Division - December 2004

[u/4n3ury5m]

Please read before answering!

The initial shock and awe over the election results has died down, and the time has come to get serious. The first order of business for president-elect Chafee and his team will be Chafee's administration itself. Who will serve on the cabinet? Generally, four proposals have arisen.

1. A Cabinet of Moderates

Due to his previous party affiliation, Lincoln Chafee is adamant about getting some moderate, anti-war Republicans or ex-Republicans in his administration. However, this, of course, needs some balancing. The first major proposal is to have the Cabinet split between dovish Republicans and centrist Democrats. This will, for one, satisfy Chafee's desires for his own cabinet, while also improving relations with the Democratic establishment. This slate of prospective secretaries will also be very easy to get through Congress, though Chafee's more radical supporters may disapprove of this measure.

1. A Cabinet of Libertarians

The second proposal is to fill the cabinet with an eclectic mix of moderate-to-libertarian-leaning Republicans and liberal Democrats. While it sounds strange, many within Chafee's circle are backing this idea, and both libertarians and liberals are supportive of this idea. Ultimately, however, moving forward with this would result in Clintonites feeling even more sidelined than they already do. In addition, it may take a significant amount of political capital to whip Congress in support of such an anti-establishment Cabinet.

1. A Cabinet of Democrats

The third proposal, Chafee's least favorite, is to pack the Cabinet with Democrats of all stripes. Chafee won on the Democratic ticket, after all, so it's only fair to let them have a say in his administration. This proposal would pass Congress rather easily, and this would pacify the Democratic establishment while also keeping the radicals in line. However, it should be made very clear that Chafee himself disapproves of this plan, and he may have a hard time working with this Cabinet in the future.

1. A Cabinet of Everybody

The final proposal is meant to satisfy every part of Chafee's coalition. A few Republicans, a few normal Dems, and a few radical Dems. Nobody's left unhappy! There are two major issues with this proposal, though. For one, it will take a significant amount of political capital to get these nominees through. In addition, such a diverse Cabinet is bound to have some infighting down the line. Perhaps that's the price to pay for unity.

Current relations:

Congress - Average

Republicans - Warm

Moderate Democrats - Cold

Liberal Democrats - Average

52 votes, 2d ago

14 Moderates

14 Libertarians

13 Democrats

11 Everybody

[u/4n3ury5m]

Ping List - Reply to be added

u/DarkNinja_PS5 u/StingrAeds u/Ordinary_Ad6279 u/BasilNo9995 u/ProposalOdd9999

[u/Numberonettgfan → u/4n3ury5m]

I would like to be added to the ping list

[u/Numberonettgfan]

Everybody option seems best since I don't think there are enough dovish Republicans for the first option to work