Progressives had to wait for the last cabinet appointment to get a clear, unambiguous progressive champion selected for Obama’s cabinet. Some of the cabinet positions were filled by people that are fairly progressive, but it was not until now, with the appointment of Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Los Angeles), that we have someone prominent and familiar to look forward to. We couldn’t have asked for a better pick for Labor Secretary. You see her strong labor record on her website.
With the selection of Rep. Solis, Obama’s cabinet is complete. And it is amazing diverse. Here’s a list of appointments, including some that are not cabinet level.
NATIONAL SECURITY
SECRETARY OF STATE- Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE- Robert Gates
ATTORNEY GENERAL- Eric Holder
HOMELAND SECURITY- Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona
SECRETARY OF VETERAN’S AFFAIRS- Ret. Army Gen. Eric Shinseki
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS- Susan Rice
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER- Ret. Marine Gen. James Jones
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY OF TREASURY- Timothy Geithner
SECRETARY OF COMMERCE SECRETARY- Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico
SECRETARY OF LABOR- Rep. Hilda Solis of California
COMMISSIONER, SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE- Mary Schapiro
DIRECTOR, DOMESTIC POLICY COUNCIL- Melody Barnes
DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL- Larry Summers
CHAIR, ECONOMIC RECOVERY ADVISORY BOARD- Paul Volcker
CHAIRWOMAN, COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS- Professor Christina Romer
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET- Peter R. Orszag
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
SECRETARY OF ENERGY- Professor Steven Chu
SECRETARY OF INTERIOR- Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado
ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR- Carol Browner, the former head of the EPA
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR- Lisa Jackson
CHAIR, COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY- Nancy Sutley
DOMESTIC POLICY
SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT- Shaun Donovan, the head of New York’s housing department
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES- Fmr. Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota
SECRETARY OF EDUCATION- Arne Duncan, head of the Chicago public school system
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE- Fmr Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION- Rep. Ray LaHood, Republican of Illinois
