There’s more than a single strategy that President Elect Obama could employ in selecting members for his cabinet. He could use a technocrat strategy in which experts, highly trained and experienced, would fill each post.
He could employ a line of least resistance strategy, appointing those most likely to be confirmed by the Senate. Such a strategy would very likely be heavy with fellow Senators.
He could employ a political strategy, his appointments being targeted at ensuring his reelection in 2012.
Or he could use some combination of strategies.
The suggestion of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State would seem to be an example of the political strategy. I see little in Sen. Clinton’s background or history that suggests that she is suited by training, experience, or temperament to be a diplomat. Nor is she a skilled administrator. The environment of the senate is generally not one that cultivates team players, especially when you started at the top as Sen. Clinton did.
However, the move would probably be popular with Sen. Clinton’s supporters and probably politically astute on a “keep your friends close…” level.
The cabinet appointments for the new administration will certainly provide interesting fodder for divining relative priorities.
译文:
美国总统的组阁策略
对新当选的美国总统奥巴马来说,组建内阁的策略并非只有唯一一种.他可以采取以技术专家治国的策略,选择训练有素,经验丰富的专家担当每个岗位.
他可以采取最容易被接受的策略,选择那些最有可能被参议院认可的人.这样的策略很有可能造成内阁中共和党的参议员占较大比重.
他可以采取政治性的策略,组建一个能帮助他在2012年连任的领导班子.
或者他也可以采取多种策略的混合体.
任命希拉里克林顿为国务卿的提案看起来就是政治性策略的典型.我略微地了解了希拉里参议员的背景和简史,根据其所接受的训练,经历以及性格脾气来看,她很适合当一名外交官,并非一名老练的行政官员.通常参议院这个大环境不是培养团队工作者的,特别是像希拉里参议员这样从高起点干起的.
然而,这个提案倒是很可能广受希拉里的支持者们的欢迎,也很可能在政治上精明地体现出"与你的朋友并肩作战"的状态.
新一届行政内阁的组建一定会为那些极具吸引力的优先事务提供有趣的铺垫.