No Franken Way!

The Minnesota state Canvassing Board appears ready to announce Al Franken as the winner of the 2008 Senatorial election over Norm Coleman. The latest media reports show a 225 vote lead for Franken. The December 30th report from the office of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie (D) shows a 49 vote lead for Franken.

According to Minnesota state law, an election cannot be certified if there is pending litigation challenging the outcome of the election. The Canvassing Board and SECSTATE Ritchie can announce Franken as the winner of the recount but that does not complete the process.

Coleman has file a lawsuit over 650 duplicate ballots that were improperly rejected. He may pursue a case against broader counting errors and the process all together. As today's WSJ points out, there is some funny business in the counting results. "...one Canvassing Board member, State Supreme Court Justice G. Barry Anderson, has acknowledged that "very likely there was a double counting." Yet the board insists that it lacks the authority to question local officials..."

Until this litigation is settled, SECSTATE Mark Ritchie is bound by law to withhold Certification. I will not be surprised if he proceeds in contradiction. However, Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) also has to sign the official Certification, which I doubt he will do unless there is absolute determination of the victor.

Meanwhile, as of this past Saturday Senator Coleman's term has expired and seat is now vacant. So the Democratic Senators, most notably Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), want to seat Al Franken until the vacancy is filled. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has said "Sen. Schumer's exultations are premature to say the least." and promises to filibuster any attempt to fill seat without state certification.

I am impressed! I figured it would take the Democrats at least 3 months to draw their divisive line in the sand. This will be the catalyst for Republican backlash against their power playing. Queue the filibusters! The honeymoon of working together under a new administration is over before it starts. Thank you!!

Signing off...JCB Sphere: Related Content

Article I, Section 6

"No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office."

So the question President-elect Obama has got to ask himself is "Is Sen. Clinton eligible to be Secretary of State?" By a normal reading of our law of the land, it would seem not! Of course, I concur that a President should be allowed, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint high officials of his (or her) choosing. Still, if the Constitution is in direct conflict with opinion (even the President's), then the Constitution wins out! Sphere: Related Content

Obama's National Security Team

As Liberals shreeek at the media-labelled "centrist" cabinet, it is time for them ask, what is Obama's Management style? Don't know? Not sure? Confused...?

Let me help you out. Obama is either a top-down or bottom-up leader. In top-down fashion, he will dictate policy and his cabinet secretaries will execute on message. In bottom-up fashion, they will collaboratively form policy, his will be the voice, and they will execute. Bush was a bottom-up guy, he relied on the best and brightest to brainstorm ideas and then in a corporate style reviewed the options and he made a decision. I get the feeling Obama will be doing the same except with more group decision oriented approach. Having no business experience, it will not be a surprise for him to take a legislative approach. He and his team will gather and whoever is most persuasive will probably define more policy.

An interesting diversion from the past is that we may have a stronger voice in SECSTATE than SECDEF. Not to say that Gates is a pushover, he definitely doesn't seem that way. But when next to Hillary, Obama and his political team will be susceptible to the Clinton aura. There has long been an intra-cabinet fight for power between SECDEF and SECSTATE. Not since Kissinger has there been a stronger persona to reclaim SECSTATE status which has been waining the past few decades. Always an important position in the cabinet, SECDEF has a dominating budget and AOR (area of responsibility).

Jim Jones and Janet Napolitano round out this interesting cast of characters on Obama's National Security Team. Jim Jones is an interesting pick for ANSA, as he is not confirmed by Congress. He is likely a counter-punch to Hillary, known as a strong negotiator with a non-confrontational style. Seen as a rising star in the Democratic party, Janet's credentials for Homeland Security seem weak and more appropriate for Attorney General. Known to be a good Manager, she will likely have a little voice amongst the booms of Gates and Clinton.

It is smart to keep Gates on. He can successfully execute the closer or Iraq and give Obama the cover he needs to see it through the end of the negotiated SOFA (2011). He has a partnership with Petraeus and respect across party lines that Barack will need in order to win the long war in Afghanistan. Plus, he has the personality needed to make the drastic defense cuts Barack will need in order to deliver on his campaign promises. Gates will be there for 12-18 months and then replaced.

It is said that an Administrations policies are as successful as the cabinet personalities. The question is whether Obama can herd these cats towards his goals. Meanwhile, his appointments have the Liberal Sharks in a tizzy!!

Signing off...JCB Sphere: Related Content