SHOULD OBAMA ASSEMBLE A "TEAM OF RIVALS?"

From the My Space entry from Hillary Clinton, she lists her last book read as Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Team Of Rivals." Upon investigating this book, I can certainly see why. It chronicles a bitter campaign Lincoln eventually won, then his foresight to "keep his friends close, and his enemies closer" by giving them prominent posts in his cabinet.Here is a brief synopsis of the main focus of Goodwin's book....

"These men, all accomplished, nationally known, and presidential, originally disdained Lincoln for his backwoods upbringing and lack of experience, and were shocked and humiliated at losing to this relatively obscure Illinois lawyer. Yet Lincoln not only convinced them to join his administration--Seward as secretary of state, Chase as secretary of the treasury, and Bates as attorney general--he ultimately gained their admiration and respect as well. How he soothed egos, turned rivals into allies, and dealt with many challenges to his leadership, all for the sake of the greater good, is largely what Goodwin's fine book is about. Had he not possessed the wisdom and confidence to select and work with the best people, she argues, he could not have led the nation through one of its darkest periods. "

Interesting, yes, until you read on about one of the "team of rival," one William Seward. Could Hillary possibly see a correlation between herself and Seward? I certain can. Given that it is the 200 year anniversary of Lincoln, and the two major candidates are considering Lincoln Douglas like debates, one can only infer that she will be sending Obama a copy of this book, in the hopes that he can take a hint......

William H. Seward A celebrated senator from New York for more than a decade and governor of his state for two terms before going to Washington, Seward was certain he was going to receive his party's nomination for president in 1860. The weekend before the convention in Chicago opened he had already composed a first draft of the valedictory speech he expected to make to the Senate, assuming that he would resign his position as soon as the decision in Chicago was made. His mortification at not having received the nomination never fully abated, and when he was offered his cabinet post as secretary of state he intended to have a major role in choosing the remaining cabinet members, conferring upon himself a position in the new government more commanding than that of Lincoln himself. He quickly realized the futility of his plan to relegate the president to a figurehead role. Though the feisty New Yorker would continue to debate numerous issues with Lincoln in the years ahead, exactly as Lincoln had hoped and needed him to do, Seward would become his closest friend, advisor, and ally in the administration. More than any other cabinet member Seward appreciated Lincoln's peerless skill in balancing factions both within his administration and in the country at large.