I am fairly sure that I know what a Cabinet post is. A two-part question arises from your following remark:

1) How does one reform economics without approaching 'social issues'? They are inextricably embedded in one another. You can not reform tax policy without reforming spending policy. You can not change the approach to foreign aid without changing the social incentives on which it is based (see Perry's direct remarks as above).

2) A high-level Cabinet post necessarily means an entrance to the line of succession. Even if merely a consultant, should one not meet Presidential standards to also be in Cabinet, especially given the dramatic environment that would be present alongside the necessity of such succession?