by Russell Bartholomee
It is customary near the end of any US President’s first term of office for every member of his Cabinet to tender his or her resignation. The idea is to relieve the President of the burden of having to go through the trouble of firing them. As of the time of this writing, eight members of Bush’s Cabinet (out of 15) have had their resignations accepted by the President. This follows two resignations during his first term, and is likely to be followed by two more. By the time the President is sworn in for his second term, this may well mean that only five of his original Secretaries will still be in place.
The President’s critics have tried to make this look like his closest advisers are abandoning him, and that this is a sign of weakness in the administration. Actually, this turnover rate is about average. Clinton had lost 15 Cabinet members by this point in his presidency; Reagan had lost 16. Bush’s 10-12 is actually a little light. But none of this numbers game really matters. All that’s really important is the opportunity that Bush has now to try to mend some fences in his divided country. It’s an opportunity he desperately needs to take advantage of.
Much has been made of the fact that Bush received more votes in this election than any previous presidential candidate. What is conspicuously left out is the fact that Kerry did too. That doesn’t negate Bush’s victory, but it should put it into context. He has won the right to preside over a deeply divided country for another four years. And it was a squeaker; once again, the outcome hinged on one state. Usually, an incumbent either wins or loses by a large margin. 51% to 48% is not a large margin. And so it’s crucial that Bush embrace the spirit of a campaign promise he made back in 2000—that he’s a “uniter and not a divider.” One way to put his money where his mouth is on this score is in choosing appropriate replacements for these outgoing Cabinet members.
Of course, some of the new nominations have already been made. Assuming Senate confirmation, the President has already announced nominees for the Departments of State, Justice, Education, Commerce, Agriculture, and Homeland Security. There will likely be other announcements between the time of this writing and press time. So, in some ways, the direction of the second Bush administration is already in motion. Still, there is some advice I’d like to offer the incoming Secretaries.
To Condoleeza Rice, who is slated to replace Colin Powell: You’re filling in for the guy I hate to see leave the most. Colin Powell was the voice of diplomacy before the Iraqi invasion. Of course, he didn’t have the President’s ear as much as Cheney, Rumsfeld, and you did. You’re one of the President’s most trusted advisers. Consider following Powell’s example a bit. Bring more of our friends to the table; work hard to restore broken relationships with some of our oldest friends. Remind the President that France saved our butts once as well (it’s why we won the Revolutionary War).
To Al Gonzales, who will replace John Ashcroft: First of all, as soon as you get the chance, undrape the statue in the Justice Department lobby. We can handle it. It’s a work of art, not pornography. Like the David and the Venus De Milo. Seriously. Second, I can’t say I’m sorry to see your predecessor go. Ashcroft was a little too willing to separate people from their civil liberties. Use your position of authority to go after the terrorists, by all means. But don’t confuse dissent on the part of citizens with terrorism. Dissent is patriotic (at least the Founding Fathers, dissenters one and all, seemed to think so). And restore some of our faith in the government by prosecuting the white-collar criminals and corporate fat cats who have profited for the last few years from the bankruptcy of their employees. Start with Ken Lay. But don’t stop there. Some of these people will have been major political contributors, but the reelection is over. It’s time to get them now. They are crooks, and they’re hurting America.
To Margaret Spellings, who is taking over as Secretary of Education: You’re replacing Rod Paige, who had a background in education. As I understand it, you have a background as a lobbyist. I mean no disrespect, but I’m nervous about that. I just feel like the Secretary of Education should have spent time, you know, educating—in the classroom, with kids. I’m old-fashioned though. Still, I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. (Besides, Paige was an educator, but he compared members of teachers’ unions to terrorists, so I’m not shedding tears at his retirement party). I want you to use your lobbying powers for good. The President had his first bipartisan success with the No Child Left Behind Act. I’m well aware of that piece of legislation’s implications. As a public school teacher, I am held accountable by the standards that law created. The thing is, there isn’t enough money to fund the program right now. I know this first hand. The PTA still sells cookies every other day in the foyer of my school to pay for basic supplies and resources. I teach two classes that have no budget at all—it all comes out of my pocket. So, lobby Congress for money to pay for No Child Left Behind. It’s a good idea not to leave children behind, but you can’t do it on the cheap.
Now that Bernard Kerik is no longer in the running (note to potential Cabinet Secretaries: hire legal nannies), the following is for whomever Bush chooses to become the new head of the Department of Homeland Security. Honestly, I don't know what to tell you; you've got a thankless. Good luck, Sir (or Madame. Bet you $5 it's 'Sir'). You have my prayers and best wishes. I hope you're very successful. (One thing: Could you ask the President to consider a name-change for the Department, though. 'Domestic Security' would sound a little less.I don't know.fascist. It's not a big deal, but I would consider that a solid).
Whoever replaces Spencer at the Energy Department: most of the 9/11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia. A lot of terror organizations make money from oil profits. We buy a lot of oil from Saudi Arabia and others who send their money to fund terrorism. See where I’m going with this? Alternative fuels. Push hard. At least start buying the oil from people who aren’t trying to kill us. Mexico has a lot of oil. So does Russia. Let’s work something out. I know oil prices might go up a little for a while. But until we get away from fossil fuels, we’re going to be beholden to these folks. Let’s lead the charge away from oil and into fuel cells and wind power. Turn the blustery mid-west into the new Middle East.
I know you guys can’t do this in a vacuum. Congress makes the laws, and the President enforces the laws. But you have the President’s ear. Take advantage of that. Please.
I also have some advice for President Bush: There are some other positions you’ll have to fill. Get people who are capable and qualified regardless of party affiliation. That’s a way to prove you’re a uniter and not a divider. You’re probably going to lose the one Democrat you have right now (Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta). It would be show that you really are determined to be the president of the red and blue states to appoint a few Democrats. And Zell Miller doesn’t count as a Democrat. Just FYI. That’s all the advice I have for you, sir. That and seriously consider giving Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz the boot. These guys aren’t doing you any favors, unless your goal is to alienate Europe (by which I mean ‘Old Europe’) further. They have no credibility with half this country or any other. Honestly? They should have been first to go.
I hope you’ll take my advice, all of you. I really do. While half of America is still celebrating the outcome of November 2, the other half is still reeling. They need to feel like the President is their President. They need to feel like the government is working for them. And it’s not like this disconnect is all your fault. The partisan politics of the last quarter century have been practiced by Republicans and Democrats alike. But we’re a lot more fragile as a nation now than we were then. We’ve had two bitterly divisive elections in a row. So, respectfully, it’s time to get down to business and away from business-as-usual.
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