The Purple Rule

I've referred to this rule a few times in my blogging, so this entry is to make it easily indexed. The purple rule states that the Democratic president should not appoint into his cabinet a sitting office-holder of a swing ("purple") state for fear that the Democrats will not be able to get another party-member in that office. This is especially critical for the Senate, where every one of the 100 votes matters for filibusters and other nonsense.

Application of the purple rule: Pennsylvania and Virgina are especially vulnerable. Otherwise appealing candidates like VA Governor Kaine and Senator Webb and PA Sen. Casey are thus rendered un-nominate-able by the Purple Rule.