Snowe rules out serving in McCain’s cabinet

By Jessica Alaimo, PolitickerME.com Reporter

Snowe and McKernan: Olympia Snowe and John McKernan at the Maine Republican Convention in May. Politicker file photo. Snowe and McKernan: Olympia Snowe and John McKernan at the Maine Republican Convention in May. Politicker file photo.MINNEAPOLIS -- U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe said she would not take a job in presidential nominee John McCain’s administration if given the opportunity.

“No,” she said when asked by PolitickerME Wednesday. “I like what I’m doing in the Senate.”

However, had she been offered the vice presidency she would have “seriously considered it,” though she was never asked.

Snowe and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins are both close to McCain. Several Republican leaders have speculated that they would be on the top of McCain’s list for a cabinet job, if the Republican is elected.

If one were to get pulled to the executive branch before her term was up, the governor would appoint a replacement to serve until the state is able to hold an election. Therefore, if they were appointed in the next two years, it wouldn’t be in the best interests of the Republican Party – as Gov. John Baldacci would most likely pick a Democrat.

Snowe’s term is up in 2012, and said it’s too early to give thought to running for reelection. Collins is running for reelection this year and faces a tough challenge from U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland).

“They’re both leaders in the Senate, and clearly well respected…” said Maine’s National Committeeman Richard Bennett. “It certainly could happen. I know they both enjoy serving in the Senate, but I can see why John McCain would want them in his cabinet.”

Given the close margins in the U.S. Senate, Bennett said it would be unlikely for one of them to give up their seat under a Democratic governor.

“It may be unlikely that one of them will be tapped in the early years of a McCain administration,” Bennett said.

Maine House Republican Leader Josh Tardy (R-Newport) said both Snowe and Collins are both very popular among their constituents, and very influential in Washington.

“It would be very reasonable to assume that they would be on a bunch of short lists,” Tardy said.

Another Maine politician close to McCain is former Gov. John “Jock” McKernan, who is married to Snowe. He said Thursday that he would do anything he could to help McCain, but would rather do so on a part-time basis.

Maine’s U.S. Senators have a history of moving on to bigger and better things in politics. Democrat George Mitchell served as Senate Majority Leader in 1989, and in 1995 became active in the Northern Ireland peace process as US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland. Democrat Edmund Muskie was U.S. Secretary of State in 1980 and ran for President in 1972. Republican Bill Cohen was Secretary of Defense in 1997. Republican Margaret Chase Smith became the first woman to be nominated for President on the floor of the Republican National Convention in 1964, losing to Barry Goldwater. Hannibal Hamlin was vice president in 1961.

“I wouldn’t be too surprised to see either of them run for Governor or move on to something bigger and better,” said former Maine Republican National Committeewoman Karen Raye.

JESSICA ALAIMO is a PolitickerME.com Reporter and can be reached via email at jessica.alaimo@politickerme.com.

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Comments

She also announced

posted by cranky

... that she will turn down offers from any little green men who arrive in flying saucers this year.

She knows there will not BE any McCain administration, so this is an easy declaration to make.

09/06/08 10:12 pm

I like what I’m doing in the Senate

posted by Anonymous101

“No,” she said when asked by PolitickerME Wednesday. “I like what I’m doing in the Senate.”

Glad she likes what she does- most of the Republicans I know wish she'd just go be a Democrat. She votes with them often enough.

09/08/08 9:55 am

The real question is: will

posted by Anonymous2

The real question is: will she run for Senate again in 2012? I have heard that she will not, I would be very interested in her response.

09/08/08 10:51 am

Politics First and Country Last = McCain-palin

posted by COl. A.M.Khajawall [Ret[

Dear concerned citizens of America and mass media of the U.S.A.{ Politics First and Country Last}

As a concerned disabled American Veteran and American citizen, I consider it my duty and responsibility to address the following critical issues facing the voters of our Greatgrand nation, the United States of America [USA].

The citizens of the United States of America [USA] have the ultimate power and responsibility to elect the Right Ticket with the right joint "temperament, judgement, and statesmanship" to lead our nation as well as change our nation's present and future moral, political, economic, educational, health care, energy, military, and foundational soul.
In my firm professional, personal, and political opinion, the media should help the common voter to explore and discuss the following attributes of the present Republican and Democratic presidential slates:
1. Does the joint ticket have a calm, cool, and collected " temper and impulse" [Presidential Temperament]?
2. Does each ticket have sound and sustained "Judgment and Caliber"?
3. Does each ticket have a "presidential depth and degree" in regard to their purpose, policies, and positions?
4. Does each ticket have adequate, "understanding and knowledge" of workings around Washington"?
5. Does each ticket have enough "vigor, wisdom and Vision" for the future of our beloved Great-grand Nation?
6. Does each ticket possess enough joint foreign policy experience and exposure based on "American Values, Virtues, Vastness, and strong soul"?
7. Are their campaign talk, slogans, ads, plans, and programs based on facts and are they free of fear, fiction, frivolous labels, unfair attacks, negativity, and impulsivity? [Danger to country and countries mission[s].
8. Does the ticket keep country or politics first? [McCain stole Obama's change and is running with it.]

As a Independent registered voter I have decided to vote for the Obama-Biden ticket. I am sure they will protect our national security, strengths, stamina and soul as well as rebuild our nation from the bottom up in all areas of need. The OBAMA-BIDEN ticket will restore our global standing with the use of maximum, firm international diplomacy and minimal force if and when indicated.

Yours sincerely,

COL. A.M. Khajawall [Ret] MD., Forensic psychiatrist, Colonel, US-AR / MC Combat Stress Control[Ret], Disabled American Veteran and Iraq Freedom team.

PS: This nation will not buy into the kitchen sink strategy. We are getting deeper into internal and external holes through these attacks and the world is laughing at us as they enjoy our partisan Pitt Bull wounds inflicted on hard working Americans. So called Maverick McCain has put polities First and Country Last by impulsively choosing Saran Palin as his running mate. A heart beat away form presidency. His this act further confirms that he is impulsive, stubborn, temperamental, and self aggrandizement. Bad for America aand all around.

09/08/08 4:16 pm