Who do you like for the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security?

[yebrent]

This is the 4th of 5 polls for top Cabinet positions in a 2009 Democratic Administration.

The Cabinet positions being polled are as follows:

1. Secretary of State (Finished: Wes Clark is the winner with 51%)
2. Attorney General (Finished: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the winner with 29%)
3. Secretary of Defense (Finished: Jim Webb is the winner with 49%)
4. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (currently running)
5. National Intelligence Director (3/04-3/06)

(Yes, I know the National Intelligence Director isn't an official Cabinet Position, but it is a highly critical position in the administration that oversees 16 separate intelligence agencies)
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Why start this so early?

Glad you asked, for a couple of reasons:

These cabinet positions require strong public support for the individuals appointed. We trust these individuals to serve the US Constitution and “We the People” first, not the President or the Party. This is an opportunity to voice that trust.

I don't think it is good to show the depth of the Democratic Party's bench. There are many excellent Democratic candidates for cabinet seats, and holding these party leaders up for comparison against Gonzales, Condi, Gates and the rest of the Bush Cabal only helps our eventual Presidential nominee and Democratic Party's national image. Also, the sooner this party can think of itself as a team, the better. America is looking for a team to lead, not another neo-dictator and his yes-men and yes-women.
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The 4th poll up is for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The winner of this poll will be excluded from the remaining polls.

I’ve excluded all sitting Senators from this poll, since it is not as high profile of a position as the previous Cabinet positions polled.

Wes Clark is excluded from this poll and the remaining polls since he already placed 1st for Secretary of State: (Results: Clark 51% / Kerry 40% / Holbrooke 4% / Biden 2% / Graham 2%)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is excluded from this poll and the remaining polls since he already placed 1st for Attorney General: (Results: Kennedy 29% / Kerry 20% / Spitzer 20% / Fitzgerald 10% / other 21%)

Jim Webb is excluded from this poll and the remaining polls since he already placed 1st for Secretary of Defense: (Results: Webb 49% / Kerry 13% / Kerrey 11% / Levin 11% / Graham 4% / other 12%)
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I've omitted the following people from all polls:

”Leading” Presidential Candidates:

Hillary Clinton
Barack Obama
John Edwards
Bill Richardson

Others:

Al Gore (may run and probably wouldn't take a cabinet position)
Nancy Pelosi (why would she give up what she's got?)
Harry Reid (Harry might be more willing than Pelosi, but I would be surprised)
Bill Clinton
Jimmy Carter
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The nominees for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security are listed randomly below. I’ve also included Wikipedia links in case you don’t know much about the nominees. If you don't see your favorite, nominate them, and I'll add them next time. I hope to update this poll quarterly through the 2008 elections.

Thanks for your participation!

Bob Kerrey
Bob Graham
Jennifer Granholm
Mark Warner
Tom Daschle
Max Cleland
Grey Davis
Evan Bayh
Janet Napolitano

[baldguy]

1. Richard Clarke

[More Than A Feeling]

2. Seconded.

[FrenchieCat]

3. I'll go with Clarke!

If anybody would have hair on fire when required, it would be him!

Grey davis? Getoutoftown! :rolf:

[yebrent]

5. I was going to include Clarke in the 5th poll for National Intelligence Director.

IMO, the Secretary of Homeland Security needs strong administrative experience. The type of experience a Governor of a large state has, preferably one that has dealt with numerous natural disasters and worked with the Federal Government to respond to terrorist threats within their state. Although I disagree with Clarke as a top choice, I will include him on the list next time.

[Rowdyboy]

4. Retired General Claudia Kennedy has a background in intelligence

She advised John Kerry in 2004.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudia_Kennedy

[PhilipShore]

6. Michael Levine: Media law enforcement consultant for top TV and radio shows including 60 Minutes

Michael Levine is one of the most highly decorated DEA agents in that agency's history. He is the co-author (with Laura Kavanau) of NY Times non-fiction best-seller DEEP COVER, THE BIG WHITE LIE, TRIANGLE OF DEATH, FIGHT BACK (How to Take Your Own Community Back From The Drug Dealers) and was also the subject of Donald Goddard's biography UNDERCOVER.

He has served as a media law enforcement consultant for top national TV and radio shows including 60 Minutes, McNeil Lehrer News Hour and Frontline.

During his 25 year career as an enforcement officer his arrest and prosecution record were rivaled by few. Since his retirement in 1990, he has been equally effective as an expert witness and Trial Consultant in civil and criminal cases throughout the US.

For information on Mike's services, visit his site: http://www.expertwitnessradio.org/about.html

[tkmorris]

7. No one at all

I favor it's dismantlement. It accomplishes nothing that other pre-existing departments can't already do. It's very existence emphasizes a climate of fear and xenophobia. We need to return to more prosperous and diplomatic times.

[Rowdyboy]

8. Plus, the name "Homeland Security" reeks of Nazi Germany

Shades of the Motherland.

[ieoeja]

11. Ditto n/t

[mainer]

9. Rudy Giuliani?

Don't stone me. But there's no reason it has to be Democrat, is there?

[sinkingfeeling]

10. Dismantle the DHS and break out FEMA.

[Solon]

12. Dismantle it...

Its a Department of Redundancy and isn't necessary, nor is it, apparently, effective at its mission.

[SteppingRazor]

13. Out of the your nominees, I gotta go Bob Graham...

counterterrorism is a big deal with the guy, and being a former senator from Florida, he's already in tune with port security and other major issues — or, rather, what should be major issues — at the DHS.

[donsu]

14. no one as I'd like to see DHS killed and buried

detest the wording 'homeland'. makes me think of Hitler every time I hear it.

what we had before worked just fine.

DHS is a bunch of dragons and gargoyles. dragons pocketing the money and gargoyles pretending to be protectors.