This, frankly, is the question of the day in Washington...and in other capitals where people are concerned that the United States has the most seasoned and strong diplomatic leadership it can possibly have. Which translates into the question: why not Holbrooke?

After all, he is the single most accomplished and experienced diplomat the Democratic Party has and, given the sordid statecraft of the Republicans, his is a record that surpasses everyone's. There is also no question, for example, that Holbrooke was the savior of Bosnia, a humanitarian and strategic achievement that will bring him to heaven. He faced down Milosevics, perhaps the most brutal dictator in post-Cold War Europe. Moreover, he conducted -actually, with a deep and authentic passion- the international struggle, successfully, in the end, to see HIV as a moral and practical threat to mankind. It's difficult to imagine but this took a certain bravery since many Africanists were loathe to focus on the extent of the epidemic.

Holbrooke still believes in American power. But he never counsels using it recklessly or theatrically. Some say he is abrasive, which is the chance one takes with putting someone wise anyplace. Dean Acheson was no sweetheart, believe me, nor George Marshall.

I have no standing with secretary-designate Clinton. So I do not purport to give her advice. Still, Holbrooke was for her and for her passionately. This should commend the senior American diplomat to her; he would never try to upstage her. And, since the president-elect is spreading his net wide and deep, a senior appointment for Holbrooke should almost be axiomatic.

As it happens and given the economic calamity the U.S. and the world are facing, as one could not imagine an Obama administration without Larry Summers in the corridors of true authority so also can one not envision an Obama government without Richard Holbrooke in it.

Does this mean second person at State? I suppose so.

I mean no slight to James Steinberg in this regard. He is a seasoned servant in the security and diplomatic establishment. Moreover, he is not, as some folk seem to thinks he is, a carbon of Sandy Berger. Leaving him out of the high mix would also be tragic.

In exile for eight years, the Democrats have an opportunity to reset the nation on the right track. Mumbai proves how difficult this will be.