question

RU OX Alum · #1 12-01-2008, 02:10 PM

not trying to be a smart aleck, but...

if democratic senators keep getting chosen for cabinet positions, and let's assume for this discussion they are approved, what happens to their senate seat? Do they have another election for those states? And what happens if Obama appoints his senate buddies to all the cabinet positions? Couldn't they (the dems) loose control of the senate if he does that?

MysticCat · #2 12-01-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

not trying to be a smart aleck, but...

if democratic senators keep getting chosen for cabinet positions, and let's assume for this discussion they are approved, what happens to their senate seat? Do they have another election for those states? And what happens if Obama appoints his senate buddies to all the cabinet positions? Couldn't they (the dems) loose control of the senate if he does that?

It varies from state to state, but in all but a few states, the governor will appoint someone to finish the term of the senator-named-cabinet secretary.

You can be pretty sure that Obama will not recruit anyone from the Senate unless (1) the governor of the state from which the senator comes is a Democrat who will appoint a Democrat to finish the term and (2) the state from which the senator comes is a state that typically elects Democrats. Same for anyone from the House of Representatives.

But am I forgetting someone? Has there been a senator named for a cabinet position other than Clinton? (Not counting Biden, of course.)

KSigkid · #3 12-01-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

But am I forgetting someone? Has there been a senator named for a cabinet position other than Clinton? (Not counting Biden, of course.)

I don't think so - the only other name that came to mind was Daschle, and he has been a lobbyist since he was defeated in his 2004 re-election bid, I think.

RU OX Alum · #4 12-01-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

It varies from state to state, but in all but a few states, the governor will appoint someone to finish the term of the senator-named-cabinet secretary.

You can be pretty sure that Obama will not recruit anyone from the Senate unless (1) the governor of the state from which the senator comes is a Democrat who will appoint a Democrat to finish the term and (2) the state from which the senator comes is a state that typically elects Democrats. Same for anyone from the House of Representatives.

But am I forgetting someone? Has there been a senator named for a cabinet position other than Clinton? (Not counting Biden, of course.)

Dachelle, I think, or however you spell it. I thought I read something about him being maybe Atorney General or Sec. of Commerence or something.

KSigkid · #5 12-01-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

Dachelle, I think, or however you spell it. I thought I read something about him being maybe Atorney General or Sec. of Commerence or something.

See my post above - he's going to be the HHS Secretary, but he was voted out of the Senate in 2004 and has been working as a lobbyist for Alston & Bird (a large law firm) since that time.

RU OX Alum · #6 12-01-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSigkid

See my post above - he's going to be the HHS Secretary, but he was voted out of the Senate in 2004 and has been working as a lobbyist for Alston & Bird (a large law firm) since that time.

yeah, i read after i posted, sorry. and thanks.

RU OX Alum · #7 12-01-2008, 04:01 PM

and for anyone who might think it interesting, check out the names on this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAVE_Act

I know it's wiki, but I wanted to be neutral.

RU OX Alum · #8 12-02-2008, 10:59 AM

^^^
yeah, I think he'll do okay