What Would Lincoln Do? A Team of (Bitter?) Rivals

Newsweek provides a great framing to the political theme of the last few days: reconciliation. And who knows that topic better than our 16th President? That was Abraham Lincoln, a young Illinois state representative who ran an inspiring Senate race, and then a few short years later won the highest nation in the land despite being criticized by primary opponents as an inexperienced lightweight.


When asked how he would govern, Barack Obama has repeatedly referenced the 2005 book, Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Lincoln successfully out-maneuvered several experienced, savvy politicians for the Republican nomination in 1860, all of whom had more institutional backing than he did. However, when it came time to build his administration in a time of dire national challenges, he did not hold any grudges from the battle. Instead, he appointed his rivals to key Cabinet posts: New York Senator William Seward became Secretary of State, Ohio Governor Salmon Chase took over the Treasury, and Edward Bates was named Attorney General. Despite the contempt that all three showed for Lincoln even in the early days of his presidency, the President was able to get them all on his side, and use their combined political skills as a powerful mechanism for governing.



--> We now see the same process repeating itself. Apparently, after days of speculation, Senator Hillary Clinton is the front runner to be named Secretary of State. That makes sense, given that it would be foolish on Obama's part to have her name floated and then publicly reject her. I will deal with the implications of her role in Team Obama were it to happen, but this sends a clear message about President Obama's outlook on governing: he wants the best and the brightest, and it doesn't matter how critical you have been. That's what the government is already about.


Now, if this were indeed 1860, we'd view Clinton's interest in the Cabinet post as just another sign of her desire to run for President again in a few years. Way back when, the State Department used to be a stepping stone to the White House. Lately, it's been nothing more than a post for key foreign policy advisors.


--> But Obama certainly isn't finished with washing his hands of the messy business of political campaigns. Today at noon, he and CoS-in-waiting Rahm Emanuel meet with Senator John McCain and Senator Lindsey Graham to discuss political endeavors that they can embark upon together in the future. Both former presidential candidates have a lot to gain from forging a working relationship. Obama will need bi-partisan support for much of his agenda, and McCain does indeed have a reputation for going across the aisle sometimes. McCain, meanwhile, wants to rebuild his Maverick image - a power broker in the Senate now that he can't be one in the White House. The results of this meeting will be crucial to the passage of the Democratic agenda next year.


I guess if Obama really wanted to just throw in the towel and become Matthew Santos, he would just offer McCain the job of Secretary of State. Then again, I guess picking a former primary rival is close enough. Besides, he'd have to kill Fightin' Joe Biden, too, and no one wants that.


--> Meanwhile, in this time of economic crisis, we can add one more U.S. citizen to the ranks of the unemployed. Senator Barack Obama resigned his seat today, as mandated by a silly, outdated document called the Constitution. Apparently one branch per person was good enough for the founding fathers. Here's his letter to the people of Illinois, thanking them for allowing him to enter public service. What he doesn't mention is that now they have to get in line with every other state, because they don't get special treatment anymore. Ironically, this does leave the Republicans with a slim majority in the current Senate, 49 seats to 48 seats, with Lieberman and Bernie Sanders holding the other two seats (Biden hasn't resigned yet, although according to the Cheney Doctrine, there could be a stupid legal argument for him to remain in the legislative branch). Thus, if Bush-Cheney wanted to dramatically pass something ridiculous in these final few weeks, they technically have the power to do so (at this point, it really is nothing more than a technicality that the President of the United States has any sort of power).


--> Due to security concerns and federal law, when President Obama takes office he will have to give up one of his best friends: his BlackBerry. The device has not left his side through the entire campaign, but it appears that he will not be allowed to continue using it once he becomes Commander in Chief. Besides the risks of unsecured emails, the Presidential Records Act mandates the keeping of all presidential correspondence. However, Obama will indeed have a laptop on the desk, making him the first President in American history to use one (although there are unconfirmed reports of Jefferson using one - more on this as it develops). Obama is pictured below saying goodbye to his trusted advisor.

Maybe at their meeting today, Obama can thank Senator McCain for inventing it for him.

--> And speaking of technology, Barack Obama is going to communicate with the American people in a way most befitting the 21st century: YouTube. Obama will be delivering weekly fireside chats straight to the American people, and they will be webcasted and put on the popular internet video site. Reportedly, the videos will be accompanied by hilarious graphics and lolcatz to make them more entertaining. Oh, and all important announcements will be preceded by dramatic stare gopher.


It's good to know that Presidential addresses will now be taken as seriously as this guy. Imagine Obama doing that to Hail to the Chief.


--> By the way, that Newsweek article about Obama babies is finally out, with one interesting tidbit that I hadn't realized until now. Obama's birthday, August 4, 1961, would indicate the possibility that he was conceived just around JFK's election to the White House. So will one of the Obama baby boom become another president? Only time will tell. In case the process had already been going, I decided to check what was going on about 9 months before JFK's birth. Unless his parents were particularly worked up about Bulgaria's delcaration of war against Romania, I think there isn't a pattern here.


--> Laura Bush's conception of the role of the First Lady might not be exactly what Michelle Obama, a graduate of Harvard Law School, is looking for. Asked about their tour of the White House, Mrs. Bush explained, "I showed her the closets. I showed her all the things that women are interested in." It turns out that the Bush White House is actually run like the cliched suburban home of the 1950s. Laura Bush spends her time cleaning and cooking, so when George comes home after a hard day at work, he can sit down on his reclining chair with a beer and watch the game. Somehow I feel as if Michelle has bigger fish to fry, but her first priority will certainly be taking care of her two daughters.


And now, another edition of Governing with the Stars:

United States White House: 2009-2012

The Players:

The Consigliere - Gregory Craig, White House Counsel. Not a very surprising move here, but one that gives further insight into what sort of White House Obama is looking to build. Loyalty is certainly shown to be an important characteristic, as Craig has been on the Obama team for months. In addition, it would seem that Obama is not all that allergic to White House insiders - Craig headed Bill Clinton's impeachment defense. Hopefully that skill set won't be called upon this time around, as it would seem that Obama knows what the definition of "is" is. Most importantly, of course, President Obama wants a counsel that can do terrific impressions. Craig co-starred as the crotchety Senator from Arizona in the Obama Campaign's award-winning production of "Presidential Debate - the Preparations." Craig better leave that role behind, though, because I won't be able to stand it if he starts calling everyone his friends.



The Bosom Buddy - Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser and assistant to the president for intergovernment relations and public liaison (now that's a mouthful). Rumors of her wanting to replace Obama in the Senate or serve in a Cabinet post appear to have been misinformed. A longtime personal friend of the Obamas, and a member of his campaign's inner circle since he ran for state senate, Jarrett will most certainly have the ear of the President (which of course means that everyone, in turn, will want her ear). It also means that the White House now has its token black official. Or is Craig the token white official? I can't remember how it works anymore.