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Latinos Anxious on Obama Cabinet
December 03, 2008 5:16 PM
ABC News’ Rick Klein and Huma Khan Report: Our colleague Jake Tapper has a good posting up about diversity in the emerging Obama Cabinet.
Despite Wednesday’s naming of Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., as Obama’s nominee for Commerce, Latino groups are a bit anxious about the Cabinet that’s coming into view.
Richardson is the sixth Cabinet secretary to be named, and the first Latino. Of course, Richardson wanted the more high-profile State Department gig, and several prominent Latino groups were lobbying privately and publicly for him to get it.
Rep. Joe Baca, the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, called the appointment of Richardson “a step in the right direction” -- but only a step.
“We won’t be happy with just two,” said Baca, D-Calif. “We stepped up to the plate. When Latinos were asked to support Obama, we showed up and we did it.”
Both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush had two Latino Cabinet officials serving simultaneously. Latino groups consider that an absolute floor for President-elect Barack Obama -- and are really expecting at least three.
“There is still time. We are kind of OK with what's happening right now and looking forward to more Latinos being appointed,” said Rosa Rosales, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens. “Right now we have one; we expect at least two more.”
John Trasviña, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said Latinos are “clearly” disappointed that Richardson was not named Secretary of State. But he also cautioned that it’s too early to make a broad judgment about Obama.
“More can be done. We have been taking score in the first quarter, but we still have a ways to go in finishing the Cabinet and finishing high-end positions,” Trasviña said. “There are many qualified Latinos that have talent that share the President-elect’s vision. We are confident that the subsequent selections of prominent positions will still have Latinos.”
There was important symbolism for some Latino activists in the fact that Richardson was given his own press conference Wednesday, in contrast to the joint news conference where Obama unveiled his national-security team Monday.
Richardson, who is perhaps the nation’s most prominent Latino elected official, delivered a portion of his remarks in Spanish. And Obama has offered the job of U.S. Trade Representative -- not a Cabinet post, but still a prestigious spot -- to another Latino, Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif.
Latino groups say they’re pleased to have been consulted extensively on appointments, praising what they see as an “open-door policy” they’re enjoying with top transition officials.
Still, after an election where Latino voters went overwhelmingly for Obama, there are high expectations among this influential group of activists and supporters -- and some very real nose-counting going on.
December 3, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (10)
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As a Chicana, I agree that this is an important issue - however, what hasn't been reported is that Obama has 10 Native Americans on his transition team. I don't know how many other minorities there are - but this is news and I would hope that ABC or some other mainstream news outlet would cover this historic involvement.
Posted by: Mom | Dec 3, 2008 6:16:06 PM
So 2 is not enough? How about 3? Or 4? As a Latina myself, I can say that talking about "us" as numbers is personally insulting. I don't care if his cabinet has quotas, only that good qualified people from all walks of life are brought on board. plus who are these hispanics that are so upset? all of us?
using a "quota system" for cabinet appointments is a ridiculous and insincere way to disparities and even worse way to address our nation's lacking in "in touch" leadership.
what a joke.
Posted by: Liz | Dec 3, 2008 7:11:26 PM
he he he
ha ha ha
OBAMA SUPPORTERS GOT CONNED.
MOVEON.ORG
GAYS.COM AND THE REST OF THEM, CHANGAMANIACS--
THIS IS LOOKING LIKE A CLINTON CABINET
OBAMA IS A CLINTONITE, SIMPLE!
WE ARE STILL IN POWER
WHAT BECAME OF CHANGE??
CHANGE THAT WENT AWAY...
HA HA HA
Posted by: TJ, THE CLINTONITE | Dec 3, 2008 7:18:19 PM
Appointing Bill Richardson as Secretary of Commerce is Obama's first political appointment not based on ability but on appeasing Latinos in the country. Surely, there are many more qualified Latinos that can do the job. Unfortunately, President-elect opted for a "Judah" in his cabinet.
Posted by: David Fei | Dec 3, 2008 8:10:12 PM
This is the most racist article I have read in a long time. Is the problem really about how many latinos are appointed to his cabinet? Seriously? Hey, how about let's hire the people who will fix what is wrong with this place so that THIS COUNTRY will be better! I could care less if Obama's cabinet is all black, orange, purple, green; who cares if a latino isn't appointed to a high enough position. Move on and worry about how you're gonna pay your own mortgages. Let's all hope that Change for the better will come to us all.
Posted by: Tyrone | Dec 4, 2008 1:58:28 AM
Replace every instance of the word "Latino" with "White" and people would call these statements bigoted, racist, discriminatory, segregationist, and all manner of other words.
Get over it. This is the 21st century and a person's worth is not determined by their skin color. Latinos were not asked to vote for Obama, Americans were asked to vote for Obama, and not in exchange for ethnically oriented cabinet appointments but in exchange for EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP.
Posted by: Sterling | Dec 4, 2008 2:44:55 AM
The color of a persons skin or orgin is not as important as the right person in office to help change what has happen to this country. Enthic backgroung is not the topic, we are all Americans who voted for change not getting qoutas in the cabinet. Getting the best in postion should be what is important not weather they are Black,White, Latino, Indian, Chinese, etc. Its time to forget what our ethnic backgrounds are. Pull together as The AMERICANS PEOPLE.
Posted by: Leonard | Dec 4, 2008 4:02:18 PM
I've heard enough whining by latinos to last me a lifetime. You all banded together and managed to help ACORN's black patrons get Obama elected, because he's an advocate for open borders, amnesty, LaRaza and the ACLU. Now you have to live with the fact that when Obama and Napolitano erase the southern border and give a free ticket to enter the US to over 30 million illegals currently hiding like a bunch of chickenshits, the rest of the welfare suck-ups' monthly freebies will dry up and blow away. Obama has proven by his controversial cabinet picks, that he's no agent of change. You democrats sucked up to this fool and fell for his bulllshit hook, line, and sinker. You deserve every minute of the next four miserable years.
Posted by: Greg Rosales | Dec 5, 2008 7:21:51 AM
It has nothing to do with quotas. It has to do with fairness. The reality is that there are many qualified people whom can do the jobs. Fairness is that the cabinet should represent those that supported Obama and so far it has not.
Posted by: luis pando | Dec 10, 2008 6:03:12 PM
Well Greg Rosales you republicans sucked up to the worst president in history aka Mr. Bush who has taken this country financial and flushed it down the toilet. And who fell for the bull cookies when the republicans re-elected Bush for a second term don't throw stones at glass houses Mr. Rosales.
EJ
Posted by: EJ | Dec 18, 2008 5:46:29 PM
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