Lugar Turning Down Obama Cabinet Position?
Senator Richard Lugar, before he even had the chance to get asked, may have turned down a potential opportunity to serve in Barack Obama’s cabinet. Though this story appeared on WTHR’s website the day after the election, it does not give any indication as to when the question asked.
Indiana republican Senator Richard Lugar says he is not interested in serving in a Barack Obama White House.
There had been speculation that the next president might select Lugar to serve on his cabinet. But during a recent news conference in South Bend, Lugar made clear he wanted to continue to serve in the Senate.
“I responded to a student question earlier in the day. They were asking whether I was interested in a Cabinet position or some other situation. And I said, ‘No, I’m not,’ because really from the time that I came back from the Navy, tried to save our family business, this is with by brother, a farm and a manufacturing concern, I’ve wanted to be my own boss - an independent spirit. And that I have been able to do as mayor of Indianapolis or as senator. I appreciate that opportunity. I think I can be the greatest value to the country, really giving independent judgments. It’s the best judgment I can give. So whoever it is, whether it’s my friend John McCain or my friend Barack, I’m going to do the best we can when called upon,” he said.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Re-read his comments very carefully. He did not “turn down” anything as your title implies. To the contrary, he merely said he is “not interested.” In Potomac-speak that means absolutely nothing. It’s a textbook “playing-hard-to-get” boilerplate response that in no way precludes him from later accepting a Presidential offer to preside over the Foggy Bottom swamp. Pay not attention to Dick’s humility. It’s merely standard fare.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:27 am
It is also very unclear as to when the statement was made. If it was BEFORE the election, this is exactly what I would expect Lugar (or any politician) to say. We’ll see what plays out now.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:54 am
He might as well become a member of Obama’s administration. Dick Lugar long ago abandoned conservative principles and embraced big government solutions(ethanol subsidies, grotesquely bloated farm bills, trillion dollar bailouts,etc.); solutions that have moved our state and this country significantly towards the socialism of our new president. He might as well come out of the closet.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Yep.
RINO.
Needs to go. Mike Pence can ably replace him.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Actually, I think he may very well choose to remain in the Senate. A telling consideration is that Joe Biden’s principal role in the Administration according to recent statements will likely be in foreign affairs, potentially reducing the importance of the role of secretary of state. Further, with Biden’s exit from the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, the importance of Lugar remaining in place as a sober, informed, and non-ideologically-driven player may increase.
(I think history will show that Pence has achieved his highest office.)
November 6th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Chris, I would have said the same thing about a certain Barack Hussein Obama a couple of years ago. In fact, given his demonstrated level of competence, it’s amazing he’s now our president-elect.
Pence actually is competent, shows up for his job, and doesn’t vote “present”.
I can’t wait for Obama to have his first “oh, sh*t” moment in the Oval Office. I’d bet money Pence would handle it better than Obama will.