Lugar rules out cabinet job

Posted: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 12:16 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Congress, Republicans

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell
GOP Sen. Richard Lugar says he does not want to be Secretary of State or to join the Obama cabinet in another capacity. In response to speculation that Obama was considering Lugar for the State Department, a spokesman says the 76-year-old ranking Republican on Foreign Relations has definitely ruled it out. Lugar's spokesman says the senator has good relations with both Biden and Obama -- and looks forward to improving bipartisan cooperation on foreign policy from his position on the Foreign Relations Committee.

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Comments

As someone from northern Indiana who was awed to see my atate "go blue", I am also a fan of Dick Lugar. I know he will do his best to help bridge the divide inthe Senate.

South Bend, IN (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 12:26 PM)

Sore Loser Lugar shows he has no interest in bipartisanship. He lies when he says he wants to improve bipartisanship by sticking his head in the mud of his petty partisan feelings.

Yes We Did!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 12:36 PM)

Secretary Of State should be Richard Holbrooke(?), the most talented Democratic diplomat in all the years the Dems have been out of the White House, and a key player in during Clinton's administration.

Randy Pitts, Nashville, TN (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 12:38 PM)

Secretary Of State should be Richard Holbrooke(?), the most talented Democratic diplomat in all the years the Dems have been out of the White House, and a key player during Clinton's administration.

Randy Pitts, Nashville, TN (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 12:39 PM)

He'd have been a good choice but the key for Obama is that even if Lugar turns it down Obama can be shown to be reaching across the aisle and trying to keep his word on having a bipartisan government.

Brooke in Fort Mill (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 12:42 PM)

I hardly think Obama was going to pick a 76 year old republican to be in his cabinet...but its kind of cool the old man got thrown a bone for a minute or two...Obama has real grace

Rick, NC (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 12:46 PM)

This is one person I might believe when they say they do not want a cabinet job with Obama, although he would be an excellent choice. The GOP is hurt in the Senate right now, and Lugar probably does not want another seat left vulnerable. Now, having Hagel in an Obama administration would be very welcomed by this Democrat and since he is retiring, there is no real loss there.

Carol, WI (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 12:46 PM)

That's ok Hagel would be a better choice any way, although I respect Lugar, and wouldn't be disappointed if he were in an Obama cabinet.

Sara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 12:52 PM)

So, Lugar doesn't want in. Here comes Gov. Richardson. Outstanding!

Ralph Hamilton, Chama, New Mexico (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 12:57 PM)

I can see Lugar not joining the cabinet of Obama. It is Chuck Hagel that I am more interested in hearing about. He didn't run for re-election and has been frustrated with his party for a while. Do I hear Sec of Defense for him? I wouldn't doubt the possibility of that happening.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 1:01 PM)

I have voted for Dick Lugar in each of his Senate races, meaning I have always split my ticket for him. I have no doubt that President-Elect Obama will still benefit from his experience, knowledge and devotion to bipartisanship. He is a lion of the Senate. I second Ralph's enthusiasm for Gov. Richardson.

Beverly R., Fort Wayne, IN (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 4:27 PM)

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