Democratic Dream Team: Part Two of Five

Democratic Dream Team: Part Two of Five
The top Democratic contenders for the positions of Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Agriculture, and Secretary of Energy.
by John Drexel

Part Two of a five-part series. Click here for Part One.

Secretary of Homeland Security:
If there is one guy out there who could really- and I mean really- get under the skin of some Republicans on Capitol Hill if he were appointed to the top Homeland Security post, it's Richard A. Clarke.

There is no questioning Clarke's significant experience in the area. His career began in the Department of Defense in 1973. By 1985, he'd moved to the State Department, where he was appointed to serve as the Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence under President Reagan. Under George H.W. Bush, he held the same post, coordinating efforts to build support for the 1991 Gulf War. The Clinton years brought Clarke increased responsibility and security clearance, when he was appointed by the president to serve as the counter-terrorism advisor to the National Security Council. He was the "terrorism czar" under George W. Bush until he retired in 2003, bringing a firestorm of criticism on the Bush White House on his way out.

His 2004 book, Against All Enemies, accused the Bush Administration of gross negligence and ineptitude. He charged that Bush officials failed to take action that may or may not have prevented the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and that the rush to war in Iraq in 2003 greatly hampered counter-terrorism efforts on the home front.

The fact is that in the days following the invasion of Iraq, Richard Clarke was one of the best friends Democrats had. Because of his position and his considerable qualifications, he was amongst the most notable and resounding critics of both Bush and the war.

There are few Democrats who are as experienced and as knowledgeable about terrorism and protecting the homeland than Richard Clarke. But beyond that, Clarke's particular expertise lay in the areas that will be most relevant in the years ahead: terrorism and cyber-security.

Perhaps most importantly, Clarke would not be an incredibly politically divisive pick. Sure, he ticked off a few GOPers when he initially came out in opposition to the Bush White House. But Clarke has more than Demonstrated his own ability to work with Democrats as well as Republicans. He has served- and thrived, professionally- under four American presidents, only one of them a Democrat.

Secretary of Agriculture:
Unless you live in Montana or are an extreme political junkie, you probably haven't heard much about Brian Schweitzer, the remarkably popular Governor of Montana.

Schweitzer represents a state that has not voted for a Democrat just twice (Clinton in '92, Johnson in '64) in the last 50 years. But it's no surprise why the people of Montana, one of the most solidly agricultural states in the Union, thinks Schweitzer is cut out for the job: he's an honest-to-God farmer. He studied agronomy (agricultural economics)- the bread and butter of the Department of Agriculture- at the University of Colorado, and then got his master's degree in soil science from the University of Montana. The man knows agriculture.

And he's no stranger to the Department of Agriculture. During the Clinton administration, Schweitzer was tapped to the agency's Farm Service Committee.

The bottom line in choosing someone to lead this department that oversees one of the United States' most vital industries is that the nominee must be knowledgeable and relevantly experienced. Brian Schweitzer is both of those things.

In looking at other candidates, Schweitzer stands head-and-shoulders above the rest. Montana has two Democratic Senators, so it's unlikely that he's looking forward to a future as a legislator. This is the logical place for Schweitzer.

Of course, others are bound to get a long look. Tom Vilsack, the retired Governor of Iowa, possesses many of the same qualities that Schweitzer does. But rumors have begun to circulate surrounding Vilsack's potential candidacy for Republican Chuck Grassley's Senate Seat in 2010. The same goes for Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who might make a great Secretary of Agriculture, but may seek to fill the seat being vacated by Sam Brownback in two years. Additionally, Sebelius may be a candidate for the VP slot of Barack Obama if he's successful in his quest for the Democratic nomination.

Secretary of Energy:
In the tidal wave that hit Republicans in Congress in 2006, one that they didn't see coming was the loss of California's 11th Congressional District. The incumbent there, Richard Pombo, represented what had become a staunchly Republican district since he first won the open seat in 1994.

What hit Pombo like a ton of bricks was little-known engineer Jerry McNerney, a wind energy consultant who played a large part in bringing a large number of windmills to a gusty pass located in the district. Going into election day, the race was rated "Republican leaning" by everyone from the New York Times to CQ Politics. But by the time the dust had settled, a stunned Pombo was left without a job.

One of the biggest criticisms against Pombo arose from a dismal environmental record and low ratings from a number of major environmental groups from California and beyond. Taking his cue, McNerney set to work, getting seated on a number of energy and environment-related committees. Today, he sits on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, as well as the Energy and Environment subcommittee of the Committee on Science and Technology.

McNerney has drawn praise as one of the hardest working representatives on Capitol Hill. Unlike most of his colleagues, McNerney spends five days a week in Washington, the rigorous routine of coast-to-coast travel notwithstanding.

The only man who can truly bill himself as an expert in renewable energy and energy technology is Jerry McNerney. A lot of legislators have served on energy committees, but McNerney's spent his life in the field. He's got as much if not more expert knowledge on the subject than anyone we can think of.

Having defeated Pombo so narrowly and unexpectedly in 2006, McNerney's reelection bid isn't exactly a cake walk, but most sources are giving him a significant edge. However, whether or not he is reelected to his Congressional seat, McNerney should get a considerable look from the White House for the top post in the Department of Energy.