Team of Rivals, Redux
Last October, a fascinating book was released called Team of Rivals, The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. The tome details how Lincoln, defying conventional political wisdom, turned his opponents for the Republican nomination into one of the finest Cabinets this country has ever had.The one thing that our polarized electorate seems to agree upon is that these are perilous times. As we look towards the presidential race of 2008, I would like to submit that the Republican Party has a unique opportunity to revive this genius of Lincoln, and unify both themselves and this nation under an ensemble Administration of competent, experienced leadership.
The Republican contest is fast boiling down to a three-way race between Arizona Senator John McCain, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Each of these men would make a great President, and in the coming months I will be making a personal decision regarding which to support for the nomination. But regardless of whoever delivers the acceptance speech in St. Paul, each of the other two could and should play an important role in the next administration.
John McCain would be a natural and exceptional pick for Secretary of Defense. His credible voice in military matters would be extremely beneficial in an Administration headed by either a former Mayor or former Governor, especially in a time of war.
Mitt Romney, whose skilled leadership on the issue of healthcare in Massachusetts has earned him national recognition and attention, would be a fine pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services, where he could tackle the nation’s chief domestic issue: our aging and faltering entitlement system.
Rudy Giuliani’s experience as a U.S. Attorney and 9/11 Mayor of New York would serve him well as either Attorney General or Secretary of Homeland Security.
I hope that there is a spirited, but cordial, contest between these three men over the next two years. America – and the Republican Party – wins no matter who comes out victorious.
posted by grand old partisan at
11/22/2006
2 Comments:
If you've read the book then you know that among the rivals Lincoln included in his cabinet were democrats like Edwin M. Stanton. The genius of Lincoln was that he drew advice from people of varying points of view. The exact opposite of what republican party and this administration doing these days.
By
Anonymous, at 29/11/06 10:21 AM
I have read the book, and you are right - Stanton was a member of the Democratic Party. But his views varied very little from the Republicans. He was anti-slavery and anti-seccession, which were to two most important issues dividing the parties at the time.
It would be like saying that if Bush appointed Lieberman Sec Def, he would be drawing advice from people of varying viewpoints.
By
grand old partisan, at 29/11/06 2:38 PM
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