The political tides have shifted their focus from the longest presidential race in history to the assembly of the next administration's Cabinet. Three words have rung louder than the rest: team of rivals."" This phrase may be catchy, but President-elect Barack Obama seems to be building a team of experts, first and foremost.
The phrase ""team of rivals"" comes from historian Doris Kearns Goodwin's book of the same name. Obama lists the book as one of his favorites, claiming it would be his choice if allowed only one book in the White House library.
A slew of historians came out to question Obama's strategy of assembling a modern-day team of rivals, citing the dysfunctional nature of Abraham Lincoln's cabinet. Historian Douglas Brinkley questioned the reliance upon Lincoln's choices in an article in last week's Boston Globe. ""I question the entire concept of 'Team of Rivals' being sound,"" Brinkley said. ""It's not organic, and it's not realistic. It's a very ethereal idea being played on a high level, and it's based on a false historical analogy.""
Lincoln struggled to control the actions of his Cabinet members, many who carried considerable political clout. Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase was the most vocal in his opposition to Lincoln and ran a campaign to bar Lincoln's re-nomination for the presidency during his first term. Obama may have followed Lincoln's lead by nominating several candidates who ran against him in the primaries, but these candidates were nominated due to their expertise and not solely because they were Obama's rivals.
""The lesson is to not let your ego or grudges get in the way of hiring absolutely the best people,"" Obama said in an interview with Time Magazine's Joe Klein. ""I don't want to have people who just agree with me. I want people who are continually pushing me out of my comfort zone.""
It is refreshing to hear those words from the 44th president. The streamlined views of the current administration will be no more and enlightened argument will return to the oval office. Differing views may emit a scent of dysfunction, but each candidate underwent a thorough vetting process and Obama has repeatedly stated that the buck will stop with him. It is highly unlikely that a candidate would have secured a Cabinet nomination if they had any intent on setting their own agenda.
Monday morning's press conference revealed an all-star cast of experienced scholars who are poised to combine their skills in building a formidable national security team.
U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-NY, was nominated as Secretary of State. Obama and Clinton will form a powerful one-two punch when deliberating with foreign countries. It will be tough to go against foreign policy objectives that are delivered by two of the most recognizable and well-liked American faces on the international stage.
Susan Rice's nomination as Ambassador to the United Nations brings a wealth of experience to the Cabinet, as well. Rice worked for the State Department under Clinton and is an expert in African affairs. Although Rice has faced criticism for her connection to the lack of response in the 1994 Rwanda genocide, she responded in a 2001 interview with the Atlantic Monthly. ""I swore to myself that if I ever faced such a crisis again, I would come down on the side of dramatic action - going down in flames if that was required.""
Attorney General nominee Eric Holder is known for his tough stances on government misconduct and opposition to the expansion of executive powers during the Bush administration. The continued service of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will bring stability and experience to the war department. The nominations of General James Jones as national security adviser and Gov. Janet Napolitano, D-Ariz., as secretary of homeland security also infuse a wealth of experience in the foreign policy and immigration sectors.
The economic team that Obama has assembled brings a great deal of knowledge to his side, and if Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., were to secure a spot as secretary of commerce the United States of America would have one of the most skilled Cabinets in history. Richardson's success in rebuilding New Mexico's infrastructure and familiarity in negotiating with North Korea, Sudan, Iraq and Cuba would be the icing on the cake.
Has Obama assembled his Cabinet based on the concept of building a team of rivals or a team of experts? Arguments can be made for both sides, but the roster that has been assembled so far looks like a proverbial dream team. One can only hope that this next administration will be as successful on the international stage as NBA rivals Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson were when they played together under the same banner in the early 90s.
Tom Hart is a senior majoring in political science and history. Please send responses to opinion@dailycaridnal.com.
