Reporting for Duty: The Presidency of John Kerry and Onwards.

[LoneStarDem]

Holy-! Dino Rossi actually won something!

I saw that LOL. I'm assuming the WA St Dems will pull a Mitch McConnell & make Rossi's life Hell during his tenure in the WA St Governor's Mansion.

[LoneStarDem]

Kerry in the White House means the Dems lose VA & NJ in 2005 & get spanked in the Governorships in 2006.

[LoneStarDem]

The Kerry Cabinet

Secretary of State.

Richard Holbrooke was one of the leading contenders for the role of Secretary of State from the get-go, due to his history as a Deputy Secretary of State and UN Ambassador during the Clinton administration. His nomination sailed through the Senate without any serious opposition on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Confirmed by the Senate on a roll call vote by a margin of 97-3, Holbrooke has already conducted three overseas trips just four months into the Kerry administration focusing on strengthening ties with the NATO partners in Iraq, combating climate change, and isolating and sanctioning rogue regimes like that in Iraq or North Korea.

Secretary of the Treasury

Jim Johnson had years of experience as a corporate executive and Democratic Party bungler. His career began as an executive assistant to Vice President Walter Mondale, which bolstered his public policy chomps. He later served as the CEO of Fannie Mae, before retiring in 1998. Known as one of President Kerry’s most trusted supporters, having chaired both the Vice Presidential selection and the transition effort post-election. Kerry had enjoyed a long friendship with the former Fannie Mae CEO, though there were serious obstacles heading into the confirmation process. Upon his nomination, news dropped that had awarded himself large bonuses worth millions of dollars. Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was viciously opposed to Johnson’s nomination, but ultimately his nomination was decided in a roll-call vote of 54-46.

Secretary of Defense

With America at war on fronts in Afghanistan and Iraq, Sam Nunn's selection as Secretary of Defense was probably the most well received nomination to the cabinet, and he quickly sailed through the Senate Armed Services Committee before being confirmed via a unanimous consent motion by his former colleagues. Nunn now faces the daunting challenge of being charged with first the stabilization and then withdrawal of American forces from Iraq. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate, which voted 95-0 in favor.

Attorney General

Eric Holder, the former Deputy Attorney General under President Clinton, was named to the Justice Department's top job after Jamie Gorelick withdrew her name from consideration. Gorelick, having been swept up in controversy due to her role in the Fannie Mae bonus controversy that also threatened to sweep up Treasury Secretary-designee Jim Johnson. Eric Holder, who ironically succeeded Gorelick as Deputy Attorney General, was instead nominated. Though he faced some opposition from Republicans on the Judiciary Committee who used controversial past statements to paint him as a radical, he ultimately made it through the Republican controlled Senate by 51-49, after Senators Collins (R-ME), Snowe (R-ME), and Bob Bennett (R-UT) defect in support of his nomination.

Secretary of the Interior

The department of the Interior traditionally has been headed by relatively non-controversial Secretaries. This was a tradition that Kerry continued when he nominated Tim Wirth, who represented Colorado in the Senate from 1987-1993. Afterwards he had served first as Chief Counsel of the State Department and then as a Deputy Secretary of State under Bill Clinton. Wirth’s experience both in the bureaucracy and the Senate made him an ideal choice for President Kerry. The new Secretary has indicated that combating global warming and climate change is his main priority. The Senate voted 60-40 in favor of his nomination, with a number of moderate Republicans led by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) crossing the aisle to support him.

Secretary of Agriculture

As Governor of Iowa, a state in which agriculture is a dominant part of their economy, Tom Vilsack was the leading candidate to head up the Agriculture Department from the moment President Kerry was declared President-elect. A moderate Democrat, Vilsack is reasonably amendable to Republicans and has wide support among the National Union of Farmers and the American Farm Bureau Federation. He was confirmed by a motion of unanimous consent.

Secretary of Commerce

The first Asian American ever nominated to serve in the cabinet, former Washington Governor Gary Locke was a popular choice among the Democrats, and did not particularly stir the pot among the Republicans due to his more moderate stances and willingness to work with Republicans to spur economic growth. Locke, who has been touted as a future Presidential candidate, was expected to seek a fourth term in 2004, but ultimately did not do so. He was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 80-20.

Secretary of Labor

Richard Gephardt had a lengthy career in Congress and had made two ganders at the Presidency in 1988 and later in 2004. Once a leading contender for the nomination, Gephardt’s campaign fell flat and he was forced to withdraw after a poor showing in Iowa. As Minority Leader in the House, Gephardt has forgone the chance to perhaps become Speaker in order to seek the grander prize, which has left a bitter taste in some Senators’ mouths. With strong support of the labor unions, Gephardt’s selection is a sign that the Kerry administration will take a decidedly pro-labor voices. His nomination was approved by the Senate by a 55-45 vote.

Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The selection of Howard Dean to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services was the result of the 2004 campaign. Dean, who had bitterly fought both President Kerry and the Secretary of Labor Dick Gephardt, was the face of healthcare reform and the leader of the progressive wing of the party. The decision to appoint Dean in the wake of the failed Daschle nomination has resulted in the party unifying itself after a moderately divisive primary season. His confirmation hearings and subsequent confirmation by the Senate (by a 52-48 margin) were the most widely watched due to Senator Clinton's efforts to implement healthcare reform.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Ron Sims, the King County Executive who replaced incoming Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in office, will be joining him as the second Washingtonian to earn a seat in the Kerry cabinet. Presiding over the largest city in Washington, his expertise on housing policy led to him being a frontrunner for the post. There is some speculation that he will only serve out the next two or three years in office before running for Governor against incumbent Republican Dino Rossi in 2008. He was confirmed by a motion of unanimous consent.

Secretary of Transportation

Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald was the first and only choice President Kerry had in mind for the position of Secretary of Transportation. Millender-McDonald, in her capacity as Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee and had previously chaired the Congressional Black Caucus. A centrist with a considerable amount of policy chops, Millender-McDonald maintained strong personal relations with many other members of Congress, regardless of party. This made her an attractive choice in Kerry’s eyes, and she was confirmed by a motion of unanimous consent.

Secretary of Energy

Ed Markey, a longtime Congressman who was one of the many “Watergate Babies” elected in 1974 and 1976, has been an ally of President Kerry for over three decades. Though he was initially considered a strong contender for President Kerry’s vacant Senate seat in the scheduled special election, his appointment to the cabinet dashed these efforts. A staunch believer in alternative energy, Markey’s selection is hailed by environmentalists and liberal activists. He was confirmed by the Senate 59-41.

Secretary of Education

A former teacher turned State Senator and later, Governor, Jeanne Shaheen was speculated to be a Vice Presidential contender for the 2000 and 2004 Democratic nominees. While she was passed over twice for the position, her experience in education made her an ideal choice for the President’s transition team. A competent and likable Governor, Shaheen had made an unsuccessful Senate bid 2002 and may only stay at the Education Department long enough to keep her profile relevant. Though many Republicans were skeptical of some of the administration's proposals, Shaheen was widely respected back in New Hampshire and in Washington, and ultimately was easily confirmed by a vote of 91-9.

Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs:

Max Cleland was the logical choice for President Kerry’s cabinet. The Vietnam veteran had given his legs for the country, and was willing to do so much more. His term in the Senate was eventful, but short lived. His attempt to hold the seat in 2002 resulted in one of the nastiest campaigns in American history, with his Republican rival Saxby Chambliss contrasting him to Saddam Hussein due to his more pragmatic and moderate stance on Iraq – even though Cleland himself voted for the Iraq Resolution that authorized the invasion. None the less, the rhetoric and tone of the 2002 Senate race was enough to endear Cleland to Democrats across the country. The Senate voted 100-0 in a roll call vote, with even Senator Chambliss endorsing his nomination.

Secretary of Homeland Security

The newest addition to the cabinet, the Department was created in the wake of 9/11 to coordinate anti-terrorist operations. Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) was selected for this post specifically due to her counter-terrorism work in Congress as well as her expertise on foreign and defense policy issues. Her selection also mutes criticism from feminist activists who claimed Kerry was too overwhelmingly white and male. She was confirmed by a roll call vote of 77-23.

I believe Mineta was the first Asian American to serve in Presidential Cabinet serving under Clinton & Bush, Jr.,

Plus: When did Locke get elected WA St Governor ? I noticed you mentioned "4th term" ? 1992 ?

[LoneStarDem]

Wednesday, June 1st, 2005: The Healthy Children and Families Act clears the 23-19; all the Democrats plus five Republicans (Nancy Johnson of CT, Jim Ramstad of MN, Phil English of PA, Jerry Weller of IL, and surprisingly, David Camp of MI) vote in favor of the bill. It now advances to the House floor for wider debate.
Friday, June 3rd, 2005: Another controversy surrounding the prison at Guantanamo Bay, this time involving the desecration of the Qurans. President Kerry begins weighing a plan to permanently close the facility, fearing that it has become a propaganda tool for Islamist insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Monday, June 6th, 2005: As Republican opposition to the Healthy Children and Families Act grows, Americans for Prosperity and FreedomWorks announce a planned march on DC on July 4th to protest what they claim is a "government takeover" of the various state's healthcare policies.
Tuesday, June 7th, 2005: A libertarian rally featuring Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) and former Libertarian Presidential candidate Michael Badnarik against the proposed Healthy Children and Families Act gains international attention after several doctors throw medical equipment such as scalpels into the port of Galveston, TX. They were acting in protest of the medical device tax which would fund the Medicaid expansion implemented by the Health Children and Families Act, and the event is contemptuously dubbed "the Galveston Tea Party" by HBO's Bill Mahrer. The name sticks.

Primaries in New Jersey are held ahead of the off-year gubernatorial election. On the Democratic side, Senator Jon Corzine is nominated without opposition, while State Senator Tom Kean Jr. only narrowly defeats Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan 52-48% in the Republican primary.
Wednesday, June 8th, 2005: Rumors spread across Zimbabwe claiming that authoritarian President Robert Mugabe is dead following a hard attack. So prevalent are the rumors online that the country briefly shuts down internet access before Mugabe is forced to make a public appearance to dispel these reports before any unrest can ferment.
Friday, June 10th, 2005: In an hour long interview on CNN's Larry King Live, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) defends the administration's efforts to expand the Children's Health Insurance Plan. She encourages viewers to flood the phones on capitol hill in the coming weeks to show support for the plan. When asked by King whether or not she thought Kerry was too politically timid, Clinton answers only that it is "up to the President."
Saturday, June 11th, 2005: The G8 announces that it will cancel the debt of the world's eighteen poorest countries in the hopes of boosting economic growth in countries like Haiti, the Congo, the Central African Republic, and Somalia.
Monday, June 13th, 2005: Pop superstar Michael Jackson is acquitted on all charges of child sexual abuse; Jackson was accused of molesting several young boys.
Tuesday, June 14th, 2005: Primaries are held in Virginia; both Lt. Governor Tim Kaine and Attorney General Jerry Kilgore are both nominated by their respective parties for Governor.

Theresa

Wednesday, June 15th, 2005.

7:25 AM, Washington, DC.

Theresa Kerry was a relatively popular, if slightly withdrawn First Lady. This was by design; a direct and outspoken woman, Theresa was sometimes prone to getting carried away. During the campaign, she had criticized Laura Bush for not having "a real job" in her lifetime (Bush had been a teacher and librarian), which caused severe and long lasting damage to her reputation. The irony of the story was that Bush was not at all offended, and the incident led to a mutually sincere friendship.

Theresa had lived her life in Washington, but her story was much more interesting than most political wives. She had been born in Portuguese East Africa, now known as Mozambique and married Heinz heir John Heinz, who later went on to serve in the Senate. Before her marriage, she worked as an interpreter at the UN. Being moderate Republicans, the two devoted to themselves to a number of causes until his untimely death in a plane crash. His estate left her with a fortune that ma have been worth upwards to $1.4 billion, which she used liberally to fund her second husband's political efforts over the years.

Still, Heinz-Kerry, despite her lengthy involvement on the Washington scene, simply couldn't shake off the "rich bitch" image. Though she was not as widely loathed among Republicans like Hillary Clinton, Heinz-Kerry's Bush gaffe hung over her head into her first year as First Lady. During the campaign, many aides warned that her no-nonsense approach to politics might cost the Senator votes. It was simply who she was. It couldn't be changed. But it could be weaponized in reverse, and by the six month mark of the inauguration, she decided it was time to make the best of an increasingly bad situation.

So she went on tour. She spoke bluntly and truthfully at political events, including a rally in favor of the Clinton-Tauscher healthcare plan, endearing her to the American people after a rocky honeymoon. A focus group conducted by Frank Luntz during a braodcast of Hannity and Colmes of conservatives showed a surprising amount of understanding. "I like her more than Hillary" said one woman, "because she actually speaks her mind instead of just pretending too." Another agreed; "she's a strong woman."

It was set to be just another boring profile on yet another First Lady. A tour of the White House, a sampling of the fine china, and a quick visit to the kitchen before displaying the art in the Green Room, etc, etc. It was supposed to be no different from Laura Bush's work with the "Save Our History" program or Jackie Kennedy's televised White House tours. But Theresa had other ideas.

"It feels really....really guilty sometimes" she said to NBC's fawning Katie Couric, "because we live in the people's house, and many people don't live in a house at all." Pressed on healthcare, she didn't bat an eye. "If you're against the Tauscher plan" she claimed, "than you really need to rethink your definition of common sense." Addressing Senator Clinton's criticisms of the President's relative disengagement from the healthcare battle, she bitterly (and slyly) replies that the President "takes his time", and doesn't want "a half-baked spectacle."

In a not so distant part of town, a certain Illinois Senator watched the interview with his wife. "I'm glad I don't have to pick sides in this."
Thursday, June 16th, 2005: While touring a Naval shipyard in southeast Virginia, President Kerry tells reporters that he repealing and replacing the Bush tax cuts is "our next big project."
Friday, June 17th, 2005: An anonymous tip is delivered to Scotland Yard, warning of a plot by several Al Qaeda militants operating in a London cell are planning a series of attacks in the UK. This intel, verified by the CIA, falls on deaf ears in Britain.
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005: A federal judge orders the deportation of ex-Nazi concentration camp guard John Demjunjuk. He immediately appeals the ruling.
Friday, June 24th, 2005: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is elected President of Iran; the hard-line Mayor of Tehran is reportedly the favored candidate of the Ayatollah, and is fiercely anti-Israel.

Let me guess. The Kerry's are going to pull a Nancy Reagan & calling the White House "a fire trap", move out & live in Boston during the remainder of Kerry's Presidency ?

Funny if it happened.

[LoneStarDem]

I think Kilgore is the GOP nominee for VA Governor in 2005 (like he was in real life)... only to lose to LG Kaine in the GE.

[LoneStarDem]

Looking forward to seeing more because I take it the GOP ups the ante against weakling Kerry in the 2006 Midterms & beyond.

[LoneStarDem]

POTUS Kerry getting 1, maybe 2 appointments to SCOTUS.

This TL getting juicier.