IF Mr Trump Wins…

For John, BLUF:  It is only speculation.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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This morning my wife and I were discussion which of the Republican "also rans" might end up as Vice President and who might end up a Presidential appointee.

We first reviewed the Executive Departments (e.g., State, Treasury, Interior).  There are are 15 of them.♠

Then there are the independent agencies.  These came up when we asked ourselves which Department is the home of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Turns out none.  It is one of the 27 Independent agencies of the United States government.  They range from the EPA to the Postal Regulatory Commission to the Selective Service System.♥

If you want to play at home, here is something to build off of, based on my wife's picks:

• VEEP—Gov John Kasich
• State or Defense or Treasury—Carly Fiorina
• Attorney General—Gov Chris Christie (Back up—Rep Trey Gowdy)
• Health and Human Services—Dr Ben Carson
• TBD—Gov Jeb Bush
• Alt for Treasury—Rep Trey Gowdy
• Veterans Affairs—Scott Brown

Senators Gruz and Rubio to remain in the US Senate, although Senator Ted Cruz might be nominated for a US Supreme Court seat.

My own thoughts are that it is not yet a lock for Mr Trump.  Super Tuesday will be important and I urge everyone in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to get out and vote on 1 March.  The unrolled should also pull a party ballot and vote.  Republican or Democrat, although most I know are pulling a Republican ballot.  And while you are there, vote for your District State Committeeman and Committeewoman.  And, if you want to be on a ward committee, write yourself in (name and address as on the voting list) and get two friends in your Ward to also write you in (name and address as on the voting list).

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  And some of them should go away, like the Department of Homeland Security.  The Department of Education should be scaled way back (their proposed budget for 2017 is just under $70 billion).  In addition, if you want to understand one of the key drivers for the increase cost of higher education, think about the regulatory activities of the Dep't of Education and the requirement for each higher education institution to hire administrators to execute the programs.  And Congress is not blameless in this.
♥  Yes, young ladies, it is time for full Citizenship and for you to register for the draft.