I’d rather Kobach, but let’s be real: Kobach is quite young, and if Kelly gets the top nod, Kobach will essentially be understudy, ready for a promotion.
I don’t know if Kobach is confirmable with the Senate with flakes like Flake and Graham voting against. It’s probably for the best if he is Deputy. He will still have a lot of influence.
Kobach is 50 (older than Barry was when he took office). I’ve been impressed with him so far (I live in home state) and think he will do a great job.
Kris Kobach is not that young. He is 50 years old. I have personally worked with Kris. He is one of the most impressive people I have ever met. And he is down to earth, not a pretentious bone in his body. He would make a fantastic head of DHS. Kelly could be his deputy.
n 1984, Kobach graduated from Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kansas, where he was co-valedictorian and class president. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Harvard University, graduating summa cum laude and first in his department. He then received an M.A. and Ph.D. in Politics at the University of Oxford, where he was a Marshall Scholar. He then attended Yale Law School, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1995 and was an editor of the Yale Law Journal. During this time, he published two books: The Referendum: Direct Democracy in Switzerland (Dartmouth, 1994), and Political Capital: The Motives, Tactics, and Goals of Politicized Businesses in South Africa (University Press of America, 1990.
While at Harvard, Kobach served as Republican Club President. In that capacity, he supported the Afghan Mujahideen in their war against the Soviet Union, stating, "[T]he Afghan rebels' cause gets the least amount of attention and support in this country". Kobach served as a missionary to Uganda in 2005 and 2006. Previously, he had volunteered to help build a school in a South African township through the Get Ahead Foundation. He has also served as a Big Brother. He was a national rowing champion (men's pair event, master's division in 1998; men's double event, master's division, 2001, 2002). He is also an Eagle Scout.
n 2001, President George W. Bush awarded him a White House Fellowship to work for Attorney General John Ashcroft. At the end of the fellowship, he stayed on as Counsel to the Attorney General. Shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001, he led a team of attorneys and researchers who formulated and established the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System. In addition, he took part in work to reshape the Board of Immigration Appeals in 2002. After his government service ended, he returned to UMKC to teach law until running for and winning election to Secretary of State. Upon winning election, Kobach left his position at UMKC.
At 50, Kobach is not really young. But Kelly would likely get through the Senate much easier.