A McCain cabinet could bear shades of Teddy Roosevelt

A McCain cabinet sees shades of Teddy Roosevelt: conservatism with eco twist.

ByABC News
February 18, 2008, 8:38 PM

PHOENIX -- Democrats already are regularly attacking John McCain for offering what they characterize as a third George W. Bush term.

But a new Theodore Roosevelt presidency might be closer to the mark.

McCain, the four-term Republican senator from Arizona and presumptive GOP presidential nominee, is promising an administration that reflects "conservative principles, values and vision." He also says his administration would have a powerful environmental bent, in the Roosevelt tradition.

At this early stage, the names and faces that would flesh out a McCain White House remain pure speculation. After all, McCain insists he hasn't started seriously thinking about a running mate yet. And there's still a general election to win against a yet-to-be-determined Democratic opponent. But political experts and analysts already are contemplating what a McCain Cabinet might look like.

Some common guesses include well-known McCain allies and even past rivals in key positions:

Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., in a prominent job, possibly even secretary of state.

Former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., as attorney general.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as homeland security secretary.

Former Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas as treasury secretary.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as health and human services secretary.

For his part, McCain last week said he'd be looking for Cabinet members who "just share my conservative philosophy and views: less government, less regulation, lower taxes." But he also volunteered that conservationism would be a priority, saying he would hope "to preserve the great natural treasures of the West and our state and do whatever we can to protect our environment."

"I return to kind of the Teddy Roosevelt outlook toward things," McCain said.

McCain has long identified Roosevelt, president from 1901 to 1909, as a political idol. Roosevelt made national parks and nature preserves a priority, and McCain has drawn fire from conservative Republicans for opposing oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and for sponsoring legislation to address climate change.