![\"](\"http:\/\/ww2.hdnux.com\/photos\/57\/02\/35\/12330853\/4\/920x1240.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Photo: John Blanchard, The Chronicle<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n With controversy swelling over President Trump\u2019s picks for the top executives in his administration, we asked readers to create their own shadow Cabinet. That is, to list their choices for the key administrative posts \u2014 attorney general, secretaries of defense, interior, commerce, education and others \u2014 to advise the president and set the tone for the federal government over the next four years.<\/p>\n Readers read Open Forum writer James W. Loewen\u2019s commentary <\/a>about shadow Cabinets, a feature of political life in many democracies, and took the invitation to heart: More than 100 readers sent in detailed lists of names of those they felt reflected their views and values and could help steer the country.<\/p>\n Their lists revealed some notable picks:<\/p>\n Nancy Bissell of Berkeley made sure her shadow Cabinet varied in race, gender and background. Shirlee Graff of Alamo, in particular, deemed it vital to choose a Cabinet with eight women in order to have an equitable gender mix in government.<\/p>\n Some submissions reflected choices based on experience. Others stressed innovation; e.g., Carol McDaniel of Mount Shasta (Shasta County) wanted former President Jimmy Carter for secretary of energy; Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, was singled out by Carol Catudio of Whitethorn (Humboldt County) for secretary of transportation; and UC President Janet Napolitano was offered up as secretary of education. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee was a top choice for secretary of housing and urban development.<\/p>\n Louise Murphy of Daly City poked at the idea of a left-leaning shadow Cabinet: She mailed back a list with no alternatives to the president\u2019s nominees. At the top, she scrawled: \u201cYou Lost! We Won! Keep everything as listed.\u201d<\/p>\n Others couldn\u2019t resist the temptation to joke: One reader offered up \u201cMiss Informed\u201d for secretary of education. Political comedian Bill Maher was even a choice for attorney general.<\/p>\n Spencer Whitney is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhitney@sfchronicle.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Photo: John Blanchard, The Chronicle With controversy swelling over President Trump\u2019s picks for the top executives in his administration, we asked readers to create their own shadow Cabinet. That is, to list their choices for the key administrative posts \u2014 attorney general, secretaries of defense, interior, commerce, education and others… Continue reading <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![](\"http:\/\/ww2.hdnux.com\/photos\/56\/53\/07\/12505419\/3\/920x920.jpg\")
<\/p>\nJ. Scott Applewhite, AP. \u00a0<\/span>The Senate GOP may have tried to silence Sen. Elizabeth Warren<\/span> on the floor, but readers spoke up and chose Warren as their top pick for the Shadow Cabinet in several categories; from Vice President to Secretary of Treasury.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"http:\/\/ww2.hdnux.com\/photos\/56\/53\/07\/12505495\/3\/920x920.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTNS. \u00a0<\/span>As the former Secretary of Labor for President Bill Clinton, Robert Reich\u2019s<\/span> experience and commentary made him the most voted for Secretary of Labor.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"http:\/\/ww2.hdnux.com\/photos\/56\/53\/07\/11283425\/5\/920x920.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMatt Rourke, AP. \u00a0<\/span>During the primary election, Sen. Bernie Sanders\u00a0<\/span>gave Hillary Clinton a run for her money as a candidate. Sanders was top choice as Vice President.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"http:\/\/ww2.hdnux.com\/photos\/56\/53\/07\/12505499\/3\/920x920.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSusan Walsh, AP. \u00a0<\/span>Longtime civil servant and Barack Obama\u2019s right-hand man, former Vice President Joe Biden<\/span> was chosen for Secretary of Homeland Security.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"http:\/\/ww2.hdnux.com\/photos\/56\/53\/07\/11749024\/5\/920x920.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMichael Short, Special to The Chronicle. \u00a0<\/span>Bay Area native Sen. Kamala Harris<\/span>, ade the list as Attorney General. Her stances on criminal justice reform has made her a crowd favorite among Democrats.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"http:\/\/projects.sfchronicle.com\/2017\/embed-shadow-cabinet\/followup\/assets\/photos\/top.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDenise Truscello. \u00a0<\/span>Comedian Carrot Top<\/span>, known for his red hair and self-deprecating humor was chosen as Secretary of Agriculture. No word yet if he will change America\u2019s national dish to carrots.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"http:\/\/ww2.hdnux.com\/photos\/56\/53\/07\/12505536\/3\/920x920.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGene Page, AMC. \u00a0<\/span>One reader suggested a zombie Cabinet: \u201cDaryl Dixon,\u201d \u201cRick Grimes\u201d and \u201cMichonne\u201d were chosen for their survival skills in a postapocalyptic world. Who better to lead the country against the armies of corpses than the characters from \u201cThe Walking Dead\u201d?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ww3.hdnux.com\/photos\/57\/55\/42\/12507270\/8\/920x1240.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n