Leah at corrente has an idea about who the Democrats (Tom Daschle actually) should appoint to the 9/11 commission to replace Max Cleland. Cleland is leaving the commission for a position on the Export-Import Bank.
Leah suggests that Daschle appoint one of the outspoken members of the 9/11 victims’ families profiled here.
That is a good idea and it would be a very astute political move. If Daschle is not willing to appoint someone without more traditional credentials, another politically smart move would be to appoint a prominent Republican who is very independent minded and would be supported by the families.
Former Republican Senator Warren Rudman comes to mind. The administration promised the families that they would be allowed to select one of the Republican commissioners in exchange for the families’ support for the Commission. When the families chose Rudman, the White House reneged on the deal. See here (scroll down to “9/11 Commission”).
Appointing a Republican would blunt the GOP argument that all Democratic criticism is based on mere partisanship. Appointing the person the families selected, and Bush reneged on, would point out Bush's duplicity.
Rudman also knows something about Homeland Security and it my sense that he places truth above party loyalty.
In addition, if Rudman criticized the White House for delay or obfuscation, think about all the great articles that would begin “Even Republican former Senator Warren Rudman accused the White House of ….”