2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumJanet Napolitano: A woman to watch for 2016
Posted by Karen Tumulty on February 4, 2013 at 3:16 pm
So, what happens if Hillary Clinton doesnt run in 2016?
It is hard to imagine the presidential field without a woman contender, and heres one to keep your eye on: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Napolitano is quietly making it known that she is considering the race, and there is reason to take her seriously.
Before coming to Washington, Napolitano was a highly regarded and very popular governor in Arizona, a state not known as a hospitable one for Democrats. In 2005, Time Magazine named her one of the nations five best governors, noting: Positioning herself as a no-nonsense, pro-business centrist, she has worked outside party lines since coming to office in January 2003 to re-energize a state that, under her predecessors, was marked by recession and scandal.
While in Arizona, she was criticized for not being aggressive enough in dealing with the influx of illegal immigrants. But her more recent job gives her an opportunity to change that image. This week, for instance, finds her on a high-profile tour of the southwest border, where she will highlight the stepped-up resources that the Obama administration has been devoting to reducing the flow of illegal entrants to this country.
Still, running for the White House from the cabinet is not an easy thing to do. Not since then-Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover did it in 1928 has anyone successfully made the leap from the presidents cabinet to the Oval Office.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2013/02/04/janet-napolitano-a-woman-to-watch-for-2016/
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Not sure, but interesting nonetheless.
reteachinwi
(579 posts)From 2009
" U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that the combination of environmental factors that echo the 1990s, including heightened interest in legislation for tighter firearms restrictions and returning military veterans, as well as several new trends, including an uncertain economy and a perceived rising influence of other countries, may be invigorating rightwing extremist activity, specifically the white supremacist and militia movements. To the extent that these factors persist, rightwing extremism is likely to grow in strength."
http://www.wnd.com/images/dhs-rightwing-extremism.pdf
Sorry about the source. She was forced to retract this report by Pete Hoekstra, but she was right.
TroyD
(4,551 posts)For a variety of reasons.
1. Has very little name recognition nationally outside of Arizona and a small number of people who actually know Obama's other cabinet members.
2. Hasn't run for elected office since her 2006 re-election campaign and may be rusty on the campaign trail and in terms of ability to connect with voters.
3. Has never been married or had children. America has not elected a bachelor President since Buchanan in the 1800's. You have to be married with children to be President - part of the 'family image' required by our culture. Not saying it's fair, but that's been the reality so far.
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)former9thward
(32,030 posts)Current Homeland Security stockpile is two billion rounds. Note: Hollow point is not used in target practice. She apparently is expecting to kill a lot of people in the 'Homeland'.
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=7b5c06fb36a4ab38763d05c4ebeac203&_cview=0
Hekate
(90,737 posts)Really, I'd be curious to know how this compares with previous administrations; I don't have a very good picture of the bureaucratic structure of Homeland Security.
former9thward
(32,030 posts)But the way various agencies and departments are arming themselves bothers me. They are buying ammo and equipment to be small armies. For example I live in a large college town which is very peaceful. I examined the police budget and found they were buying 20,000 rounds of ammo per officer per year! Insane! I wrote a letter to the police chief about it and he called me and slashed the budget for ammo by 50% but it is still a ridiculous amount.
Hekate
(90,737 posts)I think so.
As for HS, I wonder if they are in an arms race with the civilians -- and the only ones benefitting would be the manufacturers, selling to all sides and laughing all the way to the bank located in the bowels of Hell.
former9thward
(32,030 posts)The average cop is loathe to go to the range more than the annual requirement. So that still left 19,950 rounds per officer -- and ammo does not waste away. If stored properly it can last decades. The average cop here never fires his/her gun in the line of duty their whole career.