The institution of the president’s Cabinet is not mentioned explicitly in the Constitution, but the constitutional authority for the Cabinet is found in Article II, Section 2, which says the president “may require the opinion, in writing of the principle officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices.”
There Cabinet traditionally includes the vice president and the heads of the 15 executive departments the people who, along with the Speaker of the House and the president pro tem of the Senate, are in the legally mandated order of presidential succession.
Beyond that, presidents at their discretion may elevate other officials to Cabinet level rank. The heads of the EPA and the Office of Management and Budget, along with the U.S. trade representative, are generally accorded such rank.
- CQ Weekly
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Paul Vallas - interesting choice for Dept. of Ed in a McCain administration. The guy is considering moving back to Illinois (his homestate and where his family still lives) to enter the DEMOCRATIC primary for Governor.
And of course it's a sin to have a bi-partisan cabinet? Obama has said that he'd consider Republicans Chuck Hagel and Arnold Schwarzenegger for cabinet positions; why shouldn't McCain consider Democrats as well?
On a side note, James B. Peake has a really scary smile. I get the feeling like he wants to eat me.
I have no idea what Arnold would be best equipped for. It might just be a favor to give him a cabinent position. It is as close to Ronald Reagan's legacy as he will get. I still say that Paulson and Gates need to be held over becuase of the seriousnes of the things they are handling. That is how FDR got three terms. but Zoellick would be agood choice for treasury. He definitely knows the ins and outs of money and politics. Rudy would overshadow his entire department but I believe he would do the job to the "T" as Attorney General. Any of the picks listed would do a decnt job as Commerce Secretary. Portman will probably continue his ascension through government. Although Whitman would bring a fresh approach. Lieberman might be good for Secretary of State. Blackwell will probably be rewarded for all the "good" work he's done for the Republican party by getting the only designated "minority" Cabinet slot--HUD. Steele will get a look.
this is the year that either obama will be hurt or mccain will have a heart attack when he gets allected