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First Black President Facing Diversity Pressures As Well

December 03, 2008 3:45 PM

Even this trailblazing, eumelanin-rich president with the exotic name is facing questions and pressures about how diverse his Cabinet and White House staff will be.

"Nuestro voto ha sido nuestra voz," said Gov. Bill Richardson, D-NM, today after President-elect Obama introduced him as his nominee for Commerce Secretary."Esta eleccion ha demonstrado nuestra fuerza y nuestra unidad."  (Translation: "Our vote has been our voice. This election has demonstrated our strength and our unity.")

Added Richardson in English, "It will be a great honor, to serve once again, a president, who recognizes that America's diverse heritage is its greatest strength."

But the announcement of the President-elect's first Latino candidate for his Cabinet -- coming on the same day as reports that Mr. Obama has asked the son of Mexican immigrants, Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., to be U.S. Trade Representative -- was not enough for some.

After the announcement, Telemundo's Vicente Serrano asked the President-elect what he thought about media reports that Richardson being named Secretary of Commerce is "somehow the consolation prize for Latinos and Hispanic politicians and groups that are calling Latinos to be included in your Cabinet, since many were expecting or hoping that Bill Richardson was going to be Secretary of State."


"Well," replied the President-elect, "Commerce Secretary is a pretty good job."

Mr. Obama suggested that "the notion that somehow the Commerce Secretary is not going to be central to everything we do is fundamentally mistaken" since Richardson would be a member of his "economic team that is going to be dealing with the most significant issue that America faces right now, and that is how do we put people back to work and rejuvenate the economy?"

Moreover, Obama insisted that Richardson had been tapped "because he is the best person for that job," having served as a governor, congressman, United Nations Ambassador, and as a Secretary of Energy.

But the question touched on the delicate diversity dance that presidents face. Even this president.

Just yesterday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus sent a letter to the Obama's Transition Team providing 14 possible Hispanic candidates for the remaining Cabinet slots.

"With respect to Latino Cabinet members, I've appointed about half of my Cabinet so far," Mr. Obama said today. "And I think that when people look back and see the entire slate, what they will say is -- not only in terms of my Cabinet, but in terms of -- but in terms of my White House staff -- I think people are going to say, this is one of the most diverse Cabinets and White House staffs of all time. But more importantly, they're going to say these are all people of outstanding qualifications and excellence."

As of now, however, Mr. Obama has not appointed any Asian-Americans, Native Americans, disabled Americans or openly gay or lesbian Americans to his Cabinet.

And yes, there are groups paying attention.

The Brookings Institution's Presidential Appointee Initiative reports that of the roughly 500 Senate-confirmed appointees President Bill Clinton made in his first round, 30 percent were women, 14 percent were African-American, 6 percent were Latino and 3 percent were Asian-American.

President George W. Bush's first round of appointees were 23 percent women, 9 percent black, 8 percent Latino and 7 percent Asian-American.

Mr. Obama has also been under some pressure to fill some Cabinet positions with Republicans, as he pledged to do during the campaign, though it's unclear whether he counts Defense Secretary Robert Gates, whom Mr. Obama has asked to stay on. Gates is a registered independent.

"I didn't check his voter registration," Obama replied Monday after a reporter asked him if Gates "meets the requirement" necessary to fill the GOP quota. "Secretary Gates meets the qualification of being an outstanding current Secretary of Defense and somebody who is doing everything he can every single day to make sure that our troops are properly equipped and trained and organized in order to succeed at their missions and that their families are cared for."

(Gates himself told reporters Tuesday, "I felt, when I was at CIA, that as a professional intelligence officer, like a military officer, I should be apolitical, and so I didn't register with a party. I consider myself a Republican. Until yesterday, all of my senior appointments have been under Republican presidents.")

There is one group of Americans that Richardson no longer belongs to, who are as yet unrepresented in the Obama Cabinet: hirsute Americans. Mr. Richardson has, after all, shaved his post-campaign beard. (Attorney General nominee Eric Holder does have a moustache, it should be noted.)

"I think it was a mistake for him to get rid of it," Obama joked today after a reporter asked the Commerce Secretary nominee what had happened to his formerly fuzzy face. "I thought that whole Western rugged look was really working for him. For some reason, maybe because it was scratchy when he kissed his wife, he was forced to get rid of it. But we're deeply disappointed with the loss of the beard."

-- jpt

December 3, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (40)

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In discussing the selection of Bill Richardson as Commerce Secretary, i am suprised that no one has "Balanced Mr. Richardson's skill sets with the requirements of the post!!

Look, This guy is a "RINGER" for this job.
1. There is a significant tie between economic recovery and energy supply, source and cost. He was a DOE chief.
2. Our financial crunch is an international issue, we have to have a secretary of Commerce with international experience to restore confidence in our financial system. He was a Diplomat.
3. As CFO of the USA CEO experience is a double plus. He's a sitting Governor!

Again He is a "Ringer"

Posted by: d weaver | Dec 4, 2008 1:14:23 AM

Steve_NJ,

Right on! "We do not want any more Heck-of-a-job-Brownies."

We also don't need anybody that thinks that having a Mexican family member to point to as a fact of how supposedly open-minded they are to the brown people is a significant accomplishment. People that can do the job come in ALL colors!

Obama's coalition is truly a rainbow of talent. We'll all be better served just knowing that we're not limited to the genetic who's-whos.

Yes, we can be great again!

Posted by: Common Sense | Dec 3, 2008 10:09:50 PM

Richardson will do so much good for all Americans plus the Hispanic Americans. Richardson is a plus because he's not biased. (No, I'm not Hispanic!)

I see his appointment to commerce as the most important job this country needs now. Commerce is what drives the economy! We need to undo the Clinton/Bush NAFTA mess and Richardson can do that.

Posted by: Common Sense | Dec 3, 2008 10:03:16 PM

President Obama is going to place people of color who are qualified. Is that too hard to understand that people of color are qualified also-it's 2008. The future is diverse with qualified people in it. There hasn't been an administration yet who filled its cabinet posts with the most qualified-not everyone wants the appointment so you go to the next and then the next-we don't know who all his first choices were. I do know he wanted Warren Buffet on his economic dream team but apparently he didn't bite.

Posted by: t42 | Dec 3, 2008 9:39:13 PM

Tina: Richardson's father is English and his mother is Mexican.

Posted by: t42 | Dec 3, 2008 9:29:53 PM

Shouldn't we all be more concerned about Mr. Obama hiring people based on who will be the most effective at successfully performing their job?

Posted by: Patricia N. | Dec 3, 2008 7:10:33 PM

Obama is picking the best people. Everyone, right, left, and center, brown, black, white, red, or yellow will find something to cheer and something to lament because he is a person who chooses on the basis of complex criteria. He chooses people who will bring the debate into the White House. He has already appointed 2 Republicans to high positions, for those of you who spend most of your time on AM Radio or with Fox.

We are in the worst time in our country - brought on by a 3rd generation rich kid and Darth Vader. So, give the man a chance - we all desperately need him to succeed and to be the most important, successful leader this country has ever known.

Did you know there are 10 Native Americans on his transition team? This is historic. Where is this news? Hopefully, ABC was just waiting to get it on the air!

Posted by: Mom | Dec 3, 2008 6:20:51 PM

Umm.. Jake, how would you or anyone know if Obama has appointed gays to his
administration?

Posted by: Teresa | Dec 3, 2008 5:26:16 PM

I believe there are plenty of qualified minorities that would give this administration the "Rainbow Effect"!!!

That's what America have become, Diversified!!!

Posted by: sisterdearest09 | Dec 3, 2008 5:22:55 PM

jUST gIVE hIM a chance
MR OBAMA
How Graceful God is blessing you to be
the first African American President of the USA.
On NOV -4-2008 A Historical moment was made we will remember this for the rest of our lives.
I Thank God for his BLESSING that he has INSTILL with in you.
A BRILLIANT leader is who you will always be.
Bring AMITY to every country in the world.
Be REALISM to all the people of the USA.
Determined to AMELIORATE and make the United States stronger.
A COURAGEOUS husband and Farther is who you are.
You have proven to have much KNOWLEDGE to lead our country
You are OBLIGATED to UNITE the UNITED STATES as ONE.
You are so Blessed.
You have ACCOMPLISHED a DREAM that all Americans DREAM of that is being the FIRST ELECTED AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT THAT IS ABOUT UNITY.
MAGNIFICENT
ADINFINITUM
I Thank GOD to all the HIP HOP ARTIST, S Entertainers, RADIOSTATION, AND all of the OBAMA supporters who helped make this change possible.
SPECIAL Thanks’ to YOUNG JEEZY who release his CD SEP -2-2008 called RECESSION and on his CD he has a single called MYPRESIDENT IS BLACK (FEAT) NAS
He had already Predicted that the PRESIDENT WOULD BE BLACK MUCH LOVE FOR HIM.
To all those people that seem to be so unhappy that MR BARACK IS THE PRSIDENT OF THE USA
I would like to say may GOD BLESS them to with much LOVE.
ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE
Because we are
AGGRANDIZE
MILITARISM
ELATE
REALISM
INDIVIDULISM
CAUTIOUS
AMBITIOUS
Natural
COURAGEOUS
INSPIRATIONAL
TREMENDOUS
IMPRESSIVE
ZILLION
EXTRAODINARY
NATIONALISM
And That Will Never Change GOD Bless America

Posted by: brigitte norris | Dec 3, 2008 5:22:41 PM

Valerie Tarantolo,

Qualified Repubs or Dems, I care a hoot.

All we need are COMPETENT Americans occupying the positions.

I am sck and tired of this Repub/Dem politics.

The election is over.

Time to govern Okay!!!!

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Dec 3, 2008 5:12:47 PM

Obama will renege on his promise to place qualified Republicans in key positions. Obama would rather fill these positions with whom ever he feels is polititically expedient for him. There is no change with Obama just the same old Washington nonsense

Posted by: Valerie Tarantolo | Dec 3, 2008 5:00:56 PM

I feel sorry for our Pres. elect Obama. It is not easy to please each group, party, gender, race, etc. etc.

We should all understand, whoever is chosen, is the one right for the job.

Posted by: FM | Dec 3, 2008 4:57:19 PM

Concerned in OH,

I hope PEBO will not listen to such advice.

I undersand the need for diversity and balance but appointments should not be based solely on skin texture, race and gender.

PEBO shouuld appoint people with the competence to perform excellently where they are appointed.

We do not want any more Heck-of-a-job-Brownies.

Look at what is still rotting on the Texas coast months after the hurricaine struck.

I don't care if Texans gave us Bush, because they don't deserve what they are getting. President Bush had no reason to appoint incompetents just because they were his political chronies.

The American people deserve better. So far PEBO is not doing badly.

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Dec 3, 2008 4:49:44 PM

Without the beard, and with the name "Richardson" it is not obvious that Richardson is Latino. I guess I'll believe it because everyone else says so.

Posted by: tina | Dec 3, 2008 4:30:21 PM

seah - I totally agree, however diversity is inclusionary, and Obama is just as qualified as McCain and vise-versa. Surely he is more intelligent than the dude in the White House currently. Man, I am going to miss those Bushisms.

Posted by: Huh | Dec 3, 2008 4:25:03 PM

We need leaders that are Qualified for the job and tasks at hand.

We do not need people just to fill a quota. Filling positions to fill quota's is discriminating against those who are qualified for the job.

All Elected officials no matter what position or nationality or sex or religion are to be looking out for the best interest of Every Single American, not just special groups.

Posted by: seah | Dec 3, 2008 4:23:02 PM

Diversity is a good thing. Richardson is my govenor out here in NM, and we like him for the most part. If I didn't vote 3rd party, I would have gone with Obama because of diversity, and because he doesn't want to drop the bomb first and talk later, but rather talk first.

Posted by: Huh | Dec 3, 2008 4:21:02 PM

Nobody deserves anything based on anything except qualifications. People cry too much about race and gender when they want something they do not deserve. This country is better served when the best person for that job is in place. NO EXCEPTION! GIVE ME BECAUSE I AM.....

Posted by: nookly23 | Dec 3, 2008 4:19:22 PM

Concerned in OH;
The bar is very low right now. There were other choices and we opted for an unknown quantity. We truly deserve, exactly what we get.

Posted by: independent | Dec 3, 2008 4:17:15 PM

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