shortlisted at the DoD, which makes a lot more sense, but what qualifications does Powell have to head Education? Other than giving an endorsement to Obama, that is? He’s also listed at State, but I’d be very, very surprised if he returned to that position.
- Penny Pritzker at Commerce: So, Obama would nominate someone who cost taxpayers millions in a bank collapse to a Cabinet position, eh? Why not exhume Charles Keating and put him on the Cabinet at Treasury as well? I can’t wait to watch the confirmation hearings for a Pritzker nomination.
- Eric Holder at Justice: Holder pushed the Marc Rich pardon through the DoJ as a Clinton-appointed deputy AG, bypassing the prosecutors despite procedures being in place to get their input on proposed pardons. It turned into the biggest scandal in the last days of the Clinton administration, and prompted a Congressional investigation into potential payoffs for pardons. So much for a higher ethical standard from an Obama administration.
- Richard Clarke at Homeland Security: Actually, the line-up there looks decent, with Tim Roemer, Raymond Kelly, Bill Bratton, and James Lee Witt on the list. Witt’s the weakest of the five, and Clarke was part of the team that failed pre-9/11. Bratton might make the best selection, but I wonder if Obama might appoint Joe Lieberman instead to resolve the standoff in the Senate?
- Artur Davis at Justice: This is the same Artur Davis who took part in the intervention against OFHEO regulators in 2003 on behalf of Franklin Raines. Can he be trusted to enforce the law? Not after that performance.
- Republican Watch: Chuck Hagel at State, Powell in the slots mentioned above, Robert Gates to potentially stay at Defense … and that’s it. That’s exactly what I predicted. I’m a little surprised to not see either Olympia Snowe or Susan Collins on this list, but maybe Obama thinks he can use them in the Senate.
