CNN is reporting the following:
Barack Obama’s top choice for secretary of homeland security is Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, multiple sources say
If Napolitano does indeed accept this job, that both removes her from contention for a 2010 Senate race, and also would move up Republican Jan Brewer, Arizona’s Secretary of State, into the Governor’s mansion. Brewer is already mentioned as a likely candidate for Governor in 2010, so this would obviously give her a big leg up for the entire field.
(Hat-tip: sulthernao)
UPDATE (David): Politico is saying it’s a done deal. This is lame.
Im very bummed about this. This means we lose a governorship and we also dont get the Arizona Senate seat. Not a good choice for Obama.
DHS is hardly a prestige job, though I guess horrible stewardship under Bush means this department needs as much help as it can get. But you don’t need a “name” person like Napolitano to do it.
With AZ getting new seats after the 2010 census, this seems like a terrible move.
It bleeds into so many other departments (Defense, Commerce, Interior, Transportation, even HUD) and basically serves no overall purpose.
Michael Chertoff can’t even build a fence right.
Was HUD Secretary from 2001-2003. Resigned to run for the open Senate seat.
If McCain doesn’t retire, it’s doubtful that Napolitano would’ve challenged him anyways. But, when we’re low on Senate seats and a certain popular former governor runs against a certain Jon Kyl in 2012 when a certain someone is running for president where there isn’t an Arizona native on the ballot…
She’s being smart by not challenging McCain. Weakened by the presidential race or not, he’s still a stronger candidate than Jon Kyl. Assuming Obama remains popular, Arizona will become a swing state in 2012, so she’s betting on a more favorable environment and a weaker opponent (minority whip or not) to take on.
What about Gary Hart or Warren Rudman? Bad move to throw away the Governorship of any state. More pissed about that than what it means for any future senate race.
I know we all follow the political implications, but, to me, the most important thing for Obama is to govern wisely and effectively. To do that, he needs the best people for his cabinet. Sucks to lose a governorship for two years, but these are secondary considerations to what’s really important.
This goes beyond the Senate. Homeland Security would give Napolitano “war” creds. Add that “half” to her executive/domestic “half” and you get an ideally qualified candidate for President who will be only 59 in 2016. I wonder if this is an Obama block on Hillary.
Text of Janet Napolitano’s speech upon returning to Arizona in 2017 after serving 8 years protecting our beloved homeland:
“It won’t be easy, you’ll think it strange
When I try to explain how I feel
That I still need your love after all that I’ve done
You won’t believe me
All you will see is a girl you once knew
Although she’s dressed up to the nines
At sixes and sevens with you
I had to let it happen, I had to change
Couldn’t stay all my life down at heel
Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun
So I chose freedom
Running around, trying everything new
But nothing impressed me at all
I never expected it to
[Chorus:]
Don’t cry for me Arizona
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don’t keep your distance
And as for fortune, and as for fame
I never invited them in
Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired
They are illusions
They are not the solutions they promised to be
The answer was here all the time
I love you and hope you love me
Don’t cry for me Arizona
[chorus]
Have I said too much?
There’s nothing more I can think of to say to you.
But all you have to do is look at me to know
That every word is true”
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics…
However, I wouldn’t be so certain about the Governorship. AG Terry Goddard (Dem) is wildly popular. If anything, this turns a race with Goddard heavily favored into a tossup between him and Brewer.
However, it’s gonna be a crap two years for Arizonans, what with the Republicans extending their control over the state legislature and now a Republican governor to help them screw over the state.
Does anyone know what her position is on immigration? I’d like to know how she governed Arizona on that issue. She isn’t one of those hardasses who will support building a border fence and deporting people is she?