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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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Openly Gay Union Activist on Shortlist for Labor Secretary

Granholm, Sebelius also rumored picks

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(Newser) – A gay union leader is on the shortlist for Barack Obama's secretary of labor, the Wall Street Journal reports. Democratic officials have confirmed that Mary Beth Maxwell—who would become the first openly gay Cabinet member in American history if chosen—is being vetted for the position, along with Govs. Jennifer Granholm and Kathleen Sebelius, of Michigan and Kansas, respectively.

Maxwell has the firm backing of David Bonior, a transition team member and former congressman believed to still be on the shortlist himself. Some labor leaders back Maxwell as a consensus choice. Others, despite Maxwell's strong activist record as head of the advocacy group American Rights at Work, believe the position calls for someone with more stature in light of the big names chosen for other Cabinet positions.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, seen here at an August meeting of Michigan Women for Obama, was mentioned as a possible running mate for Obama and is now under consideration for his secretary of labor.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, seen here at an August meeting of Michigan Women for Obama, was mentioned as a possible running mate for Obama and is now under consideration for his secretary of labor.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Mary Beth Maxwell of American Rights at Work speaks at Breakthrough's public forum,
Mary Beth Maxwell of American Rights at Work speaks at Breakthrough's public forum, "Why Can't America Have Human Rights?" at the Riverside Church in New York City on September 14, 2006.   (LetsBreakthrough)
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, seen here at a news conference last month, is being vetted for the position of Barack Obama's secretary of labor.
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, seen here at a news conference last month, is being vetted for the position of Barack Obama's secretary of labor.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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5 comments
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alienvv
Dec 3, 08 11:30 AM CST
well lets watch and count the First Time kind of people on Obama's team... skeptic if they are too many... Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
maevealleine
Dec 3, 08 11:32 AM CST
alienw, that made absolutely no sense. Personally, I'm happy about it. Maybe we'll eventually have the government out of the marriage business so everyone can get married regardless of sex.
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boom
Dec 3, 08 4:33 PM CST
And WHY are they "first timers"? Ask yourself that. Sheesh. Reply
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Michael_CT
Dec 3, 08 11:22 PM CST
one day we will come to a stage where this kind of news just won't be newsworthy. it would be like having a headline saying: Woman with green eyes chosen for Cabinet minister. Reply
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Shannonals
Dec 9, 08 8:34 PM CST
Once again Corona_king, McCarthyism is dead. Youi need to move on. Reply
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