Vice President Kamala Harris has revealed that she plans to appoint a Republican to her Cabinet if she wins the 2024 presidential election.
Speaking to Dana Bash in an interview on CNN, she said, “I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican.”
Harris is following a long tradition of bipartisan governance in U.S. politics. President George W. Bush appointed Democrat Norman Mineta as Secretary of Transportation, and President Barack Obama retained Republican Robert Gates as his Secretary of Defense, who served in the same role under Bush.
So: which Republican might she pick? Newsweek asked the generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool, ChatGPT to identify some likely contenders.
The prompt we used read: “Kamala Harris said she would appoint a Republican to her cabinet if she won the presidency. Give me a list of five likely Republicans she might pick and why they would be good options and suggest which Cabinet role they could do.”
Which Republican Does ChatGPT Think Harris Should Have in Her Cabinet?
ChatGPT responded: If Kamala Harris were to win the presidency and fulfill her commitment to appoint a Republican to her Cabinet, she would likely look for a moderate or centrist Republican with a history of bipartisan cooperation. Here are five Republicans she might consider, along with their potential Cabinet roles and why they would be good options:
1. Lisa Murkowski
- Role: Secretary of the Interior
- Why: As a long-serving Senator from Alaska, Lisa Murkowski has extensive experience in energy, natural resources, and environmental policy, making her well-suited for the role of Secretary of the Interior. She has a reputation for independence and bipartisanship, often crossing party lines on key issues. Her moderate stance and focus on environmental conservation, balanced with energy development, align with potential Democratic priorities in managing public lands and resources.
2. John Kasich
- Role: Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Why: John Kasich, former Governor of Ohio, has a strong track record in health care reform and was one of the few Republicans to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. His experience in managing state-level health systems and his moderate views on health policy could make him an effective Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kasich’s pragmatic approach and commitment to bipartisan solutions would be valuable in addressing the nation’s health care challenges.
3. Mitt Romney
- Role: Secretary of State
- Why: Mitt Romney, the Senator from Utah and former Republican presidential nominee, has significant experience in both domestic and international affairs. His moderate and statesmanlike demeanor would be assets in diplomatic relations. Romney has been critical of partisan divides and has demonstrated a willingness to collaborate across the aisle, which would be important in restoring U.S. diplomatic credibility and leadership on the global stage.
4. Susan Collins
- Role: Secretary of Commerce
- Why: Susan Collins, the Senator from Maine, has a strong background in business and economic policy, making her a suitable candidate for Secretary of Commerce. Known for her centrist positions and ability to broker deals between parties, Collins could help promote economic growth, innovation, and trade policies that reflect a balanced approach to both business interests and worker protections. Her experience on the Senate Appropriations Committee also adds to her qualifications for managing economic policy.
5. Ben Sasse
- Role: Secretary of Education
- Why: Ben Sasse, a former Senator from Nebraska, has a background in education and a reputation as a thoughtful conservative who often criticized his own party’s leadership. He served as the president of Midland University and has been vocal about the need for reform in the U.S. education system. Sasse’s academic background and experience in educational administration would make him a strong candidate for Secretary of Education, where he could pursue reforms that balance innovation with traditional educational values.
These selections would not only bring bipartisan perspectives to Harris’s administration but also tap into the expertise and moderate approaches of these Republicans, potentially fostering greater national unity.
Newsweek then asked ChatGPT, ‘Which Republicans might Kamala Harris not choose?’
Chat GPT responded: Kamala Harris would likely avoid choosing Republicans who are highly polarizing, have strong ties to the Trump administration, or have consistently opposed Democratic policies in ways that could undermine her administration’s goals. Here are some Republicans she might be unlikely to choose:
1. Ted Cruz
- Why Not: Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas, is a polarizing figure with a strong conservative ideology. He has been a vocal critic of Democratic policies and was closely aligned with the more divisive elements of the Republican Party during the Trump administration. His combative style and partisan approach would likely be at odds with Harris’ agenda and her goal of fostering bipartisanship.
2. Josh Hawley
- Why Not: Josh Hawley, Senator from Missouri, has been a leading figure in the populist wing of the Republican Party and played a significant role in challenging the 2020 election results. His positions on many issues are far from Harris’s platform, and his association with the more extreme elements of the GOP makes him an unlikely choice for a Cabinet position in a Harris administration.
3. Marjorie Taylor Greene
- Why Not: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Congresswoman from Georgia, is known for her far-right views, conspiracy theories, and controversial statements. Her alignment with the most extreme elements of the Republican Party and her antagonistic approach to politics would make her an impossible choice for a position in a Harris administration seeking to unite the country and govern from a more moderate stance.
4. Ron DeSantis
- Why Not: Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, has built a national profile as a staunch conservative and culture warrior, often positioning himself in direct opposition to Democratic policies, particularly on issues like COVID-19, education, and immigration. His confrontational style and policy positions would likely be seen as incompatible with Harris’s agenda.
5. Jim Jordan
- Why Not: Jim Jordan, Congressman from Ohio, is a key figure in the conservative Freedom Caucus and has been one of the most vocal defenders of Trump. His aggressive, partisan approach and strong opposition to many Democratic initiatives make him an unlikely choice for any role in a Harris Cabinet.
The AI tool added: “These figures are unlikely to be considered by Harris because their political ideologies, actions, and public personas are in stark contrast to the collaborative, moderate, and bipartisan image she might seek to project in her administration.”
Newsweek has reached out to the Harris campaign and the key Republican politicians mentioned in this article via email for comment.
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