Post-Richardson, Obama Pressed on Hispanic Choices
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein Reports: Gov. Bill Richardson’s withdrawal as President-elect Barack Obama’s selection for Secretary of Commerce is putting renewed pressure on Obama to tap more Latinos for prominent positions in his administration. In the wake of Richardson’s decision to step aside, several Latino organizations are insisting that Obama’s next choice for Commerce be Latino as well — to fulfill the goal they’ve set of a Cabinet with at least three Latino members. “President-elect Obama’s first lasting legacy would have been the seating of a Cabinet with three Latino members. We urge President-elect Obama to not pass up on the opportunity to fulfill this legacy,” the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials said in a statement issued Monday. The League of United Latin American Citizens quickly submitted a list of 10 Latinos it considers qualified to serve as Commerce Secretary. Brent Wilkes, LULAC’s executive director, called the list “something [for the transition team] to start working with,” and said he was communicating with other Latino groups to hone the list into a smaller group of potential appointments. “There’s been a real lag in Latinos getting high-level positions,” Wilkes said in an interview. “We’re pushing hard, not for more than our fair share, but representation that the size of the Latino community warrants. If that doesn’t happen, it will be a disappointment.” Richardson is one of the nation’s most prominent Latino elected officials, and his selection for Commerce was itself a bit of a disappointment to some Latino activists, who thought Richardson would be a strong candidate for Secretary of State. His withdrawal from a Cabinet posting in the face of a federal probe into his official actions leaves just two Latinos in Obama’s Cabinet — the same number who served in the George W. Bush and Clinton Cabinets. After an election where their votes were critical to Obama’s victory, prominent Latino groups have pressed hard for a minimum of three Cabinet officials to be of Hispanic origin. Wilkes said it is particularly important to have Latino leadership at Commerce, since all communities have a stake in the economic recovery, and because the decennial Census — which is overseen by Commerce — has in the past under-counted Latinos. “Without Latino representation, a lot of times Latino communities don’t get the attention the size of the community would warrant,” he said. LULAC’s list of potential Commerce secretaries includes Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif.; Rep. Nydia Velasquez, D-N.Y.; Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez; Miami Mayor Manny Diaz; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chairman Gilbert F. Casellas; Antonio Perez of Eastman Kodak; Hector de J. Ruiz of Advanced Micro Devices; Paul J. Diaz of Kindred Health Care; Jose Maria Alapont of Federal-Mogul; George Muñoz, who led the Overseas Private Investment Corporation in the Clinton administration; and Maria Contreras-Sweet, Promerica Bank. Obama transition officials declined to comment on potential Richardson replacements, and say that all posts are being filled on merit, not racial or ethnic backgrounds. They point out that a number of Latinos have been given choice posts: Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., is Obama’s choice for Secretary of Interior; Rep. Hilda Solis, D-Calif., was tapped for Secretary of Labor; Nancy Sutley was named director of the Council on Environmental Quality; Louis Caldera will head the White House Military Office; and Cecilia Muñoz will lead the administration’s Intergovernmental Affairs Office.
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I think the latinos comunity should choose someone competent to fill the post of Secretary of Commerce since Bill Richardson has withdrawn.
Posted by: I.A.T.SMITH | January 6, 2009, 9:02 am 9:02 am
Considering the Latino population is growing by leaps and bounds even in a lousy economy, they are predicted to represent about half of the population in 2050. I wonder what % of that population is illegal?
Posted by: Bob | January 6, 2009, 9:27 am 9:27 am
Sounds racist to me!
Posted by: mark | January 6, 2009, 9:38 am 9:38 am
I guess MLK’s “judge a man by his character, not the color of his skin” only applies to White people.
Posted by: i just love him soooo much | January 6, 2009, 9:39 am 9:39 am
The Republican party has definitely been monitoring this issue. This is an Achilles’ heel for the Barack Obama camp. He’s been ignoring this voting bloc. Great opportunity for the Republican party for sure.
Posted by: JOE | January 6, 2009, 9:58 am 9:58 am
The Latino community has lots of Illegal Aliens in their rank, even in the year 2050 with their numbers the United States will look like a third world Mexico. Just their numbers alone wont solve their many problems, look at Mexico. The Latino population will be a huge community with even bigger problems nothing will change.
Posted by: Lookup | January 6, 2009, 10:12 am 10:12 am
The Latino community has lots of Illegal Aliens in their ranks, even in the year 2050 with their numbers the United States will look like a third world Mexico. Just their numbers alone wont solve their many problems, look at Mexico. The Latino population will be a huge community with even bigger problems nothing will change.
Posted by: Lookup | January 6, 2009, 10:14 am 10:14 am
Brown is the new black. It’s always “what can you do for me and my race.” Nevermind what is best for the nation.
Why is so important to get a hispanic in somewhere? Shouldn’t BHO be looking for the most qualified, regardless of skin color? Isn’t that what liberals have been cramming down our throats for decades?
Posted by: worker man | January 6, 2009, 10:25 am 10:25 am
worker man: There is a difference!
The Black problems was caused by Whites.
The Latino (Mexicans mostly) problem was caused by Mexico and whites wanting cheap labor nothing else.
Posted by: Lookup | January 6, 2009, 10:57 am 10:57 am
“Sounds racist to me!”
Perhaps you should refrain from such foolish comments until you have talked with people living near the US/Mexican border! It is not racist to point out that fact there are millions of illegal hispanics in those states.
Posted by: Mike_C | January 6, 2009, 10:59 am 10:59 am
lookup–Really? White people cause blacks to have a 70% illegetimate birth rate? Whites cause blacks to murder eachother in record numbers every year?
If black people would start taken responsibility for their own actions, businesses wouldn’t need cheap, foreign labor. As it stands, hispanics are outworking and outnumbering blacks. So they move to the front of the gravy train. Too bad for blacks, there isn’t enough gravy to go around these days.
Posted by: worker man | January 6, 2009, 11:17 am 11:17 am
lookup, you sound like another well balanced black. Yep, you have a large chip on both shoulders! Maybe you should listen to Dr Cosby, who tells it like it is in the black community. There are many very powerful black people that have ignored the race thing and profited in this country. America will give anyone a chance if they are just willing to work for what they want. The ‘gimme’ thing is getting old and beginning to irritate everyone.
Posted by: Irnotu | January 6, 2009, 11:29 am 11:29 am
I said as much yesterday. You pick cabinet choices based on sex, race, national origin, sexual orientation with competency a second criteria (if at all) and you put yourself in a box. Well, what do you expect from a president-elect and soon to be First Lady who got ahead on Affirmative Action? Think I am harsh? Read what Michelle Obama said about her college years. She admitted she never would have made it at Princeton with the grades she had (and her writing ability never improved with her screed of a master thesis replete with misspellings and clumsy grammatical structure). But if we treat blacks like they need a helping hand because they can’t do it on their own, this is what we get.
Posted by: stop2think | January 6, 2009, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm
stop2think:
why don’t you stop and think before you spew out such misleading foolishness……..?
Posted by: t | January 6, 2009, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
I find it amazing how some folks just don’t seem to get it…..
Look: The United States Senate has no Blacks…..I repeat: No Blacks.
There’s only 2 Black sitting governors…..one appointed; one elected……period…
We have never had a Black US Atty General until now….
Only one Black served as chairman of the joints chiefs of staff…..
The list goes on and on…
This nation is diverse……It makes no sense for this entire nation to be represented by a few groups of folks….
How would anyone like for gov Palin to represent this country…..talking about “lip stick on a pig.” Certain folks in certain regions like the Bronx and Watts are just not relating to “lipstick on pigs.” Joe six pack and all that other folksy stuff….
Posted by: t | January 6, 2009, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
This has got to stop right her and right now. This reverse discrimination should not be tolerated. If people started vocalizing that a white person should replace anybody, Great day in the morning look out. The racism rants would start flying. Affirmative action is dead, admit it and move on. When a Black Muslim American can be elected as President. I say this. Its not the color of a mans or woman’s skin holding them back. Its his or her attitude. attitude !!! I am extremely offended by this and so should all of you…
Posted by: Mustache Outlaw | January 6, 2009, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
How about, lets get rid of nations. One planet, one people. Yea, right. Like THAT will ever happen.
Posted by: Locutus | January 6, 2009, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
Mustache outlaw
CORRECTION! the president elect is a christian. Where have you been? As far as the filing of this post is concerned the most qualified person should fill it regardless of race or gender. We need the best people to do the best job for all the people.
Posted by: Abraham Lincoln | January 6, 2009, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
I don’t see any orientals on the cabinet. Certainly no Native Americans. Oh, I forgot that our government takes it’s orders from Mexico City. Sorry I’ll try to remember next time.
Posted by: Oonogil | January 6, 2009, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
Hispanics I can understand if they should be given a place in America. BUT “LATINOS”, the Latinos are for the Calibria area of Italy, and we are the “true” Latinos, Latins who have lived, survived and help America grow for hundreds of years, and yes, we speak English. Many cities and towns, were named “Latinos Olivadi, Latinos , Latinos, Latinos.” The mexicans are from the South American Pre-columbians Empire, the Aztecs , the Incas, and the Myan, great empires. The are not Latins, just because they speak Spanish. We, the Italians are the true Latins, and have never seen an Italian President in the USA. But we fought in the Pacific, during world war 2. I’m done writing. Could write a book, us Italians are the original and true “Latin Americans”, if we ever get recognized.
Posted by: johnjohndoe | January 6, 2009, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm
All immigration should be stopped until those here learn English. all illegl immigrants need to be deported. People should not be llowed to live off the taxpayer. No more welfare, section 8 housing or any other gov handouts. All able bodies in this country should be put to work. That would remove the need for illegals in this country. ME groups should be stamped out. Not by the gov, but by the people of this country. Just ignore them. Americans should come together as Americans and not as an add on name. People are not African, Latin, Asian or anything else. You are either American or you should be thrown out. People do not want equality, they want special prevliges and expect others to bow to their demands. That needs to stop.
Posted by: nookly23 | January 6, 2009, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
Sanjay Gupta as Attorney General – WOW talk about a payback KISS by the new President… GEEEEEEE…. I wonder how much new AD REVENUE CNN will earn due to this nomination? OH, THAT’S RIGHT, CNN HAD THE MOST WATCHED OBAMA COVERAGE IN 2008…. AND POOF!!!! CNN’s TOP DOCTOR is tapped as the new Attorney General. Do I detect a bit of Bush Cronyism?
Posted by: NYC-Independent1664 | January 6, 2009, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
johnjohndoe:
Why don’t you personally deport all
“illegals”? At least you will have a
a good paying tax free job.
Posted by: Daniel | January 6, 2009, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
to abraham linclon,
Eric Shinseki is Asian, not to be confused with oriental.
Posted by: thomas jefferson | January 6, 2009, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
How about picking the “most qualified” person for the job regardless of bio factors? Enough of this “racist profiling in reverse.”
Posted by: OIF Vet | January 6, 2009, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm
Where is the “fresh new look in government?” From what was revealed of McCain, he would have had a cabinet as racially diverse as the Bush Cabinet, and unlike the Obama cabinet, they would have all been qualified for the job (e.g. Secretary of State). They would have been maverick Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians and Independents, and not interwoven into “Machine Politics.” 2012, hurry up and get here. The “change” doesn’t look to good so far.
==Anybody Else for Prez 2012==
Posted by: OIF Vet | January 6, 2009, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm
Hispanics are doing nothing but driving down the high standard of living in America. They have their own country so stay home and clean it up! It is run by drug lords and criminals which is the way they prefer to live. They steal the social security numbers of real Americans, they forge I.D’s and they don’t pay taxes. They have no right to be asked to fill any vacant positions.
Posted by: Amerfirst | January 6, 2009, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm
No public official should feel pressured to do anything for these people. They are destroying our way of life and lowering the standards of America everywhere they go. Mexico is a crime-riddled, drug-infused hellhole ruled by corrupt generals and drug lords. This is what they want to do to North America; turn it into the poverty-strickened, banana republics of South America. They should be deported since the majority of them are illegal anyway. And by the way, Obama has three orientals in his cabinet now.
Posted by: Amerfirst | January 6, 2009, 9:01 pm 9:01 pm
Yes, their are three Orientals in the cabinet appointed to high levels positions.
Posted by: Amerfirst | January 6, 2009, 9:03 pm 9:03 pm
I’m not one of those white racist people, but it is unbelievable what is happening to our nation. If a white person said: “I want a white person in the cabinet” that would be considered a racial remark. When a Latino or a Black person says it, it is considered perfectly normal and ok with the American people. When a black person gets killed by a white police officer you hear it on the news, if it was the other way around there would not be as much attention brought to the case. If we are to get racism out or at least decrease it why the hell would there be an article like this??? How is this even legal??? Soon white people are going to be slaves!!! This is unbelievable!!! A PERSON SHOULD NOT BE CHOSEN BASED ON THEIR ETHNICITY BUT ON THEIR SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE!!!!!!
Posted by: MikeG | January 6, 2009, 9:09 pm 9:09 pm
I demand a redhead on the Cabinet, not a one so far!
Posted by: 1bluestocking | January 6, 2009, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
“Hispanics are doing nothing but driving down the high standard of living in America”.
…and the GOP thinks it can make inroads with Hispanic voters??
Brown is the new black. It’s always “what can you do for me and my race.” Nevermind what is best for the nation.
Excuse me but there are some very talented and very well educated Hispanic people available. The large voting block they create can be credited with pretty much putting George Bush in office. Bush ignored them and in turn they swung thier votes this last time for Barrak Obama. It would not be wise for him to ignore them and I think he pretty well knows it. It’s a shame about Richardson.
Posted by: latin voter | January 7, 2009, 12:33 am 12:33 am
after emanuel, richardson, panetta, gupta, other former bill clinton administration staffers obama can’t seem to select anyone original. obama seems to be replicating the bill clinton administration including hiring his wife, hillary. don’t care if obama picks an 800 lb gorilla as long as the gorilla is the best qualified. right now obama is on a roll of selecting less than the best. obama may yet give us cause to call for impeachment, he seems to be headed in that direction.
Posted by: Lawrence | January 7, 2009, 7:16 am 7:16 am
I hope President elect Obama over looks
race and picks the most qualified people he can get!
Posted by: hkdakota | January 7, 2009, 9:42 am 9:42 am
Governor Bill Richardson’s withdrawal as nominee for Secretary of Commerce is not admission of wrongdoing by him or the State of New Mexico. The withdrawal was an act in good political judgement.
It is not against the law for state vendors to make political contributions. Individuals as well as corporations have a right to become politically active under the rules of law.
The company in question, CDR specializes in consultation and brokering of complex financial matters with city, county and state governments in the United States.
The Republican U.S. Attorney, Gregory J. Fouratt who is administrating the federal probe of Governor Richardson will be hard press to find factual evidence of serious criminal activity or intent.
Gregory J. Fouratt is the attorney who replaced one of the fired U.S. Attorney from the Bush administration’s U.S. Attorney scandal to politicalize the U.S. Attorney General field offices. My guess, a Republican meta-political action group asked U.S. Attorney, Gregory J. Fouratt to investigate Governor Bill Richardson and all I can say this fight is not over.
As for Hispanic-Americans, they are exercising their rights to influence the political process just like any other social-political groups but foremost they are Americans with dreams and hopes that are no different from your own.
Posted by: threeriverscrossing | January 7, 2009, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm