Shinseki to be the third Asian American appointed to a Cabinet position

[ecstatic]

The Vietnam Veterans of America today described President-elect Obama’s selection of Gen. Eric Shinseki as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs a “promising choice” citing Shinseki’s “integrity and personal fortitude to usher in the real changes needed to make the VA a true steward of our nation’s veterans and their families.”

...

Shinseki would be only the third Asian American appointed to a Cabinet position, following Norman Mineta’s tenure at both Commerce and Transportation and Elaine Chao’s stint at Labor.

...

Shinseki’s appointment makes it less likely that Congressman Mike Honda, former Washington State Gov. Gary Locke or another high-profile Asian American would be tapped for a Cabinet position. Although it’s possible that Obama would select another Asian American member of the Cabinet — which would match Bush’s unprecented inclusion of two Asian Americans in the Cabinet (Mineta and Chao) — it’s more likely that the appointments to any remaining department heads will include more Latinos, African Americans and/or women.

http://www.asianamericansforobama.com/eric-shinseki-promising-choice-for-veterans-affairs

[msanthrope]

1. this is great news...Shinseki was one of the few brave souls at the

Pentagon who called bullshit on the "they'll-greet-us-with-candy-and-flowers-we-don't-need-an-exit-plan" strategery.....

[bdamomma]

2. good choice.

[mainer]

3. So... only one Asian American allowed at a time?

This is a stupid argument. I didn't know there was an Asian quota.

[ecstatic]

4. I think they're assuming too much in the last paragraph

If PE Obama sees another Asian American he likes, he will pick him/her!

[Mass]

5. What about hiring the best people for the job and caring a little less about identity politics.

Shinseki, btw, is the right person for the job, obviously. It is just the general sense of the article that bothers me.

[brianna69]

6. Excellent choice