Secretary Markell?
Politico must have had nothing to write about today, so it chose to speculate on what the second term cabinet will look like. The article opines that Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, fresh off his excellent speech at the DNC, could be the next Attorney General. Either UN Ambassador Susan Rice or Sen. John Kerry will be the next Secretary of State. For Secretary of Education, Politico thinks it could Governor Markell.
Charlie Copeland is already making an issue of this over at his blog, so I am sure Republican gubernatorial nominee Jeff Cragg will too. Markell will likely be forced to make a pledge that he will serve out his second term. And indeed, Markell may have every intention to serving as Governor until 2016. But when the President asks you to serve your country, you don’t say no. Not even Hillary said no.
If the Governor does leave Dover to serve in Washington, I don’t think it will be right away, as in January 2013. It will probably be later in the President’s second term. And if he does leave, that sort of cements the now Governor Denn as the frontrunner in the possible 2016 three way Democratic primary with Attorney General Biden and Treasurer Flowers.
Man, oh man. Politico just made me feel better about pulling an occasional post out of my ass.
Thanks guys!
That’s what I’ve thought all along. Education is such a priority and passion for him – that would be the ultimate put-up or shut up moment.
If we’re going to guess at Jack’s post-gubernatorial career, I’ll put in a pitch for president of a university. He grew up around the UD, he values education — and a university president has a lot more control of his own life than an Education Secretary does.
And Politico never has anything to write about when Republicans are losing.
This would unspeakably bad for our nation.
Well, better than Michelle Rhee, who was also mentioned as a possibility in the Politico article.
John: Every education secretary is unspeakably bad for the nation. The department is nothing but a repository of people with education PhDs and no worthwhile skills. It’s my only point of agreement with Ronald Reagan.
I do not see how the Dept of Education helps Markell with his Presidential aspirations.
I can’t imagine he would be interested in that job. Why? Almost impossible to show any success metrics, low on the totem pole for attention, except negative attention from the right, and limited in time.
I suppose people have done stranger things, but…
It doesn’t, but it keeps Joe Biden from having another guy from Delaware running. It also sets up a clearer path to executive office for his kid. I think this is more likely to happen than it may seem. Delaware doesn’t like a backup in its game of musical chairs.
If Markell runs for president, he’s not really aiming at the White House. He’d be gunning for a Cabinet job after dropping out early on and endorsing the eventual nominee, then campaigning like crazy as a surrogate. No way he wins, even in Selander’s wettest dreams.
Beau doesn’t want the governorship. He’s far too aloof to enjoy the backslapping and dealmaking. He’ll wait for Carper’s job or take a federal appointment in Obama II – deputy to Deval, head of the VA, something like that.
In ’16, it will be Denn v Flowers, v To Be Determined for the governorship, and Denn will crush everyone.
Carney will hang around until he gets a federal gig, too. The guy has no personality and no base – no chance at moving up, especially if the Feds move on Minner.
Markell would be an awesome cabinet member. Education I have nothing but excellent things to say about him. He’ll never be President.And Beau, I agree, federal appt or DOJ.
Alex, really? are you paying attention?
Me and Geezer agree. Mark this day.
What that you think it makes sense for him to demote himself into the UDEL system? Markell is an excellent politician. Good for him if he works his way into the White House. His baggage in Delaware was largely cleaned up by the Dem Primaries. I think he’s in a pretty good spot right now, good for him.
“What that you think it makes sense for him to demote himself into the UDEL system?”
I never said UD; that’s one of the plum jobs in the industry. But look at what happened recently at UVa. — big-money donors who made their pile on Wall Street want Wall Street-style overhauls of universities, so a guy like Jack should be in demand.
In what regard would you consider being president of UD a “demotion,” anyway? The salary is at least five times what that of a cabinet secretary, while the workload gives you a more manageable lifestyle besides. What’s not to like?