Furthering both the history and fortuity embodied in his victory, the committee tasked with approving Obama’s choice for Secretary of State may well be chaired by his own Vice President to be.
Here’s the not unlikely scenario:
In addition to his prominent appearance on the national ballot, Biden quietly ran for and won re-election as Delaware Senator on Tuesday, as provided by his state’s law. Interestingly enough, while the law obviously requires he resign that seat before taking up his loftier duties on January 20th, it sets no actual deadline for such action. If conjecture that he might resign before year’s end holds true, then January’s pre-inaugural cabinet confirmation hearings would amount to Washington business-as-usual. But just last month, Biden reportedly said this: “I wouldn’t resign my Senate seat until I were sworn in as Vice President of the United States.”
Such would open the door to a truly historic convergence of events. As you probably know, Biden is the current chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and will hold that gavel as long as he holds his seat on Capitol Hill. The committee’s oversight umbrella over all government foreign policy agencies — including the State Department — includes hearings on the nominations of all US diplomats and, more pertinently — Secretaries of State.
Now, there’s talk of Obama feigning his “unity†mettle by reaching out to moderate Republican Senators – like Richard Lugar of Indiana or recently retired Chuck Hagel of Nebraska — for the post. But both Massachusetts Senator John Kerry (who may otherwise replace Biden as SFRC chairman) and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson have made no secret of their yearnings for the position. More importantly, with the media running the same interference on Obama’s political obligations as they have his dubious associations, almost any name might pop up.
But whosoever he puts forth, the president-elect will do so content in the knowledge that his second in command will be there not only in advocacy, but also in charge.
Now, you might wonder what significance this may have beyond the historical, especially with final approval in the hands of the full and Democrat controlled Senate of the 111th Congress.
Perhaps none, but keep in mind: while economic headlines have underscored the urgency of a solid choice for Treasury Secretary, the international news temporarily relocated to below the fold emphasizes the need for a Secretary of State of equal stature. And qualifying such a person in these dangerous times – particularly given the policy changes made inevitable on Tuesday — will require nothing less than the most evenhanded of committee debates.
But once again, the fairness preaching Obama will have an unfair edge.
