As a guest Sunday on the CBS program "Face the Nation," McCain claimed some of his Cabinet choices -- if elected -- will be asked to work for just a single dollar. Does that mean McCain will be shopping the dollar stores for Cabinet members? That's not probable ... if he even knows there is such a thing as dollar stores.
"We've got to have people who are the best and the brightest. And I'll tell you, some of them, I'll ask to work for a dollar a year. They've made enough money," McCain told Bob Schieffer of CBS News.
What does this say about McCain? Does it mean he knows how to get the best for the least? Or does it say that the wealthy Republican is sticking with the stereotypical profile of the Republican Party? Is that really the way to usher in the "change" both he and his running mate -- Governor Sarah Palin -- spoke of at their convention in St. Paul? Is that really the way to court voters?
But let's not forget to hear the rest of his conversation with Schieffer regarding the Cabinet in a potential McCain administration.
"I can tell you, in all due respect to previous administrations, it's not going to be a single, you know, 'Well, we have a Democrat.' It's going to be the best people in America, the smartest people in America. So many of these problems we face -- for example, energy independence. What's partisan about that," explained McCain.
This may actually open the door for McCain's longtime friend, Senator Joe Lieberman, to enter the Cabinet. Lieberman ran for Vice President in 2000 as a Democrat. He is listed as an "Independent Democrat," sits with the Democratic caucus, and told Republican convention-goers in his address that he is a "Democrat." It will be interesting to see if he is still a Democrat after the election, and if he is still a member of the U.S. Senate come January.
The word most often used by the 72-year old Republican presidential candidate when discussing the administration he envisions is bi- partisan. He uses it in speaking of his experience and his record on Capitol Hill. His running mate uses in when speaking of McCain. And both use the word partisan in speaking of Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama. It's one root word, used so many ways in one election.
"Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed," said McCain in his acceptance speech. "That's how I will govern as president. I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again. I have the record and the scares to prove it. Senator Obama does not," he continued.
"Instead of rejecting good ideas because we didn't think of them first, let's use the best ideas from both sides. Instead of fighting over who gets the credit, let's try sharing it," he said in St. Paul.
"This amazing country can do anything we put our minds to. I will ask Democrats and Independents to serve with me. And my administration will set a new standard for transparency and accountability," McCain added.
The labels Democrat and Independent, when put together by McCain, may actually spell the name Lieberman ... the colleague McCain would have liked to have had as vice president, who may have a Cabinet position in a McCain administration, and may have a different outlook on his career if there is an Obama administration.
" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"
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