Possible Romney Cabinet Picks, Part II: Commerce, Interior, Transportation
- Posted on August 30, 2012 at 8:43am by
Mytheos Holt
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Part II of a series on Mitt Romney’s potential cabinet appointments. Read Part I of the series (Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs) here.
On Wednesday, we brought you the first part of a series on who Mitt Romney might pick as his presidential cabinet for three of the lesser-known but still relevant cabinet positions. Now, we dive a little deeper, taking a look at a few medium-level posts that are still likely to attract genuinely high-profile figures to serve in them – namely, the people who Romney could select to fill his Departments of Commerce, the Interior, and Transportation.
Each of these has implications for Romney’s agenda, with his Commerce pick being able to define the White House’s approach to new technology, including the expansion of internet access, while the Interior Department pick would signal a Romney attitude on the environment, and Transportation would give us a window into his thinking on how to maintain the country’s infrastructure.
As with the last article, we have broken down the contenders for these positions into three categories – the safe choice, the exciting choice, and the wild card, with arguments for and against each. In some cases, these are names that have already been floated. In others, they will be people who have been missed, but are still relevant. It should also be noted that some of the names listed here may appear twice, or on other forthcoming lists, given that their expertise qualifies them equally well for multiple positions. More to the point, a daring, exciting choice in a larger department could well be a safe choice in a smaller one, and far be it from us to ignore potential permutations.
So without further ado, here are the results:
Secretary of Commerce
Kay Bailey Hutchison
The safe choice: Former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Why? Hutchison’s retirement leaves her former post as ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee vacant. What’s more, there‘s no need to fill Hutchison’s seat, given that the election to fill that seat is also this year (hence Ted Cruz’s likely victory). As a charismatic, relatively moderate female official with years of experience covering these issues, Hutchison would be an easy compromise pick for Romney, and probably wouldn’t mind capping off her career in Washington with a cabinet appointment.
Why not? Hutchison has no private sector experience, and no management experience, both of which Romney has said are key things he will look for. Moreover, Hutchison is damaged goods ideologically. Her thorough destruction in her run for Governor against Rick Perry already alienated conservatives in her home state, and it‘s not clear that she would hold to the sort of hardline positions at Commerce that Romney’s team might want.
Luis Fortuno
The exciting choice: Luis Fortuno, Governor of Puerto Rico
Why? Aside from being a popular, successful Hispanic governor whose political futures are compromised by governing a non-state, Fortuno fits the mold of the commerce secretary picked by Romney’s Republican presidential predecessor, George W. Bush. In fact, Carlos Gutierrez, one of Bush’s former commerce secretaries, is advising Romney, so it’s likely that Romney would look for someone in that vein to take the job. Fortuno’s name has also been mentioned in connection with both this position and the Interior Department.
Why not? Fortuno is young, and may lack the foreign policy chops necessary to take a position so focused on trade. Romney may prefer to put him at the Interior Department.
Donald Trump
The wild card: Donald Trump
Why? Trump’s name has been floated in connection with this post before. And once you get past his bombastic public image, that makes sense. Trump is a highly successful businessman, with very clear opinions on trade (especially with China), and is familiar with managing international partnerships for the sake of commerce. He’s also an outspoken Romney ally, even if his methods of advocacy don‘t always make Romney’s supporters feel safe. That’s not a resume to sneeze at, controversy or no.
Why not? The confirmation hearings would be a circus, and he‘s already said he wouldn’t take a White House job.
Secretary of the Interior
Luis Fortuno
The safe choice: Luis Fortuno, Governor of Puerto Rico
Why? As mentioned above, Fortuno has been mentioned in connection with this post, or with Commerce, by Romney’s team. Given the abundance of strong candidates for the Commerce job, it seems more likely that he’d be placed in this position. Fortuno has been a steward over one of America’s most beautiful territories, while also encouraging economic growth – a key mix, given how Romney’s Interior Department will have to thread the needle between utilizing our national resources and exploiting them. He’s also used to dealing with liberal criticism in this context.
Why not? Romney may decide he’s a better fit at Commerce, after all. If he isn’t in the Cabinet, though, that would be surprising.
James Inhofe
The exciting choice: Senator James Inhofe
Why? Inhofe is one of the most high profile advocates for increased energy production in the Senate. He is also one of its most vocal climate skeptics. An appointment of Inhofe would send a clear signal to environmentalists that this administration is not interested in catering to their demands, while still being less controversial than appointing Inhofe to a post like EPA Administrator, which would be a complete slap in the face of the Left.
Why not? Inhofe’s views on the environment, and especially on climate change, are extremely controversial, and a confirmation hearing for him would have the potential to turn into a public relations nightmare.
Joe Manchin
The wild card: Senator Joe Manchin
Why? Picking Manchin would be a move of true political jujutsu. In one fell stroke, Romney would make his cabinet bipartisan, send a signal that his administration will be pro-coal (in contrast with the Obama administration) and open the way for a less popular replacement senator to be nominated in Manchin’s place, who could easily be picked off down the road. Never mind that regardless of party, Manchin would be qualified for the position, and has the kind of managerial chops Romney might want. After all, he came to the Senate after being governor of his state.
Why not? Manchin’s still a Democrat, and might not particularly want to be put in charge of the Interior Department under Romney. He’s bucked his party on issues specific to his state, but a move like this might be considered a bridge too far, both for him and Romney.
Secretary of Transportation
John Mica
The safe choice: Congressman John Mica of Florida
Why? Mica is the current Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, but due to term limits, will lose his gavel at the end of this year. Putting him in this post would enable him to gracefully give up his old seat. His name has been mentioned by the Romney team as one of the leading contenders for this post, and given his nearly 20 years of experience, he’d be a steady hand doing it.
Why not? Mica‘s name isn’t the only one the Romney team has mentioned in connection with this post. Nor is he the one whose qualifications line up most neatly with what Romney’s team might be looking for in a future Transportation secretary. He has no private sector experience or managerial experience, for instance, and the fact that he’s been targeted by the Tea Party might make him too moderate.
Marion Blakey
The exciting choice: Marion Blakey, CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association
Why? Unlike Mica, who would likely be nominated for a post like this out of a desire to smooth over his loss of one political position, Blakey would bring very little political baggage, if any, to the post. She would increase the diversity of the Romney cabinet, while also beefing up its private sector/management-oriented character. Her two past government positions – head of the Federal Aviation Administration, and Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board – would preserve her from the charge of being completely untried.
Why not? Blakey’s nomination would open her and the potential Romney administration to charges of corruption. A 2007 USA Today story mentions that after leaving her post as head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Blakey was assailed by critics for accepting a position with an organization that lobbies that very same body. If Romney wants to send a message that he’s not going to play the same access games in his cabinet, she’s the wrong pick.
Gov. Bob McDonnell
The wild card: Governor Bob McDonnell
Why? “His excellency,” as McDonnell is apparently called in Virginia, will be term limited out of his job come 2013 (Virginia Governors cannot serve multiple consecutive terms). As such, if Romney appointed him to this job, it would give Romney a campaign ally and Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling an inside track on incumbency. Besides political favors, however, McDonnell could be a strong choice given his infrastructure-dependent home state.
Why not? McDonnell’s appointment could be seen solely as a game of political favoritism precisely because it puts Bolling in office, depriving Virginia Attorney General and Tea Party favorite Ken Cuccinelli of a fair shot. Romney might want to avoid the appearance of cronyism.
Next: Who Romney might pick to lead the departments conservatives love to hate — Education, Health and Human Services, and Labor!
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Lloyd Ritchey
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 8:43amIt’s worth noting that none of these cabinet-level departments are valid representations of Constitutional government…and that almost nobody in the GOP is doing more than using limited government rhetoric while maintaining the status quo.
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:25pmAnother candidate for Sec. Interior: Sarah Palin
Report Post »DOra Glasberg
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 3:45pmInhofe is 106 years old. Please!
Report Post »myway
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 2:24pmMitt will run this business and office with the help of the best and brightest we have. I was told today he will be the same as everyone that held the office. I disagree he don’t need dollars, or fame. He wants to get our country roaring again. He will get the country running again! So far the Convention has hit obama very hard. I can’t wait to hear Mitt speak. R & R 2012
Report Post »Arc
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:57pmWhen Romney’s advisers get around to selecting someone to head the EPA, that choice should be someone with the guts to tell those Obama supporters to TAKE A HIKE literally.
Report Post »Callie369
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:27amSecretary of Energy………….SARAH PALIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Chromo200
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:47pmMitt better stop raiding our replublican governors .. He also should get rid of at least two Depts while he is president. I vote for Education and Energy. He also should work on a better tax system.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:32amWell the Trolls are lose today. Hasn’t been this bad since right before the 2010 elections. Flop sweat ?
Report Post »Eastinfection
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:26amStay tuned for “possible Romney cabinet picks III” featuring Oak, Cherry, Poplar, Walnut, and “dark horse candidate”… knotty Pine.
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:41amHe’ll go with popUlar I bet. Androids like to blend in.
Report Post »Lloyd Ritchey
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 8:45amThat’s actually pretty solid humor. I lol’d.
Report Post »Noah_fing-whey
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:19amMilburn Drysdale – Sec of Commerce; Makes as much sense as any of these other suggestions.
Report Post »Amarath01
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:08amWhy doesn’t he just keep the current, they all have the same ideas anyway.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:18amNow that is optimistic of you! I can at least hope, can’t I? I fully expect to be disappointed in a Romney administration, but who knows…Maybe he is the next Reagan…
Report Post »chucksue351
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:33amreagan was no reagan read conterfiet conservative
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:56amReagan was an awesome president! Sure, he made his mistakes, but his administration will be remembered as a great success. This is a majority opinion and no amount of liberal spin is going to change that.
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:22amC’mon Mitt, pick ONE to do away with…just one! Guess there must be better ways to reduce the size of government than actually reducing the size of government right? I know…first he has to win, then he has to fill a cabinet. I’m just not holding my breath that a progressive RINO would ever do something as crazy as actually eliminating part of the executive branch. Would someone ask him in an interview if he would eliminate any part of the executive branch? Someone? Please?
State – 1789
Report Post »Treasury-1789
Defense -1789
Justice -1789
Navy – 1798
Interior -1849
Agriculture -1862
Commerce -1913
Labor -1913
Housing and Urban Development – 1965
Transportation -1966
Energy -1977
Health and Human Services -1979
Education -1979
Veterans Affairs -1988
Homeland Security -2002
trolltrainer
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:04amWhy ask? You know the answer already. Probably no one that could be elected to POTUS will ever make a serious dent in your list. The best I can hope for is he balances the budget, improves the economy, revamps the tax code, creates a better environment for small business, and maybe streamline government back to at least an acceptable level. Hopefully redundant departments can be combined or eliminated and it would be awesome if homeland security was dismantled…But I wouldn’t hold my breath. As far as any real cuts? Forget it. But do you think Ron Paul could really have done anything either? Even with executive order, which I seriously doubt he would use as he is too principled for that, he would have to buck congress, never mind the SCOTUS.
Face it, America has become progressive…at least to an extent…and this will not be reversed. I am not sure some of it should be, after all, I have paid into SS my whole life, I am entitled to get at least some of that back. Many people rely on Medicaid. It would be nice to bring health care in line where people could afford most of it out of pocket, but like it or not there does need to be some kind of safety net. We do not let people die in the streets or starve in this country. By the same token, we should not be buying them houses, cell phones, or sirloin steak either…
Report Post »Sumrknght
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:45amThat’d be an easy pick – do away with the Education dept. Get the government OUT of the classroom (and entire school process) and get our kids LEARNING again.
I’d like to nominate Sen. Tom Coburn from Oklahoma for Health & Human Services though. (He’s a medical doctor, and retiring from Congress) You put him together with Paul Ryan – and you’ll GET a true fix to the health care system that will NOT be government dependent.
Report Post »OutOfTheAether
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:22amI wouldn’t expect any trimming early in the game. You have to stop the bleeding first before you start doing any corrective surgery. I’d say let him first get the economy and budget fixed and on track, THEN start looking into the slimming down
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:14amHow about appointing experience business leaders that are well versed in saving businesses, budget cutting, waste ending, fraud fighting and even complete department elimination policies!
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:27amHe BETTER. The DOT needs a good trimming! Look at what Obama has planned for 2012- 2017 = $555,584,000,000.00 budget request for “projected” costs. (includes $50,000,000.00 UP FRONT stimulus) YIKES, for ONE department!
Report Post »Chromo200
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:12amIndividualism … Did you get the memo that Obama is going to make you a czar.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 8:53amnone because he is not getting elected.
Report Post »MadenNZ
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:06amO oh….someone needs a hearty breakfast and some great big hugs to chase the grumpies away!!!
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:10amI dont know, he has the momentum. Obama has…hmmm….Sandra Fluke…
It sucks to be you! :-)
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:14amAnd IF he wins? How will you react? Graciously ADMIT you were wrong? I DOUBT IT. IF Obama wins I’ll just be in total shock, but If it’s a FAIR election with NO cheating by the liberals with voting by illegal aliens, dead people and pets, then I will admit defeat. Let’s see who gets to GLOAT! :)
Report Post »Wildblue3
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:14am~Pinches you to wake you up~ Friend, it’s very unlikely Obama will win. No ONE wants his EVIL policies or thinks a moralless jerk like him deserves to stay in power.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:25amenjoy dreamland but i am doubling on my intrade when i am right, the election is rigged and ready for him to win, just look at who is counting the votes.
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 8:50amCarroll Shelby for Secretary of Transportation….imagine that…
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:08amUnfortunately Jack he recently passed away! RIP….. How about Richard Petty?
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:49amOh, my. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry to hear that. Another true American hero gone whose legacy is legendary. (After he found out he had a bad heart and had to stop racing, he decided to bring his own automotive style to the people. He did so in a grand style too.) R.I.P. Carroll.
P.S. Screw Enzo Ferrari! moohaha.
Report Post »