Cabinet Devoid of Southerners

Latino activists disappointed NM governor won't head Commerce, push new list

(NEWSER) - Bill Richardson’s Cabinet nomination was big for the Hispanic community, and with the New Mexico governor backing out, Politico reports, Latino leaders are pushing Barack Obama to choose another of their own for the Commerce slot. Says the head of one group, “We hope we can keep that intact.” More»

(NEWSER) - Press reports to the contrary, Hillary Clinton still hasn't decided whether to accept the post of secretary of state, Politico reports. She remains genuinely torn on whether to leave the Senate and give up her fight for health care reform, several anonymous aides say. The Obama camp is still vetting the business dealings of Bill Clinton and has not made a formal offer. More»

Columnist lists his picks for Obama's cabinet

(NEWSER) - If Barack Obama wants to make good on his promise of change, he should start by nominating Al Gore for secretary of state, Richard Cohen suggests in the Washington Post. Earth’s “custodian” has worlds of government experience—and “can you imagine a bolder statement about a new direction when it comes to global warming and the general care of our abused planet?” More»

Labor economist, Princeton prof worked in Treasury Department

(NEWSER) - President Obama is set to nominate Princeton labor economist Alan Krueger as his top economic adviser. Krueger, who helped lead the Treasury Department through Obama’s first two years in office, would become the chair of the Council of Economic Advisers. In the position, he’d likely urge government action on job creation, with a focus on battling long-term unemployment, the Wall Street Journal notes. The position, held by Austan Goolsbee until this month, requires Senate confirmation. More»

Prez: he 'approached a financial system on the verge of collapse with calm and wisdom'

(NEWSER) - President Obama has nominated Ben Bernanke for a second term as Federal Reserve chairman, saying Bernanke “led the Fed through the one of the worst financial crises that this nation and this world have ever faced,” the AP reports. “Ben approached a financial system on the verge of collapse with calm and wisdom; with bold action and outside-the-box thinking that has helped put the brakes on our economic freefall,” Obama said. More»