Where Bernie Would Fit In A Clinton Administration

The conversation turned fierce at the Democratic debate between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in Flint, Michigan, on Sunday, with Sanders giving the super sassy, "Excuse me, I'm talking," at one point during the evening. Relations between the two presidential hopefuls won't necessarily remain chilly, though, once all is said and done, and the Democratic National Convention seals the deal for one of them. The former secretary of state is already talking about Sanders helping the Clinton team in some way. During a Fox News town hall meeting on Monday, Clinton said that if she wins the nomination she hopes to work with the Vermont senator. So, would Sanders fit in a Clinton administration?

The first question is whether or not Clinton will ask Sanders to be her running mate as the candidate for vice president. This scenario could happen, and Clinton sure doesn't appear to be nixing the idea by saying that she considers Sanders to be her "ally." Clinton could also ask any one of a whole slew of other VP options, though. Obama's Housing and Urban Development secretary, Julian Castro, has been campaigning for Clinton, possibly with the hope that Clinton will pop the question.

If it's not the vice presidency, there will be plenty of options for a cabinet position with Bernie's name on it. Clinton could provide Sanders the chance to tackle wealth inequality, unemployment, and national debt by appointing him the treasury secretary. Or, with such a robust platform specifically against the alleged financial misdeeds of those on Wall Street, Sanders could take on some of that corporate finance by becoming chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. But in all seriousness, Sanders may not have the experience necessary to assume the role. In only half-seriousness, it appears Bernie would rather see everyone from Wall Street sort of just disappear than have the opportunity to regulate their behaviors.

But there's quite a big "maybe" surrounding the possibility that Sanders ends up on Clinton's administration, even if he is offered a spot somewhere. In a Republican-majority Senate, Sanders holds a position of pretty high value in Congress. Sanders, not to mention Democrats in Washington and liberal voters across the country, may not want to risk Sanders leaving his Senate seat and opening up the spot to a special election vote in Vermont — despite the fact that Vermont is a blue state.