Without putting the cart before the horse too far (we still have to win first), it's as good a time as any to take another look at what a future Obama cabinet might look like. After all, with a President Obama (how I love typing that!) seeming like a virtual certainty, it's time to play Washington's hot new parlor game: Pick a Cabinet!

 

 A few ground rules to my picks:

I've tried to exclude sitting Senators and Representatives as best I can, since I don't think it's a good idea to steal talent from those areas when equally capable people can be found elsewhere. I also tried to remove candidates who might be looking at running for higher office in 2010, like Kathleen Sebelius and Tom Vilsack. 

I also tried to knock out “rock star” picks, since it's unlikely those people would want to serve in the cabinet, when they have such cool day jobs.

Sec. of State: John Kerry (sitting MA Sen., '04 Presidential candidate)

There is one major event that has changed what is needed of the Secretary of State: the selection of Joe Biden as VP. Joe Biden, as VP, will carry most of the administration's foreign policy weight and often act as de facto Sec. of State. The biggest requirement of the Sec. of State is now someone who can work well with Joe. John Kerry and Joe Biden have been friends and allies from way back, in a way that other candidates for the job (Bill Richardson, Chuck Hagel, Dick Lugar, Richard Holbrooke, etc.) just can't match.

Sec. of Treasury: Laura Tyson (prof. UC Berkeley, economist, fmr. Council of Economic Advisers chair)

Without a doubt, this is the most critical position in the first Obama cabinet. Laura Tyson fulfills the most important requirements of the job as it stands now. She has gravitas, high qualifications, and isn't hamstrung by excessive ties to Wall Street. However, she does have just enough ties to Wall Street and the government to be effective while still being a new face, which sets her apart from other candidates who are either too academic (Austan Goolsbee) or too Clintonista (Robert Rubin).

Sec. of Defense: Robert Gates (current Sec. of Defense)

It may seem unlikely that Obama would keep anyone on from the current administration, much less someone in a key position like this. But at the same time, it makes sense. Obama is a stated believer in the “team of rivals” style of government, and Gates has done a more than capable job as defense secretary thus far. All indications are that Gates would do a good job executing Obama's exit strategy as well as any other candidate.

And speaking of other candidates, his options are limited. The SecDef must be retired from his/her military role for at least ten years. Given that the last wave of retirees (including Wes Clark and Anthony Zinni) retired at the end of the Clinton administration in 2000, there are few choices. Ret. Gen. Merril McPeak, my former pick, comes to mind–but his age (72) may keep him out of the running.

The most likely scenario involves Gates staying on only until sometime in 2010, when the wave of Clinton retirees will be available to pick from. 

Attorney General: Jennifer Granholm (MI Governor, fmr. MI Atty. Gen.)

It's going to take a strong personality and a capable hand to clean up the Ashcroft/Gonzales mess. Granholm is just that person. Her recent role as Sarah Palin stand-in for Biden's debate prep shows that she is on the campaign radar. Her only obstacle is her dismal approval rating, but politics is full of second careers.

Sec. of the Interior: Tony Knowles (fmr. AK governor, '08 endorser)

Tony Knowles, former Alaska governor would be a solid pick to clean up the problems in the scandal ridden department. The biggest bonus with this pick is that he would be in a strong position to protect ANWR. The fact that this pick would be a thumb in Sarah Palin's eye is just a bonus.

Sec. of Agriculture: Patty Judge (fmr. IA Sec. of Agriculture, IA Lt. Gov.)

I'm sticking by my pick of Patty Judge for this position. She's not perfect by a long shot, but I think she'll be the pick. Tom Vilsack or Kathleen Sebelius would be good picks here, but I think they've got their eyes on Senate seats. Judge is a solid, non-controversial pick that adds some gender balance to the cabinet. Not the best, but not the worst.

Sec. of Commerce: Robert Reich (fmr. Labor Sec.)
Before the Financial Crisis, I had thought of the Secretary of Commerce position as little more than a figurehead position. But now, it seems that it could be one of the major positions in the cabinet. Together with the Sec. of Labor and the Treasury Sec., it could form the “third leg” of the Obama administration's recovery team.

Reich represents a solid pick for any of the three economic cabinet positions, and I have no doubt he'll end up at one of those posts.

Sec. of Labor: David Bonior (fmr. MI Rep)

Admittedly, the further we move into the lesser known cabinet positions, the more I rely on the ideas of others. Across the blogosphere, Bonior seems to be a consensus pick. A feisty Democrat (he filed 75 ethics charges against Newt Gingrich), and a well-known politico (John Edwards' campaign manager), Bonior seems like a good choice in a position that will become more and more important if and when unemployment continues to rise.

Sec. of HHS: David Satcher (fmr. Surgeon General, fmr. Assistant Sec. of Health,)

The secretary of health position seems to be a favorite for those who look to fill the cabinet with “rock stars”. In various places, I've seen Howard Dean, Hillary Clinton and Kathleen Sebelius all floated for the job. The truth is, they already have way cooler jobs than Secretary of HHS. However, there is no one more qualified for the job and ready to take it than David Satcher, former Assistant Sec. of Health, and Surgeon General under both Clinton and Bush. As an added bonus, Satcher adds some needed diversity to the cabinet.

Sec. of HUD: Eleanor Holmes Norton (Cong. delegate, Washington D.C.)

Eleanor Holmes Norton is a long time Dem with a long resume and a long list of connections. Also, and more importantly, she seems to be the only person under consideration for the job who isn't being investigated or gunning for a higher office. 

Sec. of Transportation: Doris Matsui (CA rep, mem. House Transportation Cmte.)

Doris Matsui has been a marvel of low-key but very necessary jobs. She sits on the House Rules Committee, the House Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, and the Smithsonian Board of Regents. I'm confident she would do very well in this position.

Sec. of Energy: Maria Cantwell (sitting WA Sen.)

Maria Cantwell is an underrated rising star. However, she's kind of stuck right now. And, as Bill Richardson has shown, Secretary of Energy can be a stepping stone to higher places. Plus, as a charismatic, young politician (yes, 50 is young in politics), she would be a good person to have on standby should anything happen (God forbid) to Vice President Biden.

Sec. of Education: Stephanie Pace Marshall (Pres. Illinois Math and Science Academy)

You may not have heard of her, but Barack Obama has. She's the leading figure on education issues in Illinois and one of the leading figures on education nationally. Also, it's not like Secretary of Education is a big glory position. But at least she won't get smoked on Celebrity Jeopardy.

Sec. of Veterans Affairs: Tammy Duckworth (IL Dir of Veterans Affairs, Iraq War veteran)

How better could Obama convey his support of Iraq War veterans than by appointing one as the Secretary of Veteran Affairs? Also, there is nobody more qualified or better suited to reforming the VA system than she.

Sec of Homeland Security: Richard Clarke (fmr. Counter-Terrorism head, '08 advisor)

There is absolutely nobody more qualified on issues of homeland security than Richard Clarke. This pick seems like a “gimme”.

And one extra prediction:

UN Ambassador: Caroline Kennedy (attorney, author, Kennedy)

Joe Biden and John Kerry (or whoever gets the nod for Secretary of State) will cover most of the diplomatic heavy lifting, allowing President Obama to appoint someone to this post charged with improving America's image, not making big diplomatic moves.