Who should Obama choose as Secretary of State

While I would have loved to see Colin Powell in that position, it is my understanding that he has turned down the idea. Richardson, Hillary, Kerry, or Dodd seem to be at the top for consideration.

Any opinions?

 

Sadly, my gut is screaming "no" on Kerry.

He is well qualified. But 2004 ruined him. I know politics can't dictate every appointment, still ...

Chuck Hagel would be a great pick.

 

I like and respect Bill Richardson, would have liked to have seen him as a viable presidential candidate, but history isn't ready for that yet.

 

I like Hillary.

She is one tough cookie, and the clinton brand commands much respect abroad and at home.

 

I loathe the Clinton name.

I believe Bill Richardson will likely be the pick. But who knows.

 

Exactly what experience does she have this area? I am not one for putting much stock in brands, they seem to be manufactured by ad agencies.

 

I thought Hillary didn't want a position in his cabinet? But what do i know.

She'd be best on the end of Healthcare though, imho.

 

:cheers2:

 

Al Gore?
Listen to what Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen says before you start screaming. Hard to tell if he just hopes to divide; he's quite the right-winger. But he makes a good case ...

If there is a single appointment Barack Obama could make to signal how dramatically things will change in Washington, it would be to name Albert Gore Jr. -- former House member, former senator, former vice president, former presidential nominee and current Custodian of the Planet -- as secretary of state. For all the other aspirants to the job, sorry -- this is an inconvenient truth.
Can you imagine a bolder statement about a new direction when it comes to global warming and the general care of our abused planet? Gore has won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work in this area (and an Oscar, to boot), and his appointment would signal a dramatic shift from the indifference of the Bush era with its cold shoulder to the Kyoto treaty. In one stroke, the United States would emerge as the leader of nations in the effort to save the planet from ourselves -- and could prepare for the consequences of a changed world.