Is a cabinet level position a step up for a U.S. Senator?

[Goathead]

Seems like a career killer to me.

[liberalpragmatist]

1. Depends

If a senator is appointed to the cabinet it often depends on what the position is. If it's something like State, Defense, AG, Treasury, or even Homeland Security - hell yeah, it's a step up.

But if it's something like Agriculture, Transportation - a lower level position, it's not a step up. It's usually a consolation prize for having lost something else, or it's a career-ender.

[rodeodance]

3. in terms of responsibility to......

A senators primary responsibility is to his/her constituants--combined their responsibily is to the people.

while a cabinate's primary resposnibility is to inform the President (in bush's case--to be loyal to the bush's wishes.

[MrUnderhill]

2. Yes.

Depending in many cases on the cabinet seat itself (e.g. "State" is well above "Agriculture")