Shadow Government

If the key to winning the election for Kerry is projecting an image of responsible leadership and seamless administrative transition in the war, Kerry could go some distance towards that victory by employing a traditional tactic in British politics. Namely, he could appoint shadow secretaries to the various cabinet posts. There's no shortage of senior, respected Democrats, some of them in academia, and they should be included in a shadow cabinet as soon as possible. We're looking at Wesley Clark for Defense, Richard Holbrooke or Joe Biden for State, (obviously) Max Cleland for Veterans' Affairs, Robert Rubin (or somebody very much like him) for Treasury, I'd suggest Theodore Marmor for Labor, etc.

So I'll be accepting proposals for shadow officials. One thing to be sure of: no skeletons and no closets; if it's done carelessly, it'll turn into a huge cock-up faster than you can say Brit Hume.