Senator John McCain as Obama’s Secretary of Defense?
By Chicagoan on November 16, 2008 at 3:39 PM in Backtrack Obama, Barack Obama, Chicago, Defense, John McCain
Barack Obama has already stated an intention to appoint at least one Republican to his cabinet. Citing Abraham Lincoln as a precedent, Obama will even consider political enemies for powerful positions in his administration.
A source in Chicago informed me earlier today that John McCain will be meeting with Obama and his handlers tomorrow in Chicago in order to discuss the possibility of a Secretary of Defense appointment. That McCain will be in Chicago tomorrow is corroborated by an article London Times published one hour ago. The Times, however, claims McCain will most probably not be appointed to a Cabinet position. But he will be consulted on topics on which he and Obama have “common ground.” This certainly does not preclude the possibility of an appointment of McCain to Secretary of Defense.
Our source maintains that McCain will visit Chicago tomorrow in order to discuss the Secretary of Defense appointment. Even if Obama chooses not to appoint McCain to this position, it raises a series of questions:
- Why would Obama consult with someone who his campaign surrogates called a warmonger on his choice for Secretary of Defense?
- How would a McCain appointment to Secretary of Defense herald the new foreign policy Obama touts, especially when Obama characterizes McCain’s foreign policy as an extension of that of George W. Bush?
- How will Obama’s supporters react to the appointment of John McCain to Secretary of Defense?
- Why would Obama consider or consult with John McCain when he has consistently cited Chuck Hagel as the type of Republican with whom he could collaborate on defense and foreign policy matters?
- Does the knowledge that McCain will visit Chicago in order to discuss the Secretary of Defense position with Obama signal that Obama may not consider extending the tenure of John Gates, George W. Bush’s appointee, as Secretary of Defense?
- And how is prolonging Gates’s tenure “change?”
- Is Obama considering McCain for Secretary of Defense in order to make McCain’s Senate seat available to Janet Napolitano? Is this how Obama will secure a supermajority in the US Senate?
Obama desires to fashion himself as an Abraham Lincoln, as a man who can cooperate with his fiercest detractors. Appointing John McCain to Secretary of Defense would certainly continue the tradition of Lincoln of forging relations of cooperation and collaboration with one’s adversaries. While this is laudable, it does reveal Obama’s acute awareness of his lack knowledge of matters of foreign policy and defense. It also reveals that Obama never truly believed the criticisms he leveled against McCain during the general election.
Whatever the case may be, we know McCain will be in Chicago tomorrow in order to discuss the Secretary of Defense position with Obama. However one may feel about McCain’s stance on defense and on foreign policy, Obama’s supporters should find their candidate’s willingness to consult with a “warmonger” antithetical to the stance Obama assumed during the election. But then again, Obama has been anything but consistent, and his supporters certainly did not support him for matters of policy or of ideology.
I guess we will know if McCain was offered the position of Secretary of Defense tomorrow night or some other day next week. Will Obama ask McCain to complete the 63 page questionnaire? And will McCain complete it?
McCain will certainly serve his country in any capacity: his motives are not to be questioned. But we should question Obama’s motives for considering McCain for Secretary of Defense. Share your thoughts about the information our source related earlier today about McCain’s visit to Chicago tomorrow in the comments thread.
(Release: November 13)
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Wow!!!
I was thinking of McCain as Sec of Defense before I went to bed last night.
I think it would be great as McCain wants victory with Honor in Iraq and understands the other systemic threats in the area.
Obama should also appoint Sarah to a position that helps special needs children
If Obama does all these things and appoints Hillary as SOS it really could be a new day in America
Yes it truly would be a new day in American politics. A dreadful day as the two party system disappears and Obama solidifies control over the nation. This is nothing more than a willful attempt to silence opposition covertly. Obama is a master tactician and it is on display again. Any who disagree with him are part of the past and should be disregarded. Can you imagine McCain or Clinton accepting his invitation to join the administration only to leave and be lambasted and labled part of the past and the real problem. If they don’t accept and then disagree with his future approach to issues his response will be that they had a chance to join his team and influence his decision making process and decided not to. If his policies fail Obama will blame his appointees and destroy their political career. I have to say that Obama is quite deft in practicing Machiavellian politics.
And if he gave John the job, in six months fires him or forces him to resign and John is not in the Senate to oppose Obama’s changes. I would never trust him….never, ever.
Yes, this is what I thought of as soon as I saw the trial balloons re McCain for SecDefense and Hillary for SecState — get them out of the Senate, out of the way of BO’s (or Reid/Pelosi’s?) legislative agenda, and then ditch them at the first alleged opportunity.
Easy peasy for a dirtbag like BO and his Chg gang.
Too easy.
PUMA!!!
Isn’t it quite Machiavellian to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?
This is the kind of hateful, head in the sand king of thinking that ran the GOP into the ground this election cycle. I’ll bet you anything this person, “aaron” has a red “R” next to his name because they fall right in line with the, even though it ain’t working, keep it up and go down with the ship attitude that the republicans have maintained over the past few years. President-elect Obama would be making a real effort at uniting the country by inviting McCain and/or Clinton to be a part of his cabinet and just about all experts agree on this.
Yes it truly would be a new day in American politics. A dreadful day as the two party system disappears and Obama solidifies control over the nation. This is nothing more than a willful attempt to silence opposition covertly. Obama is a master tactician and it is on display again. Any who disagree with him are part of the past and should be disregarded. Can you imagine McCain or Clinton accepting his invitation to join the administration only to leave and be lambasted and labeled part of the past and the real problem. If they don’t accept and then disagree with his future approach to issues his response will be that they had a chance to join his team and influence his decision making process and decided not to. If his policies fail Obama will blame his appointees and destroy their political career. I have to say that Obama is quite deft in practicing Machiavellian politics.
Interesting perspective which I could agree with based on the evidence presented this election.
However, I’m an optimist!!
Obama wants to succeed and if any of his appointees fail then it’s a reflection on his presidency. I believe that Obama placated the far left to win and now wants to reach out to the 56 million that voted against him.
Time will tell, but it could be that Obama is a centrist that really wants what’s best.
A unified and strong United States!
what can you be thinking? obama a centrist? sure i’d like to think that but common sense says that is horse manure.
Obama is amazingly pro-corporate, actually, which in US-political terms is often described as “realist” or “centrist”.
I think the diehard Obama supporters are in for a real shock, if they eventually CHOOSE to see him for what he actually is.
i have wondered that also. however the proof will be in the pudding. i don’t see him swinging hard left because frankly he can’t do it. he won’t have the votes and there is no money for his followers. so we have “a bad economy” and it becomes very convenient for obama to blame bush and then follow corporate orders. of course that doesn’t make him a centrist in my few but simply a man owned by the corporations.
DREAM ON…or snap out of it.
lol
Just another way for Obama to become Dictator for Life. God help us, but where are the honorable men? Are there none left?
I am a huge Obama supporter, and McCain has always been my favorite Republican, I think him as Sec of Defense and Hillary as Sec of State would be great for this country. I am a little confused why so many on the extreme right believe Obama will be a dictator, can someone seriously explain this to me? Where are you getting your information from? Why do you believe this man wants to harm this country? I just dont understand your theory…at all.
I thik it is funny that you believe people on the far right are worried about Obama. I’m an avowed Independent who has voted for many people on both sides of the aisle based on the pols positions. The whole idea that people need to explain where they get their information from is quite ridiculous, when in reality you wouldn’t accept the validity of my sources anyway. The truth is that I think about things and connect the dots amongst the array that has been set before me. I analyze situations based on facts not preconceived notions. Realize that I voted for Obama when he ran for Senate.
I truly would love for Obama to be the greatest president in our history, but I don’t think his behavior in the past leads me to this conclusion. The behavior he has engaged in is very similar to that of other leaders who have established totalitarian states in their nations. Now it is possible that he won’t do this but I don’t understand why behaves the way he does. What is his goal?
Finally I believe that Obama sees this country as inherently unfair and deeply flawed and as such in need of drastic change. The change he brings might be great and lead us to a new better country or reintroduce failed past policies that will destroy our way of life. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Hubris and arrogance have destroyed many nations in the past and we are not immune to this outcome. I love my freedom and liberty and I believe that individuals ultimately will stand up and fight to keep the rights that they currently enjoy.
Apparently, you don’t do any research Bill. We’ve been discussing these issues for months. Read something instead of watching mainstream news on TV.
THEORY?
First of all, I am a life long Democrat as are many people on this site — or at least they were until this year. I have never been a member of the right and until McCain, never voted for a Republican.
Those here who do not trust Obama as far as they can spit feel this way for excellent reasons — namely his shape shifting behavior throughout the entire primary and general election campaigns. He has stabbed so many in the back and like to knee cap and oust the competition – -ask Alice Palmer.
Both Senators Clinton and McCain would be fabulous – the poiint is that he LIED is degrading them when he ran and they are fierce and knowledgable people — he wants them under this thumb — they would be his employees and he could blame or fire them at will.
Get it?
I’m with you. Why do you people feel this way? Is it because your candidate didn’t win office? Or is it because of his name? You people have very over active imaginations…dictator? Jesus, people. Snap out of it.
No, I don’t think it is his name. It is his theories. The fact that he wants this country to be fair. Why should I have to work my ass off, and climb my way to the top. Just to have to share my wealth, the way the government sees fit. If I want to donate, I will donate to my charities. NOT TO WELFARE. LIFE ISN’T FAIR. PEOPLE NEED TO LEARN TO WORK FOR WHAT THEY WANT. IT DOSEN’T MATTER WHAT COLOR YOUR SKIN IS, YOU SHOULD HAVE TO WORK FOR WHAT YOU WANT. NOT GET MONEY HANDED TO YOU FROM THE RICH. SOUNDS LIKE A ROBIN HOOD THEORY. STEAL FROM THE RICH, GIVE TO THE POOR. I ALREADY CAN’T WAIT FOR HIS HORRIBLE TERM TO BE OVER.
I can scarcely believe the adolescent naivete that is in full displayed by some on this board.
So Sarah should step down as governor of Alaska and abandon all her efforts on energy independence to serve OBAMA in a position in which he could fire her anytime he wants?
She does not need Obama to serve as a model for Mothers with special needs children.
God your logic gears have all been stripped bare with all the grinding.
One thing is sure about your comments..
Never Country first!!
How is it country first with a filibuster proof senate?
You want to give ALL the power to ONE party?
You are DNC first. Period. You can’t possibly be a PUMA.
Obama is a CENTRIST? You are delusional.
You know everything loser!!
yesterday you were calling me a Freeper
Why don’t you grow up and stop assuming things about people you fool.
You must have the wrong guy.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=FReeper
I can’t imagine calling you a freeper. I have no idea who you are. I don’t know your gender or your politics. And now you are stalking me
because I called you a FREEPER yesterday.
This is getting surreal. I had to look up the name in the urban dictionary.
By the way let the record show that you have just called me a “loser” and a “fool” and suggested that I am filled with hate becasue I think it is dumb for McCain to be Obama’s SOD.
These are just some of the reasons why it is a dumb idea.
I must be a bigot to oppose your “cautious optimism” the Obama is a centrist.
Seattle Moss, please lay off the Kool-Aid. I can sense you want it all to work out and are probably exhausted (like everyone else) by all of the negativity, but come on! Obama has never acted honorably, so why would his motives be pure now?
These offerings are just a way to get rid of both HRC and McCain in the Senate. Since the two were “defeated” by the same guy, they could unite to implement their respective agendas in a bi-partisan way. I think BO fears such an alliance between the two.
I think McCain is the most qualified for the position and knows how the soldiers feel from a personal standpoint. He will be able to make the best decisions than anybody else I can think of. And Hillary is also the best choice for S of S because the world and the United States love the Clintons and her and Bill know the loops in and out. That will definitely be the biggest CHANGE to politics in history, which Obama stresses will happen. If he takes on McCain that will gurantee he will be re-elected another term. He may lose some of his supporters, but he will gain more supporters from Hillary Clinton and John McCain supporters. And after that I think Hillary will be the next President.
That’s a mind-bender. Didn’t we JUST go through an election between these two?
The Keystone cops have taken over the government indeed!
I heard ( or read, I forgot already) that McCain wants to discuss immigration reform.
I am hoping Hillary and Mac both stay way from OBonaparte. That being said, so far we only see talk of SOS for Hillary and now SOD for Mac. If these don’t pan out then all the more reason to despise OBonaparte for floating the ideas only for APPEARANCE. That would be a shameful act of someone acting more akin to high school class president than POTUS.
Galt
If this is just a tease that doesn’t pan out then it is more evidence of Obama’s lack of leadership and playing fast with peoples emotions.
That’s how he spent the campaign — O is not original — he copies other’s work. This isn’t new information — many of us have made this comment.
What O-zero might be trying to do is find in-house individuals he can copy from.
My prediction based on a PAS evaluation of his patterns of behavior throughout the election process is that Obama needs a mentor — on his own he can’t make decisions and CREATE policy. He can’t see the big picture. If we see any “big picture” actions it will be from Axel-snot who probably has detailed charts and computer databases — that’s how creeps like A-snot operate. He’s the one to watch — the power behind the throne.
Axel-snot probably has a list of all Senators and Congressional Reps — just like they did with the Super Delegates — and they will want to know out the ones who refuse to drink the Kool-aid.
My question about McCain as Sec. Def. — was this information deliberately leaked? That would be interesting to move McCain out of the Senate — where he is able to work across the aisle – and into a position where he would be under the direct control of O-zero and Axel-snot.
We don’t know how many of these meet and greet are on O-zero’s initiative or Axel-snot’s
Of Course — O-zero will want to control the news — get the news to focus on his issues. The guy is sleazy — what is his other hand doing?
Too bad we can’t have a betting pool at NQ –
i concur
They shouldn’t be sucked in.
Clinton is floated, then we hear about all this strict vetting to avoid being sullied by association, the Sunday Telegraph comes out late last night (my time is MT), then the AP has a huge story which my local rag spreads across the full page, all 6 columns about Bill’s associations.
It’s so typically Obama camp…Frankly,I wish Clinton would have squelched the “float” of her name immediately.
It’s already more Clinton trashing…tainting them to finally destroy them is the goal…
My theory here…
http://tinyurl.com/6eaycw
I think Hillary will be SoS.
Perhaps I advised in the wrong schools. But when class elections came, myelf and others made sure the sutdents were thinking about voting on substance not just popularity.
And you what – they may choose a VP for wrong reasons – but those HS kids showed remarkable good sense in electing the PRESIDENT.
So can we please layoff the HS kids – not all of them are drunk on kool-aide – nor have they all left their brains in a closet somewhere.
Thanks.
Well the high school kids that elected obama, must have no morals. Electing a baby killer, welfare loving whine ass. Life isn’t fare bastard, into office.
If McCain is appointed Sec of Defense it would give the Democrats the 60 and maybe 61 votes in the Senate. The Gov. of Arizona is a Democrat and could appoint a Democrat to take McCain’s place in the Senate. Is that really what we want?
This talk of the 60 seat senate doesn’t take into account liberal republicans that often cross over and vote with democrats.
Republicans can’t filibuster every time.
we need another opposite party to keep the party in power honest even if it is republicans. we have seen that the dems didn’t stand up for us. how in heaven’s name can you want them to have a filibuser proof senate.
It is if you are a logic challenged left-wing nut job. We need some checks and balances to guard against Obama running over our democracy. McCain as SOD would be the dumbest political move ever.
Winston says
“McCain as SOD would be the dumbest political move ever.”
Dumb for who?
Maybe for you and your small minded agenda..
You’re being left behind with your hate…
Get over it dude…New day has arrived and all of us have to think about whats’ best for America.
I’m cautiously optimistic that Obama is a centrist who wants to succeed as president.
Typical reply. So you are playing the HATE card? Are you going to call me a RACIST next?
And you think one party Rule is good for the country? That is what is best for America? Obama with a filibuster proof senate?
Yikes.
By the way, your posts are extreme and Hate-filled. You are filled with vile Hate. Hateful. What a shame.
She how easy it is to name call?
I agree!
I am not agreeing with Seattle Moss .
If you don’t agree with Seattle Moss you must be filled with hate; according to her.
Another sexist who thinks he knows everything about everybody..
I have you you know that I’m a 6′4″ male that owns a large company that gets tired of little condescending twits.
Seattle Moss, MyDD is calling.
him..
Don’t forget the real benefit. If he gets McCain out of the senate, he can have another seat there. You think the Governor of AZ would appoint a republican. She could appoint herself, another vote for the agenda, and make it closer to a filibuster proof senate.
Are you suggesting that you want a filibuster proof senate? How is that good for America unless you are a marxist who thinks the constitution is flawed?
You people are scaring me.
What agenda exactly are you talking about? The MSM as a branch of government?
She’s a Dem, this is her last term as Gov., no secret that Senator Kyl’s seat might be her target next. But she has to pick another Repub to replace one.
John Gates.
Wasn’t he the lead singer for Bread?
Oh, no, that was David Gates.
Any relation to Bill?
It would be a very smart move on Obama’s part. McCain has good relationships with foregn leaders, an insight into the military like no other from his personal experience and knows what war is all about, unlike our current President Shrub.
I’d feel a bit more at ease with an Obama Presidency on the foreign policy front with McCain in the administration.
Wonderful John…Now I see why so many Republicans decided to stay home and not vote for you.
Let’s all join hands now and become one big happy Socialist Society..
God Save The USA
God. This rumor is really a stunner. If McCain became part of the Obama administration, what would that do to Sarah’s prospects in 2012?
But I don’t think it’s going to happen.
Of course, I was kicked out of the Prophets’ Union a long time ago for incompetence.
McCain seems to me to be a good choice for Secretary of Defense. If McCain is serious about curbing runaway, fraudulent spending in the Defense budget and if he can decrease costs and waste for essential defense programs and eliminate nonessential programs, it would help the whole budget picture enormously. Besides Obama does not need the military eyeing him warily or worse. There needs to be a lot of mutual respect if not trust in that relationship. This kind of bipartisan appointment could help win the respect.
He’s just using this as a way to get those opposed him out of the way. Once leave their senate seat, they serve at the pleasure of the president. The president can change member of his cabinet at will. With 60 vote+ in the senate, he can basically do that whenever he want.
He’s just playing politics again. I don’t think either Hillary or McCain should leave the senate at all. A over powerful Executive branch is not exactly balance of power the founding fathers had in mind. A split government is the best way to get centrist ideas put in place. I would’ve voted for Obama (even I really dislike him) if the republican have total control of the legislative branch.
I agree. Same tactic, different senator.
Get rid of any temperance to be found so he can progress his domestic agenda any way he sees fit.
I think Obama knows that who ever he puts in the SoD position, that McCain will be the ringleader in opposition to his policies on the senate floor. He wants to co-opt McCain into the process and tamp down his strong feelings about Iraq. He knows McCain feels so strongly about Iraq, that he will continue to be a thorn in Obama’s side if he has other ideas on Iraq and troop withdrawal. Unfortunately, it’s a smart move on Obama’s part.
Further proof that Hillary or McCain should be president. Period.
I would have loved to have seen McCain serve in a cabinet position under Hillary or Hillary under McCain. But for them to serve under Obama? Hell no!
I agree. The base for any kind of bipartisan effort is trust. Obama had shown through out this election as well as in the past that which his lacking. He can flip without warning. He can’t hire me to work for him at any capacity. I simply don’t trust him.
Finally some sanity.
McHope,
Thank you!
I think the notion of 0bama picking McCain is absurd. Not that there is anything wrong with McCain, but didn’t 0bama beat Hillary because of the Iraq War? Weren’t all those lunatic leftwing nutjobs screaming for the troops to leave ASAP?
I sympathize with all of you who are genuinely scared of 0bama to the point where having Hillary and John McCain working in key spots puts your minds at ease, but come on! If he puts them in these spots it’s an indication that he is clueless about what to do. So why is he the POTUS???
Ridiculous.
You Betcha. Imagine stealing the elections from these two (OVER 200,000 fraudulent ACORN votes-in each of the swing states) and then asking for their advice?
How can he offer SoD to Mccain? Didn’t Obama promises to get out of Iraq in 16 months or so…
See how Gov Palin did not back down regarding Ayers/Obama tie in her post election interviews. Then Ayers came out & said on GMA & stated that Obama is friend of the family. She is tough, a natural born leader. She connects with the people, even if you don’t agree with her on several issues. Sarah will be President in 2012 that’s if Obama does not get our country destroyed by Russia & China using their proxies, Iran/Al-Qaeda.
Alaska is 10 miles away from Russia. Oblahma better be careful. Sarah is close and we will have none of Oblahma’s hustler crap.
Hopefully he doesn’t get inaugurated. He’s 50% caucasian, 45% Arab and 5% negro.
So much for being an AA. Try Arab American.
We aren’t getting out of Iraq until 2011. That’s the news today. Treaty made. Nothing OVomit can do about that I don’t think. I hope McCain stays as far away from OVomit as possible. Hillary too. No reason their careers should go down on the USS Barry Titanic.
Hello Beautiful!
Hi Angel. How are you today? Hugs.
Big Hug!!
I enjoyed our dance the other night. really made me happy!
Treaties have to be ratified by the Senate. Besides, Obama wasn’t going to take us out until late 2010 anyway.
God Bless Mr. McCain for his honorable service to our country.
It looks like BO wants to keep Hillary and McCain as far away from the senate.
Defense? Er….no. I might offer him Homeland security, however. Then he could focus both on security, and on the treatment of prisoners, torture, etc…
I think Mccain as SOD is a real stretch. I mean, if we are to hold them both at what they said during the campaign, they are truly worlds apart. It wouldn’t even constitute a trip to the middle for Obama. It would be a shift to the right. I just don’t see it. But what do I know.
DaveG is right. Homeland Security would be a good spot, but I honestly don’t think he’s going to put McCain anywhere.
Let’s hope that Hillary and McCain are both smart enough to decline these jobs in the unlikely event they are offered. Besides the obvious reasons of getting them out of the senate (McCain to appoint a Dem, Hillary to squash her 2012 ambitions?), I am sure Obama (or Axelrod – Obama’s brain?) has some other sneaky motives we are not devious enough to have thought of yet. Hillary and John M. should join forces in the Senate to keep an eye on this President and to be voices of reason, if necessary. They have both shown (unlike Obama) they they are willing to work across the aisle to get the job done.
Let’s see–an anonymous author writes an unsourced article speculating taht McCaon will be Secretary of Defense for a President who holds an opposite world view(and not just on Iraq.) And why not appoint Sarah Palin ans Secretary of the Interior?
This is the dumbest thing I have heard. You get more informed news from the National Enquirer.
I agree. This thread has become tin-foil hat central. People have lost all of their critical thinking skills of late. There is no conceivable way McCain will become SOD. Even the national enquirer wouldn’t touch a story like that.
You come on this blog with your high and mighty know it all comments
Why don’t you shove off if you don’t like them!!
Are you going to call the thought police? Seems like you are on a hate filled tirade of some kind. If you don’t like my comments than you could shove off just as well couldn’t you?
You seem very intolerant of those who disagree with you.
I have checked all the comments on this blog today and you get the prize for being the biggest condescending asshole..
Just thought you might want to know….
You seem very intolerant of those who disagree with you.
You have called me a “fool”, a “loser”, an “asshole”, and suggested that I am filled with hate because I think it is a dumb idea for McCain to become SOD. You have suggested that I should leave this board also.
And you said I called you a freeper yesterday. I have no idea what you are talking about.
And now you are stalking all of my comments and trying to intimidate the free expression of opinions that run counter to your own.
Look in the mirror. What do you see? You are behaving like an Obot. I am not saying you are an Obot. But you are behaving like one.
The very first comment you made on this blog today was a condescending remark to me.
“I can scarcely believe the adolescent naivete that is in full displayed by some on this board.”
If the shoe fits wear it!!!
Maybe you should examine the way you start off conversations.. I’m sure you have the same problems in real life also.
Winston,
Here is your comment from yesterday
There seems to be an irrational exuberance over the possibility that Hillary takes the SOS spot.
This board seems more like a cheer-leading section for Hillary with less concern for the country.
Hillary blew her chance to go above the fray by backing Obama and setting a new world record for campaign appearances for a former opponent.
“The Clinton white house is back in power?”
This is delusional thinking.
Let’s face it Winston..You’re petty with an axe to grind against Hillary who really doesn’t understand or have a grasp for politics
Please don’t turn this site into another juvenile MyDD.
settle, you need to cool your jets, readajust your thinking and stop living in utopia. there is no utopia and wistful thinking got into the hell of a mess we are in right now, Dude!
He’s on the
ragattack. He needs to cool off..Google “McCain Secretary of Defense” and see it is being reported by various blogs that McCain is meeting with Obama to discuss among other things the office of Secretary of Defense. No Quarter is not the only blog reporting this.
Actually, most of the blogs are citing this fantasy (I won’t dignify it as a “story”) as their source, so it is one big echo chamber.
There are plenty of real Democrats that Obama could appoint: Wesley Clak, William Perry, Sens. Jack Reed or Carl Levin,former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig, or former Deputy Defense Secretary John Hamre (both from the Clinton Administration.)
At least someone from the above list would be a better SecDef than the crotchety old man from Arixona.
I’d like to know what his “other hand” is doing? What does he not want us know while we are speculating? Can we all say wag the dog?
Some how I still cling to the thought that Hillary and McCain could do more from the floor of the Senate. Especilly if Hillary would become Majority Leader. They do not need to become part of the fiasco that is going to unfold in the next four years. They somehow represent the rational center.
Obama just does not have the experience to take over all command and some subset will be in control like it was whith Bush and the Neocons
I agree.
Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia Regarding Cabinet declining in relevance:
“Though the Cabinet is still an important organ of bureaucratic management, in recent years, the Cabinet has generally declined in relevance as a policy making body. Starting with President Franklin Roosevelt, the trend has been for Presidents to act through the Executive Office of the President or the National Security Council rather than through the Cabinet. This has created a situation in which non-Cabinet officials such as the White House Chief of Staff, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the National Security Advisor are now as powerful as or more powerful than some Cabinet officials.”
Yes. This provides some important perspective. Thanks.
Obama is doing this just to impress his followers. To have them say: “see? he is very generous and he is offering those jobs to these individuals that were his rivals”. BHO is a rat!
Actually, what Obama is saying is “see how bipartisan I am?”
It does also indicate a backtrack on his campaign promises. By constantly campaigning on the idea of change, he appoints Rahm Emmanuel, the most right-wing DINO you can get short of Zel Miller or Holy Joe, is keeping Robert Gates, and now reaching out to former adversaries in a cleverly stage-managed show to fool people.
Obama is classic scheister. He’s not a left-wing nut nor a Marxist, but a snake-oil salesman saying, and doing, whatever is necessary for his own self-advancement… in this respect, Obama is an Oreo and is really beginning to show his true colour.
Dollar-Bill Green.
It’s a ploy to get Sen McCain out of the senate.
I agree totally….I said this to my mother tonight…it makes him look like a great leader, unity leader…float the names, but oh, too bad, there’s something wrong with them…Get the glory, then ditch them..UGH
If Sen. McCain does this … I just don’t know what to say. Is Obama some kind of Svengalli?
He certainly seems to have everybody jumping through hoops, doesn’t he?
If JM becomes the next Sec Def, it would definitely improve my comfort level with the O admin.
I am posting this again just to make sure you read it.
Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia Regarding Cabinet declining in relevance:
“Though the Cabinet is still an important organ of bureaucratic management, in recent years, the Cabinet has generally declined in relevance as a policy making body. Starting with President Franklin Roosevelt, the trend has been for Presidents to act through the Executive Office of the President or the National Security Council rather than through the Cabinet. This has created a situation in which non-Cabinet officials such as the White House Chief of Staff, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the National Security Advisor are now as powerful as or more powerful than some Cabinet officials.”
You mean until he asks McCain to resign the minute McCain dares challenge dear leader?
Sorry, but this sounds insane to me!
John McCain and BO are polar opposites on Iraq and other defense issues…to think they could work together in this capacity is surreal!
Senator McCain has spent years bucking his party, Bush, Rumsfeld, and dems. He took the heat, for what? To sign on with an unqualified imposter?
Don’t think so, but I have missed a few other calls lately!
I agree. McCain is better off staying in the Senate where he could help keep his fellow senators from going off the cliff on the hard left.
Yes Sassy, it sounds nuts, but don’t you just love thinking about how the folks at Huffpoo & DailyKos are having fits over these rumors?
From what I’m reading (I can no longer post), HuffPo commentators really aren’t having fits at all. Any public questioning of The One is a sign of personal weakness which can never be tolerated.
They still ban people who even *remotely* critic their dear leader.
Makes me wonder if HuffPo readers are in Pyongyang or something…
Interesting. I can’t post on Fox when I raise issues about Rove’s lack of commitment to McCain and refusal to kickstart the Republican machine (that he created) to really help him.
Hillary and John, stay in the Senate and keep an eye on the economy and national security from that position of power! BHO is a spoiled, fragile, power hungry child who uses people and then tosses them aside if they truly challenge him.
McCain should be wary of that one. Serving under a compulsive liar would probably not suit McCain well.
Yep!
Axlerod and Soros would have John fired before he got back to the elevator!
Plus McCain is older, but I can’t believe he would be gullible enough to hire on with BO!
He was a star witness to Hillary’s treatment!
That would be a smooth move. McCain is replaced in the Senate by a democrat and 90 days later Hussein O replaces him as SOD with Osama B Laden. McCain is about stupid enough to go along with it.
Both McCain and Hillary have far more clout and leeway as Senators. Presidents often consult with members of the House and Senate without making them members of the Cabinet.
I think both Hillary and McCain should stay where they are and help craft legislation that will help the American people.
IMHO Obama realizes, that unlike Alice Palmer and his other opponents, he can’t just remove them.
So, if they work for Obama they serve at his pleasure.
In the Senate, they still work for their constituents.
I think they should both stay where they are.
I don’t believe McCain is stupid.
He didn’t sign on with Kerry, and they were long time friends.
He does not know BO at all, and probably doesn’t like what he has seen to date!
Obama is not offering SecDef to McCain, and if he does, McCain will not accept. This is stupid speculation.
I think this is just another scrap thrown out to keep everyone from thinking about real issues and focusing on what he might or might do with all of his power. My only worry is that both McCain and Clinton might be idealistic enough to think they could sway BO and his puppet masters away from some of their more damnable plans. Not likely, given what we know about him, and as several have said above, he just wants to get them out of the Senate and replace them with his own “strong believers”.
the only up side to me in all this is how unhappy the obots and lefties would be. that would almost be worth it to watch but not really.
This Lincoln nonsense is ridiculous. Our culture has become so superficial and immature, that Obama just has to “pretend” he is JFK, MLK, RFK, or Lincoln, and suddenly it is trumpeted as fact. If he wants to create a bipartisan cabinet–good–but as usual, the revenue, drama-hungry media is desperately spinning a story to sell. Obama HASN’T DONE ANYTHING YET! Lincoln was one of the greatest presidents we’ve ever had, and was a man of great wisdom, courage, and principle. Obama has not exhibited any depth of these qualities. Let’s keep things in perspective please.
Don’t buy the hype.
I spell a big huge rat someplace and the smell is not good for America.
We all knew none of his criticisms were the truth. Remember his lying NAFTA and health care flyers during the primaries, deliberately distributed even after independent organizations denounced them as smears? That’s always been the issue–he’s a hypocrite and a political opportunist. There is no bedrock principle that guides his decisions. He says what he has to say at each moment, but it is all for sale. He knew Hillary had extensive foreign policy knowledge. Is it an accident that over 200 flag officers endorsed her? He had to discredit her and diminish her because he had NONE. He also knew that John McCain was not Bush III, but had to sell that pitch to the American people, because his shallow life and political experience next to McCain’s is also obvious.
I do not trust him. He always has ulterior motives. Obama is about Obama.
Seattle Moss
BO is not a centrist but a left wing radical politician. The leaks about McCain and Clinton being in his cabinet are spin to take the pressure off his incompetence. If you look at his political record, BO always takes small steps to achieve his socialist goals. The others are correct that BO uses the ideas of other politicians. Stanley Kurtz’s articles about Obama are so true.
Excerpt from Kurtz’s article “What We Know About Obama”
“Obama is clever and pragmatic, it’s true. But his pragmatism is deployed on behalf of radical goals. Obama’s heart is, and will remain, with the Far Left. Yet he will surely be cautious about grasping for more, at any given moment, than the political traffic will bear. That should not be mistaken for genuine moderation. It will merely be the beginning stages of a habitually incremental radicalism.”……
Personally, I believe Obama’s “far left goals” are pretty much a far right construct. I’ve heard very little from the man himself suggesting anything other than a slightly-left-of-center agenda.
Believing that the status quo can and should be improved upon isn’t indicative of radicalism.
And about that status quo…
Some of the policies of the current administration do strike me as quite radical: The preemptive military invasion of a nation that hadn’t attacked us and had no capability to do so is one example; the publicization of private debt to bail out wealthy capitalist who made bad bets–all without fundamental oversights–is certainly another. Extraordinary rendition and torture of suspects seems like a fairly radical departure. So do secret military trials, where evidence obtained from people under physical and psychological duress is admissable.
Actually, it’s worse.
Look at his voting record on anything economic. He’s on the right.
He voted for Cheney’s Oil Bill.
He voted for “tort reform”.
He voted for “Say on Pay”.
Obama (and his handlers) haev fostered this idea of him being somehow a “progressive” while on all issues of economic substance, Obama sent signals to the economic elites they had nothing to fear from him.
Remember NAFTAgate. That one incident was such a potentially disasterous exposure of the real Obama that it required MSM help to avoid asking very basic questions about his history in order to maintain his “progressive” roots and support base.
For a while early on I wondered if the GOP wanted Obama. It seems that Rove helped. I will laugh my ass off if Obama isn’t really a right winger planted by the GOP. Damn that would be priceless. Since he is an NPD and already has the love of many dems, he will most likely do things to win the Repubs next.
Oh, please, let him do something to piss of his supporters major league!
cynic, you are so right.
Obama is trying to include Hillary Clinton and John Mcain IMHO BECAUSE HE HAS A BIRTH CERTIFICATE PROBLEM! This natural born citizenship problem for barack can be possibly rectified by a vote in the senate declaring him a natural born citizen. by bringing in Mcain AND Hillary he hopes to garner great sympathy and a secure voting bloc while simultaneously neutralizing American citizenry’s outrage regarding his untruthfulness regarding his status. including everyone into his administration he hopes to Cut off a disqualifying vote at the pass. … Just a theory, that’s all… P.S. the vote ON HIS CITIZENSHIP ISSUE would be BEFORE CLINTON AND MCAIN RESIGN FROM THEIR SENATE SEATS !
This sounds like something written in a far-fetched political novel. McCain as Secretary of Defense???
I tell you, if there’s any truth in this, we’ll see many, many heads explode on the Far Left, Progressive/Regressives. They’re already having a minor stroke over the HRC rumor [she’s a warmonger, they claim}. But McCain is a 180 degrees from where Obama said he was or would be.
I understood the meeting was to discuss immigration policy, something over which McCain caught bloody hell from his own party.
But SOD? Only in an alternative universe.
But who knows? I’ve been continuously astonished during this whole cycle.
Peggy Sue..
“I tell you, if there’s any truth in this, we’ll see many, many heads explode on the Far Left, Progressive/Regressives.”
and that would be so sweet would it not!!
That would indeed be sweet, Seattle, if this turns out to be the “change” the progs never expected or wanted. It would give me great satisfaction to see them choke on their own arrogance.
Of course, I’ll still remain amazed and confused. What is Obama up to???
But then, it could all be an idle rumor. Or a clever distraction.
But it is interesting!
Hillary for Sec State, McCain for Sec Def. Who’s next? Steve Forbes for Sec Treas?
Palin for Secretary of Energy.
But he could mess that one up (and thus reveal his misogynist card yet again) by offering her the job of Secretary to the POTUS.
Trixta..I think you’re on to something!!
Sarah has said that she could play a role if asked..
Perfect position for Sarah along with T-Bone
Actually, I was being sarcastic. (Usually, my posts are more foul-mouthed than the above post, so if the snark didn’t come through then it is my failure as a writer.)
Are you referring to T-Bone Pickens?
mccain will never be s of d in any obama administration. and the chances of hillary being s of s is about as good as her being veep. it is not going to happen. games, folks! let’s play washington poker. the public loses every time. and you wistful thinkers need to acquire criticial thinking skills, that is sorely lacking in this country and helped put us in the mess we are in right now.
The O-bots don’t get upset at anything The One says, so they’ll just take another sip of Kool-Aid and chill. And, after all, Bobo promised to bring everyone together. He can at least give the appearance of this by appointing old rivals and a diverse group of individuals as key advisors. Up till now, he’s shown no ability to think decisively beyond the usual Chicago mob. His associates who have gotten press have been so flawed and gaffe-prone that the whole affair reads like a bad novel. Does he expect to get along in D.C. behaving like a Chi-Town gangster? This affirmative-action stuff is going to wear thin real quickly, and noses of the upper crusties are going to start rising in the air. (Wonder what Ogreman and ilk will sputter if he chooses Hillary?!)
Oh my goodness, I’ve been been locked out of NQ forever! Anyway, if this posts, I’m back in.
McCain in the DOD slot ultimately does not make sense. McCain is still fighting the Vietnam War and does not have the mental tools to do what is needed. Strategy requires the U.S. to roll out of Iraq as quickly and cleanly as possible. McCain is too wedded to the idea of “Victory.” He can not give a definition of the term or a coherent policy to reach his stated goal. His was a W like intention to stay the course in Iraq, that is to never ever leave. McCain never quite understood that occupying Iraq was not the same thing as staying Japan after WW II. He was also far to wedded to using war as a first option and not the last. While this may be an acceptable position for a SecDef, it does not dovetail well with Obama’s more nuanced position on National Security.
In one respect most NQ posters are correct, McCain at DOD is a recipe for disaster for the Senator from Arizona. His explosive personality and bellicosity would practically ensure him leaving within 24 months. He would be constantly trying to outshine his grandfather and father in the role. He would constantly overreach. His belief that he is the only honorable man in the room would quickly alienate his colleges and the administration. McCain would self-destruct as SecDef. Neither the nation nor BHO wants to watch that particular drama. If BHO wants him out of the way he can appoint him to the magistrate at Pago-Pago or some such. There are plenty of rest homes in the government for McCain to quietly fade away in.
Where McCain helps is in cutting out the Military deadwood. McCain may be handed the baton on that front. There are numerous DOD procurement programs that need to be terminated. There are weapons systems that are white elephants on steroids. One ship-building program is on average 91 months behind on delivery. McCain provides Obama cover for cutting the DoD down to size. McCain as a special czar for cutting waste, fraud, and abuse makes sense. If someone like McCain comes out and says ” The Osprey program is dead, we are moving to something that works and cost less” the Marine Corps will most likely have to snap to attention and kill the program. Ditto for the other non-functioning bloat in the DOD budget.
McCain has shown much enthusiasm and some success in trimming away military pork. He also has a perch in the Senate to accomplish this mission. With McCain supporting defense cuts Republicans will have a much tougher time claiming that Obama is just a typical weak on security Democrat.
Of course Republicans will hate him even more for that. McCain though would be more than happy with that situation. For the last eight years he has had to kow-tow to parts of the right wing. McCain no longer needs the Bushies he is, after eight years, his own man. McCain is once again liberated; just like he was over thirty years ago when he left Vietnam.
Maverick McCain 3.0 is now in beta; look for full release sometime after January 20,2009. Look for MM 3.0 to do some major shredding of the Republican caucus; which is why BHO will let him stay in the Senate. McCain in an Obama administration is no real benefit; BHO already has a highly regarded Republican at DoD. McCain tear-assing around the Republican Caucus; that is a thing of beauty to a BHO administration. BHO gets to glide over the bruised, battered and broken bodies of the Elephants and does not even have to lift a finger. McCain is already primed and ready to go all BHO has to do is give McCain the coordinates.
McCain’s Republican opponents will be in quite a pickle; after building him up as an All American hero and defender of God, Guts and Guns they can’t turn around and call him a pinko. Well they can try but it will make them look shabby and ridiculous. Even if they return to mumbling about how his POW experience may have unglued him ( yes it was done before and by Republicans) that will still call into question why they let McCain be their standard bearer.
Look for McCain to get the DOD procurement brief from BHO. McCain gets to have major input into BHO’s policy in this regard and BHO gets cover fire from McCain when he brings the recommendations to the fore. Look for lots of pressers that features a happy Obama and a happy McCain reaching across the aisle whilst Republican (and some Democratic) Senators in the shot smile but secretly seethe. Look for the nation to come out the big winner as pointless and wasteful defense department procurement programs finally get axed.
I’m thinking about now that having some cabinet members who know what they’re doing sounds good. If Obama has enough insight to consider Hillary good on him.Of course I didn’t vote for the guy and don’t trust him at all so who knows. I do trust that Hillary will work for the good of our country either in the cabinet or for lucky New Yorkers.I’m with Seattle Moss in not underestimating Hillary’s considerable strength and stature.I really don’t ascribe much to the notion that Obama will ruin her future in any way shape or form.I still wish she were taking the oath in January because she would have been a wonderful president for all of us.
“Is Obama considering McCain for Secretary of Defense in order to make McCain’s Senate seat available to Janet Napolitano? Is this how Obama will secure a supermajority in the US Senate?”
That said it all.
I hope Senator McCain does not accept the post, if it is offerred. It would be stabbing the Republican party in the back.
I believe Arizona law requires that any appointment must be from the same party as the resigning Senator so it wouldn’t make any difference if McCain left the Senate.
I don’t think McCain should accept the position of Secretary of Defense. He should remain in the Senate just like Hillary should remain in the Senate. They can both maintain their independence in the Senate.
We need some strong personalities in the Senate to counterbalance the executive branch. We don’t want the Senate to become a rubber stamp for whatever Obama wants.
Also I have never believed Obama is far left. He plays to whatever political wind is blowing. Putting McCain and Hillary in the Cabinet puts them both right under his thumb.
While this is laudable, it does reveal Obama’s acute awareness of his lack knowledge of matters of foreign policy and defense. It also reveals that Obama never truly believed the criticisms he leveled against McCain during the general election.
Notwithstanding your “source,” Chicagoan, your premise is ludicrous; Obama isn’t considering McCain for a Cabinet slot. It’s not even a decent guess, mate.
As for Hillary as SoS… here’s what I don’t get about the critique I see in NQ that goes “this reveals Obama’s awareness of his lack of knowledge on foreign policy.” Do you think it would reflect better on Obama as a leader to pick a less impressive Secretary of State?
Get my point, friendo? How the hell would it count against Obama to hire a qualified candidate such as Hillary Clinton?
Well, well, well, isn’t he just going after the moderates to get them out of the senate? Crap. I like this idea, but we are talking about BO, the token black POTUS, and we cannot trust him.
But I have said before, no one really cares what we think and whatever will happen will happen. I do think Clinton and Mccain are way too smart to be fooled by BO, but….
But I have said before, no one really cares what we think and whatever will happen will happen.
You’re finally starting to catch on, Clem!
McCain’s appointment would mean a Democratic Super-Majority in the Senate– This is a “Nightmare Scenario”
Sen. McCain would never take the SecDef position in an Obama administration. He would rather go back and spend additional years at the Hanoi Hilton! John McCain wouldnt work for a Marxist, anti American, anti military charlatan!!
WoW Obama as Dictator…Obama has never done anything Honorable…what is wrong with some of you folks? Will the Republicans ever grow up?
Obama will not ask McCain to be SOD…he simply wants to seek reconciliation and his support (since repugs have thrown him under the bus) and talk about areas which they may agree.
In our current crisis…the “team of rivals” approach will work; Americans in this generation have never seen anything like it (it will be proof positive of change in Washington.)
Please Read the following slowly and often…
We need unification, not division to solve the major problems facing America…It can not be business as usual.
Mr. “Whatever It Takes” just want to ‘fix up the country’ with the help of “Whoever It Takes”, that’s all. No offer for the position of SOS.
The suggestion that Obama would offer the Secretary of Defense position to McCain (or that McCain would accept it) is completely ludicrous. Remember all the talk before the election about the transition team and how well prepared they were? That they essentially had the cabinet appointments lined up? Obama knows who he is going to appoint, and it isn’t McCain to Defense (or Clinton to State for that matter). The fact that Obama hasn’t named any important appointments other than Emmanuel suggests that he is deliberately fueling the fire with talk about how “transformative” he is in terms of who he is considering for his Cabinet. When he actually announces — and I am sure that his appointments will come mostly from the Clinton administration — he will appear to have vetted and considered so many when in fact he had not.
Don’t get drawn in to the media fluff.
I think Hillary will be SoS.
I am, ready and willing, to be wrong.
But I think that’s the decision.
(and it’s a good one)
Have you seen the video from the BHO/JMC meeting? BHO looks so full of himself, with his legs crossed in a not so elegant way… Can’t stand this ugly character…
Also, have you noticed the change in the make-up of the president-elected? Now he has his lips looking a la Angelina. I can assure you that his make-up artist is using a lip liner.
Since they’re foreign policy ideas are almost exact opposite I would hope not.
Homeland Security – maybe
Sec of Defense – I would hope not
If Obama wants to mess up Karl Rove and put a hole in his strategy for 2012, he couldn’t do better than appoint John McCain Secretary of Defense. Of course there are also excellent reasons to do that–for one, the military establishment trusts him and would find it easy to take policy changes filtered through him. But there would be such satisfaction in messing up Rove’s engineering. KR chose W, now he wants to come back with JEB, after a disastrous Obama first term. Many would chuckle to watch Obama sweep away the liberal half of the Republican party by appointing McCain and making the 2012 strategy a pipe dream.
General Wesley Clark, is the most brilliant military man on the planet. General Clark would make an outstanding SOD. McCain has done nothing to support veterans, so therefore, he should never be considered for the job of SOD. Since Robert Gates downgraded a Marine’s Medal of Honor to the Navy Cross and refused to restore full mail priveleges at APO’s, to military retirees residing overseas, I recommend Robert Gates be let go the same day President Obama takes office.