BarbinMD's front pager on The Speculation Game already had more than 800 posts when I got to it, and I can't download that kind of 'meat' with my meager dial-up. But I did notice that my favorite for Secretary of State in an Obama administration only got honorable mention after John Kerry, Richard Holbrooke, Chuck Hagel and Sam Nunn. Deal is, Bill Richardson, current second-term governor of New Mexico and recent candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination, is the best, most obvious and most reasonable choice for the position.
Now, I could start citing people I know very well who spent entire careers serving their country in the Foreign Service as diplomats, planners, coordinators and/or paper-pushers. But those people are just so excited about having an administration that may value Talk-Talk more than War-War in our international relations, I doubt they care very much about who Obama picks.
So I'll just cite me. I like Bill Richardson a lot, for a lot of reasons including his age. He's not certifiably ancient. I also like his new goatee. It tones down the slight over-friendliness of his bare face, giving him a certain air of seriousness while at the same time not being beard-elitist. You know the type - prideful intellectual (usually a senior professor) who needs hair implants but sports a Moses-like beard instead. Rather, Bill looks like a lot of our friends and neighbors (and in my case, hubby), yet not out of place with Bandar Bush in a face-down.
Bill Richardson negotiated the release of prisoners from Saddam Hussein, convinced some petty tyrants to step down, and has been face-to-face with many friends and foes on the international stage. He has been nominated 5 times for the Nobel Peace Prize. He managed the Department of Energy. He's been a popular Congressman and state Governor. He is of Hispanic heritage, at a time when our relations with Hispanic neighbors are increasingly important. He plays well with others, is an able manager and coordinator, knows how to delegate as well as choose those helpers carefully.
All in all, Bill Richardson would be an excellent choice for Secretary of State. Perhaps there is a different role for him to play in Obama's administration, but this is the one that most suits his skills and talents. My opinion, I'm sure other Kossacks have other opinions. I just can't see John Kerry in that role. It doesn't suit him at all...