“Team of Rivals”

In this busy world, with a lot of distractions, there are a lot of items that interest me, that I just do not have time to explore. Or at least I make the excuse I do not have time for them because I am surfing or blogging.

I have always been a student of the causes of history. I like to find out the backstory of an event. And, I must admit that I have ignored my passion for history in favor of current United States political events. Well this morning I was cruising through Memorandum when I came across Anthony Romano’s Newsweek story titled

Obama Hints at Naming Clinton to His ‘Team of Rivals’

This is fascinating on several levels. First, it goes back to the idea that the Ol’ Chief had when he was a wee bit more naive, that government positions should be filled by the best person available, regardless of the fookin’ party they belong to. Recall that Bill Clinton appointed a retired Republican senator, William Cohen as the Secretary of Defense during his second term.

Second, I find that Doris Kearns Goodwin has a recent book out titled Team of Rivals. I have read several of her previous works and intend a trip to the library later today.

Third, and wouldn’t this be a wonderful idea, with all the divisiveness afoot in the country, and I’m not talking over the Democrat nominating struggle, I am talking a cabal of right-wing neo-cons and their enablers in the media, wouldn’t it be nice to have a few honest Republicans (no *snark* here) in the cabinet, in a position of prominence, with a vested interest in the success of the Obama program? I am not necessarily talking about Sen. Clinton as the VP. Specifically, I am not talking up that issue at all.

Intellectually honest, prominent Republicans, and, folks, we’re not talking perfection here, remember these folks are politicians, but here are a few names. From the Senate, Chuck Hagel (Nebraska), Olympia Snowe (Maine) and Richard Lugar (Indiana). Former Rhode Island senator Lincoln Chafee could be considered. And finally, columnist George Will, whom I respect.

Certainly not an all inclusive list. Maybe a starting point. I wouldn’t presume to tell a person as bright and capable as Senator Obama who to pick for his cabinet, but based on Mr. Romano’s article, it would appear that he continues to think “out of the box.”

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