Hispanic caucus submits wish list

Posted: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:24 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mike Viqueira and Domenico Montanaro
The following is a portion of a letter from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to the Obama transition team, in which the CHC puts forward its wish list of potential Latinos in an Obama administration.

"After a careful review of those individuals seeking positions with the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is formally endorsing the following persons:

· Agriculture Secretary: John Salazar
· Education Secretary: Rubén Hinojosa, Janet Murguia
· EPA Secretary: Hilda Solis
· HUD Secretary: Saul Ramirez, Adolfo Carrión
· Interior Secretary: Raúl Grijalva, Patricia Madrid
· DOJ/Civil Rights Division: Thomas Saenz, John Trasviña
· Labor Secretary: Linda T. Sánchez
· Transportation Secretary: Adolfo Carrión, Maria Contreras Sweet
· Veterans Affairs Secretary: Rick Noriega
· Education Undersecretary: Cha Guzman

"We understand that the incoming administration will have a vast pool of talent from which to choose. The individuals we have endorsed constitute the best talent while reflecting the diversity that is so valued by President-elect Obama.

"The CHC is committed to promoting Hispanic leadership and will continue to strive to be a valuable ally and resource to you. Thank you and please contact us immediately if you should have any questions."

Worth pointing out: Grijalva and Sanchez backed Obama in the Democratic primary contest, but Hinojosa and Solis were early Hillary Clinton supporters.

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Comments

With all due respect to the CHC cabinet appointees should be choosen not merely due to the ethnic origin. As a tie breaker diversity in a cabinet is a laudable goal, but no President should fill, or attempt to fill his cabinet on a basis other than qualificaton!

Best candidates please (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:35 PM)

Este est Estados Unidos los Americanos, no est Mexico. While it is important to recognize the hispanic vote and some of the folks selected may very well be a part of the Obama Administration to expect a huge number of Hispanics on any Administration is pushing the issue too far. Why not a slate of Asian-Americans or of African-Americans or Native-Americans while we're at it?

eagle1776 (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:39 PM)

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:41 PM)

Where is the list from African americans, Asians americans, Italian americans and oh white americans and do not forget Guys and muslems.

What we need are people who can do the job not just because you are black or white or brown, so you should be appointed.
We all know what happen to the last Bush's AG that was not so good.

jay (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:42 PM)

Hispanic caucus sent that letter to the wrong guy. Bill Clinton is running the show now. come on don't really think OL' Bill gave that incomplete donors list and got nothing in return do you?

Elmer, Seattle (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:48 PM)

Eric Salinas

Did you suggest "us adult democrats". That is the most stupid comment I have ever seen in this blog area and obviously comes from yet another mindless demo robot filled with anger and hate. You put a smile on a lot of faces with that limp attempt at intellectual humor. You make Barney Frank look smart.

Sandy Moore, Indy (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:48 PM)

Irish Americans, English Americans, German Americans, Italian Americans, Polish Americans, Jewish Americans, Russian Americans, French Americans.....who's so tired of hearing about all the special interest hyphenated sub group of Americans. It is no wonder that this country is so screwed up and heading for a trainwreck at full speed. This talk is insane.

Gilbert Fowlkes, Boston (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:52 PM)

Obama will create duplicate departments to give everyone what they want, just as he promised in his campaign. Still waiting for mines!

Andre Simms, NC (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:54 PM)

CHC Gives recommendation, CBC Gives Recommendations, Heck even The RNC gave Recommendations. The Most qualified and proven candidates SHOULD get the open positions.

Marvin Kinard (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:55 PM)

This is from the May 29, 2007 Washington Post.

"Janet Murguia, president and chief executive of the National Council of La Raza, the nation's largest Hispanic rights group, called Gonzales "a follower, not a leader." In the Hispanic community, she said, "people are conflicted. They are excited that a Latino had a chance to serve as the attorney general." But, she added, "I think we've been disappointed with his record so far."

Activists have criticized La Raza and LULAC for backing Gonzales. Critics questioned how these groups could support, in the name of ethnic solidarity, a man who had a role in permitting more aggressive interrogation techniques to be used on terrorism suspects held in Cuba and elsewhere."

I don't doubt Murguia is a very intelligent person, she worked 6 years in the Clinton WH, and certainly appears to be dedicated to Hispanic issues. However, she has no specialized background in education. As I research the people on this list, it appears they are being promoted by the CHC merely on the basis of their ethnicity. Pride in where you came from is important, however, supporting a man ill-suited for Attorney General, and dropping that support long after anyone could legitimately defend the appointee does not speak well for the group.

Until I read about this letter, and started looking into the suggested candidates qualifications for the respective posts, I was supportive of including more Hispanics in the cabinet. However, I hope that the Pres. Elect ignores the request, and only nominates candidates with experience and qualifications for the position, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, party affiliation, etc.

The CHC should not be supporting tokenism, and nominating Janet Murguia (and most others on this list) would smack of tokenism!

Appoint the most qualified (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:55 PM)

I know of one unhappy camper out there - John Kerry. According to an article in today's Boston Herald, Senator Kerry is very disappointed in not being selected as Secretary of State. Very disappointed.

Can't say I blame him. It was he who invited Barack Obama to Boston to speak at the Convention in 2004. And he was an early supporter of Barack when he ran for president.
__________________
Ron & Clara, I do read a lot. I guess I've always had a curious mind about people and events. I have always asked myself - why? Whether it be slavery, Hitler/WWII/Holocaust, the Berlin Wall/Cold War/, segregation, Watergate, Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam War - and so on.

The torch is in our hands right now. And what we do with it, will matter to the next generation. We have to get it right.

The GOP seem mired in the 18th century. I don't know why. They don't seem particularly curious about anything except what they learned in the Bible, which is very little evidently, since Jesus was a man of peace and love and charity and forgiveness.

I think.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:59 PM)

Hilda Solis appears to be a good pick for EPA, at least (unlike many on the list) she has a record on environmental issues!

Best Candidates Only (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:01 PM)

"Worth pointing out: Grijalva and Sanchez backed Obama in the Democratic primary contest, but Hinojosa and Solis were early Hillary Clinton supporters."

_____________________________________________________

Actually it's not worth pointing out...

It's worth pointing out that Hillary Clinton was a Hillary Clinton supporter and she got the State job. Please stop trying to create divisiveness by mentioning who supported who when we are trying to build a well rounded cabinet her no matter who they supported.

I am confident that the transition team is more concerned with qualifications than with political bias.

Steven, Highlands Ranch, (BLUE) Colorado (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:01 PM)

The letter is polite, considerate, and respectful. The obvious is that the Hispanic community is asking for a greater voice. As I stated yesterday, it's not about ethnicity or gender, it's about who is best qualified. I suspect some on this list will be chosen...because they are the best qualified. The transition team will pick the best individuals available.

Well said Ron Indiana. I agree completely with what you said. Obama has been looking to put together the best team he can. Divirsity is good, but compentency is better. If positions can be filled with some of those the CHC mentioned in their letter, all the better. Obama has demonstrated he understands the best way to improve our country is to put qualified people in the right positions. Under the circumstances, he's done that to this point.
Only time will tell how well this team will perform. With Obama at the helm, I believe our country will see better days. You may not see good results in the beginning, but by the end of his first term, this country will be on the track to being a leader around the world again as well as a strong, UNITED country.

Dan St. Louis, MO (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:04 PM)

Asking aint getting

It's good that the CHC is assertive in pushing for Latino rperesentation

I just think it should have been done privately

As a Latino, this looks like spoils (to the victors belong the spoils)
I'm sure Obama will increase the number of Latinos in appointed positions

It wouldn't hurt any ethnic group to start searching for possible Supreme court nominees among their ranks
And that includes Cosumer groups, Labor, environmentalists and the LGBT community

On a related topic, Huff Post suggests that an openly gay cnadidate is possible for Secretary of Labor

I'd applaud that selection !!
(She wouldn;t be a candidate unless she were highly qualified)

MSierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:04 PM)

Susan Rice is from Maine. Now, Obama needs to find spots for Tom Allen and former Gov. Angus King. Go Mainers!

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:05 PM)

Either Saul Ramirez, or Adolfo Carrión would be fine HUD secretaries

No quotas (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:05 PM)

This list is jusy another example of reverse discrimination. Like anything else. Can you imagine if we had a United White college Fund, a Miss White America, an all White TV Station like BET. How about a White Hero week. Can you imagine if we declared a national holiday for a white minister who had a dream.

Otis (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:05 PM)

The latino Caucus needs to do this in private not in public. Obama does not take this public pressure non sense. We all know what Obama did when Kerry campaigned for Secretary of states or Bill pushing his wife for VP. The last move you wanna pull is try a public fight over a job with a community organizer.

mp (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:07 PM)

Every organization has the right to endorse anyone they choose, and to communicate those endorsements to the transition team. You'll never get what you want if you don't ask, and hispanics voted in large numbers for Obama, so they deserve to be included in his administration. Hopefully, at least some of these folks will make the final cut.

I see Ken Salazar isn't on the list, but his brother (I believe) John, is. Much as I'd love to see Ken in Obama's cabinet, I'd rather see him remain as what is now Colorado's senior senator. He's been a GREAT senator (at least IMHO), and I'd hate to lose that. He's gotten involved in many bi-partisan endeavors since his first day in the senate.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:08 PM)

Have you listened to Obama's speech patterns when he is talking at these press conferences? Many times he says one word at a time, pausing after each word. It's like a robot or is does he have a reason for speaking that way? It is really strange.

Orville J, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:09 PM)

I saw Patricia Madrid debate Heather Wilson in the 2006 Congressional race, sadly she performed poorly, and lost the race to Wilson, and we were forced to see Wilson on TV for another 2 years!

Let Obama decide (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:15 PM)

Get in line with the other dupes like BILL RICHARDSON went with obamma early turned the clintons against himself for what some secondary role not sec. of state what a slap in the face of all the hispanics who went against hilliary only to have her get the job, heck of a job baracky

kenn (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:17 PM)

*** EXTRA ** EXTRA ** EXTRA ** EXTRA **

'...Franken Ahead 22 Votes Now, Campaign Says...'

December 3, 2008 01:24 PM

Al Franken's campaign announced on Wednesday that, for the first time since the Minnesota recount began, the Democrat has actually pulled ahead of Republican Sen. Norm Coleman.

Speaking on a conference call with reporters, Franken's chief counsel Marc Elias said the campaign's own internal count showed them up 22 votes, a jump from the 13 vote deficit that they faced on Tuesday.

"We have approximately 138,000 ballots left to count," said Elias. "94.3 percent of the state has now been counted... Obviously that number is going to change, but we are pleased thus far with how things are going."

If true (the official state and newspaper numbers show a margin more favorable to Coleman, owing to the many challenges each campaign has logged), the tally underscores just how incredibly close the Minnesota race has become. On Wednesday, the state will go over ballots from Wright County -- a largely Republican area that could thrust Norm Coleman back into the lead....'

SUCK ON THAT !!!

MSierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:25 PM)

Orville, Obama is a slow reader, thats why he pauses between words.

Otis (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:30 PM)

Orville J, Ohio

It is called thinking. He is only the president-elect.

There are many things that he is not at liberty to yet say. He has to think of ways to answer questions that do not step on the toes of those that are still supposed to be in charge and still convey that he is prepared to step in on day one and perhaps find fault with the choices that those same "leaders" are making now in the transition period that he can't stop.
He takes his time because unlike BushI, BushII, and Reagan, he doesn't like to have to have surrogates come back later and try to correct the record of what he "Meant" to say.

Paul (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:31 PM)

I find it ridiculous that in 2008, things like this exist. I would find much more credibility with this organization if their list had been more diverse!

kristi, texas (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:48 PM)

No, this is NOT reverse discrimination. Minorities have long been under-represented in our gov't, on TV, and elsewhere. All they're asking for is to have a voice that is somewhat equivalent to their percentage of the population. Of course competence matters, but it's insulting to imply that minorities can't compete in that arena. When us gringos (whites) become a minority in the next decade or so, we'll be looking out for our "share," too.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:49 PM)

Paul

I heard Obama say "What I meant to say" many times in the campaign. Did he learn from his mistakes he was making then?

Kathy, Charlotte (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:55 PM)

How come the names are all Hispanic?

Jorge Maxwell (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:55 PM)

Yo Orville J. It seems that Barack actually takes time to think before he speaks and can actually put sentences together that make sense. What part of that don't you understand?

As for the Hispanic issues. There are a lot of groups that put Barack over the top, hence he does no owe allegiance to any one more than the others. As he said today, his cabinet picks, even including Clinton are about competence not payoffs. Admitedly there are multi motives for Clinton, but she is an intelligent lady non the less.

On 12/3 Barack has selected 1/2 the cabinet and most of the key WH positions.

Compare that to Carter, Clinton and W. He's well ahead their timelines folks.

I think that we have a bit of the "Jackie Robinson" syndrome here. as the first African-American POTUS we expect perfection.

Get over it people! He's smart guy but he still puts his pants on one leg at a time....

Ed, FW, TX (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:09 PM)

Well said Paul. Thinking is GOOD! Blathering is bad

Ed, FW, TX (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:10 PM)

Sandy Moore, Indy-

Forgive Eric in Salinas. He has to have his multiple daily rants on this site to get all his inner hatred out.

Jack (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:19 PM)

Kenn

The Secretary of Commerce is an important job, especially now in these awful economic circumstances. One of the key function of the Commerce Department is, how do I put this, making sure that Americans have jobs, in other words putting people to work. Pretty important wouldn't you say? Sec Richardson will be working pretty closely with the rest of the economic team and also overseas promoting American products and companies. Also very important- wouldn't you say? It is not a slap in the face.

Of course, President Elect couldn't satisfy you no matter what he did. BTW - learn how to construct a sentence. Because your post is almost incoherent.

Liz, NY (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:21 PM)

^^Can you imagine if we had a United White college Fund, a Miss White America, an all White TV Station like BET. How about a White Hero week. Can you imagine if we declared a national holiday for a white minister who had a dream^^

I agreed with you up until the reference to MLK. He doesn't have a national holiday just because "he had a dream". He played a significant role in advancing civil rights in the country and that was a plus for people of all colors. If he were a white minister and had notoriaty for the same "dream" I wouldn't have a problem with him having a special day to remember him.

Vince Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:54 PM)

Ok, we know what the primary qualification is. Will the caucus be following up with some supporting information?

Point of useless information: Bill Richardson is a white European, much more closely related by blood to the people who have caused virtually the problems known to man/woman.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:55 PM)

Pres Elect Obama wants a diverse cabinet, not a mostly Hispanic one. We need to have a Iraq/Afghasitan war veteran who has been wounded in those wars as head of the VA (Tammy Duckworth). How about a Muslim one, it would be great as a weapon againt Islamic extremist.

D.A. Reuter, Bremerton, WA (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 5:22 PM)

Kenn: "Get in line with the other dupes like BILL RICHARDSON went with obamma early turned the clintons against himself for what some secondary role not sec. of state what a slap in the face of all the hispanics who went against hilliary only to have her get the job, heck of a job baracky."

You've got it all wrong, Kenn. Had Hillary won, she would have been president, Barack would have been her vp(as she and Bill promised during the primary), and Biden would have been sos. No one ever promised Richardson the sos- not Barack, and certainly not Hillary. To his credit, Richardson acknowledged in his endorsement speech of Barack that he thought Barack was best suited to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Fleurdelys (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 5:28 PM)

I agree with Gilbert. We should all have our "special interest" and forget the fact that we all are supposed to be Americans first or did I miss something?

minka MO (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 5:36 PM)

Do a little research on LaRaza, meaning "the race", and you won't like what you find.

Rhj (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 6:41 PM)

Otis wrote: "This list is jusy another example of reverse discrimination. Like anything else. Can you imagine if we had a United White college Fund, a Miss White America, an all White TV Station like BET. How about a White Hero week. Can you imagine if we declared a national holiday for a white minister who had a dream."

-----------------------------------------------------

I think this is quite insensitive and just plain ignorant. Please correct me if I am wrong but I don't think that the history of white people in this country includes being enslaved and subsequently discriminated against and underrepresented. Please brush up on your history before posting such ignorant statements.

KDen (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 7:07 PM)

Orville++++If the way Obama speaks bothers you, you must bang your head against the wall when you hear G.W. Bush and Sarah Palin speak.

Seattle Sue (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 8:15 PM)

@Otis give me a break whites are the majority for now anyway and have white collegs already that black and other minorities attend. How many black senators do we have? How many black Presidents have we had? I do not have a problem celebrating the different cultures here in the good ole US of A!

Alexis, Atlanta (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 9:49 PM)

they're are so annoying. I know the need of diversity, but being pushy is irritated. The cabinets positions should be picked based on talent and capability not the quota. I'm Asian, but I don't think I would even need an Asian cabinet member there.

dane (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 1:58 AM)

Steven, from Highlands Ranch has the most credible comment on this thread.
Also, the names in BOLD are the ones that the CHC recommended based on who asked them for an endorsement. Not all the names are endorsed. It’s important that we pay attention to these little facts before certain comments are made. Ethnic organizations were formed when ethnic minorities saw that there was a lack of representation in local, state and federal governments. Comments like "imagine if we had a white hero week" are statements made out of ignorance and a lack of education on the political climate throughout the nation regarding demographic representation. Please educate yourself before you making such exasperating comments.

Wendy Carrillo, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 2:07 AM)

RICHARDSON IS JUST A PLOY TO ADVANCE OBAMA'S "NORTH AMERICAN UNION" PLANS, AKA, "OPEN BODERS POLICY."

JUST ADVOCATES OF THE "OPEN BODERS POLICY." ... (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 9:28 AM)

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