A Possible Rubio Cabinet?

Lincoln with his "Cabinet of Rivals"

It is upsetting to watch the current Republican matchup in the US, for the rare reason that there are too many good candidates. Sad that only one of them can win the nomination, let alone the presidency. My sense of loss was heightened by the recent withdrawals of Rick Perry and Scott Walker, both of whom had every right to be considered prime presidential material.

But on the bright side, just think of what the eventual nominee, if he or she takes the presidency, might have to work with as cabinet lumber. "Carpy Deyum," as we used to say at good old Gananoque Secondary School. Here are some suggestions for seizing the opportunity:

President: Marco Rubio. He looks like having the best chance to unite the various strands of the party. He should play well against any of Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, or Joe Biden, projecting youthful energy. He nails down Florida, a swing state. He's got charisma. He shows he knows his stuff.

Vice-President: John Kasich. For reasons given elsewhere: he perfectly balances Rubio and may nail down a second crucial swing state, Ohio. Also great on TV.

Secretary of State: Jeb Bush. I admit this is something of a consolation prize. As the favourite of the party establishment, I feel you cannot offer him anything less. He has the connections to do a good job with this. He will be respected by allies. Calmness in this role is a plus.

Homeland Security: Carly Fiorina. She radiates reassurance, a sense of being on top of things. In this role, she would benefit from echoes of the popular character played by Clare Danes in the current series Homeland. Good place for a bit of a fire-breather.

Treasury: Mitt Romney. God knows, this is where they need a turnaround specialist. Again, like a good neo-classic bank design, Romney projects calm reassurance.

Defense: John McCain. McCain was born for this, if he'll take it. I think he might. It would make a good career cap after his many years in the Senate. Wouldn't we all feel more secure with John McCain in charge of the military?

Commerce: Rick Perry. Perry did an outstanding job boosting business and employment in Texas. Let him bring the same skills to the national level. He's a salesman.

Energy: Newt Gingrich. We need to slot Gingrich somewhere around the cabinet table; he's the ultimate idea guy, and a cabinet needs an idea guy. He could fit in lots of places, but energy policy has been a special interest of his.

Education: Bobby Jindal. Jindal is a past president of the University of Louisiana; he knows the field. His work on school vouchers in Louisiana is impressive. And he may need a career parachute, given that his popularity in Louisiana has declined recently.

Labor: Scott Walker. Let him implement the labour platform he announced just before dropping out of the race. He's the tough guy you need to do it, too.

Attorney-General: Rudy Giuliani. He's a prosecutor at heart. Again, a voice we want around the cabinet table, and a reassuring presence to the public. Let him clean up the US the way he cleaned up New York.

Interior: Sarah Palin. She has shown her love of the outdoors. Her media presence makes her a great spokeswoman.

Health and Human Services: Ben Carson, of course. Obviously, we want this guy in the cabinet, and this is what his background suggests.

Housing and Urban Development: Donald Trump. As obvious as Carson, above. Of course, Trump will probably refuse the position. If so, give it to George Pataki. He's looking for something.

Agriculture: Mike Huckabee. If this position is too lowly for him, Thaddeus McCotter. Anyone remember him? A House Rep, he ran for president in 2012, then failed to even qualify for the Republican primary for his congressional seat. He's a city boy, but I think he has the proper corn-pone presence to resonate with farmers. He's just fun to listen to.

Transportation: we need someone managerial and business-minded, but without any ties to any particluar  branch of tranportation, for fear of favour. So how about Herman Cain?

Veterans' Affairs: bring back David Petraeus. He has paid for his sins, and his great talents ought not to go to waste. He can move up later.

White House Chief of Staff: Dick Cheney. If he'd do it, he knows the ins and outs better than anyone else alive. One hopes he might agree as a public and party service to serve at least for the first year or two to ease the transition.

Not everyone is on the list. On the whole, I have tried to avoid pulling people who are already doing fine in some elected position--we are using them well enough there. So, nothing for Ted Cruz, or Lindsay Graham, The one obvious exception is Scott Walker, becvasue his labour policy is just too good to let go. And Rubio and Kasich have already made their choices to move up if they can.