Biden-Harris Dream Cabinet

With the presumptive Democratic presidential ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, is it too early to propose Cabinet members?

After reviewing ideas propelled by political analysts and media pundits in recent months, and purposefully keeping many Democratic House and Senate members in the Congress to maintain a political majority, here are my suggestions. Let me know your ideas in the comments below.

Secretary of State: Susan Rice is the obvious choice. As a former National Security Advisor and Ambassador to the United Nations, she is proficient in international relations.

Secretary of Treasury: Anne Finucane. The current Vice Chairwoman of Bank of America, she’s been involved in financial decision making for decades. Some think Elizabeth Warren is better suited for this job, but I don’t want Governor Baker naming a Republican Senator to replace her; and, besides, I think she would excel as Senate President.

Secretary of Defense: Michele Flournoy. She was undersecretary of defense under Obama. Her name is floated for this post across the web. Enough said.

Attorney General: Preet Bharara, Merrick Garland, or Sally Yates. It’s a toss-up. Each of them has an impressive judicial background and would be amazing as AG.

Secretary of Interior: Michelle Grisham. As Governor of New Mexico, she’s very familiar with federal land management and Native American relationships. Quite the unique perspective.

Secretary of Agriculture: Amy Klobuchar. Combine her legislative and geographical background, and Amy could be great as SecAg. If she stays in the Senate, then maybe Beto O’Rourke?

Secretary of Commerce: Mike Bloomberg. His name is on every list to run the World Bank, but I think he’d be a great successor to Wilbur Ross. Replace one business billionaire with another. Give him a year or two to reorganize the department priorities and then he can go to the WB.

Secretary of Labor: Marty Walsh. The current 2-term Boston Mayor has a strong background in organized labor. Rumors are circulating that he’s thinking of hanging up the elected hat, but does he want to relocate to DC?

Secretary of Health and Human Services: Dr. Don Berwick. Many suggest Bill Gates, but I think Gates is better suited running his nonprofit. Berwick understands federal healthcare bureaucracy as an ex-director of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. I think he’d get along wonderfully with Doctors Fauci and Redfield (assuming they stay put).

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Cory Booker would be ideal, capable of fixing the racial inequality in housing and metropolitan issues. If he stays in the Senate, then maybe Tom Steyer?

Secretary of Transportation: John Kasich, the former Governor of Ohio and the only Republican I’m including in this Cabinet. He’s speaking at the DNC convention, for what it’s worth. If not this post, give him something.

Secretary of Energy: Jay Inslee, the Governor of Washington, is obsessed with climate change. Some think he’s better suited for the EPA, but renewables should be on the forefront of the federal agenda to reverse the devastation of Trump policies.

Secretary of Education: Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers. Joe and Jill Biden each indicated they want a teacher or educator to fill the role. I don’t know if Randi has the stomach for the Cabinet but, after seeing her on TV, she has the presence.

Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs: Tammy Duckworth, a Purple Heart recipient, was the undersecretary of VA under Obama. Bring her back.

Secretary of Homeland Security: Juliette Kayyem, a former undersecretary of Homeland Security under Obama. I don’t know if she can be wooed back to DC but she should definitely be considered.