Who should Obama nominate for Commerce Secretary?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

I'm not up on who is qualified, but I'm sure someone here is...

What do you all think?

Who should he tap?

Feel free to say why as well...

Some folks say it should be another Hispanic...


:shrug:

[AtomicKitten]

1. Ironically, rumor has it Leon Panetta wanted the job.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Oh, wow...

But he got CIA instead...

Time for musical Cabinet posts?

[AtomicKitten]

3. Could be and it's especially good to know if the confirmation gets sticky.

:hi:

[Jennicut]

4. I heard it might be Gov. Gregoire of Washington State

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Hm...

That's interesting.

She just got re-elected in a very tough campaign for Governor...

I wonder-would she give it up for a Cabinet post?

:shrug:

[camera obscura]

16. I read that too. That would piss off the WA Republicans...

[Sebastian Doyle]

34. Right state, wrong governor

Chris just got re-elected. Her predecessor Gary Locke would be a good fit for commerce though.

[PurityOfEssence]

5. How about Jim Hightower?

hmmm...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. I've heard his name...

But I am embarrassed to admit I don't know anything about him...

:blush:

[Rowdyboy]

28. He has plusses and minuses..he is a Texas populist along the lines

of Molly Ivins and Ann Richards. Jim was elected Texas commissioner of Agriculture (1982-1991)

Here's more from Wiki...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Hightower

n the late 1960s, he worked in Washington, D.C., as legislative aide to Senator Ralph Yarborough. After managing the presidential campaign of populist former Senator Fred R. Harris of Oklahoma in 1976, he returned to Texas to become the editor of the magazine The Texas Observer. His first run for office was for the Democratic nomination for the Texas Railroad Commission (which regulates the oil industry), which he narrowly lost. Hightower was elected Agricultural Commissioner in 1982, serving in that capacity until 1991. His tenure was noted for fostering organic production, alternative crops, direct marketing by small farmers, strong gross materials regulations, and other programs. During that time, he also became a leading national spokesman for populist and progressive Democrats. He was defeated in 1990 by Republican Rick Perry, later governor and client of the political consultant and manager Karl Rove.

During the 1992 presidential election, he supported the candidacy of Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, a fellow populist. After Harkin dropped out, Hightower briefly supported Jerry Brown. He cast his superdelegate vote for Governor Bill Clinton, the presumptive nominee, at the Democratic National Convention.

Soon after Clinton was elected, Hightower became one of the President's most dogged left-wing critics, slamming him for his acceptance of corporate soft money contributions, his support of NAFTA, his health care plan, and his refusal to crack down on "corporate welfare," as well as what Hightower viewed as inadequate efforts at ending unemployment and poverty.

In 2000, he joined with talk show host Phil Donahue and actress Susan Sarandon to co-chair the presidential campaign of Ralph Nader. He also appeared at Nader's "super-rallies" and stumped across the country for him.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

29. Oh, of course!

Thanks for the info!

[scarletwoman]

6. Robert Reich. At least he's moderately sane in regard to economics.

Mostly, I don't give a shit anymore. The Imperial Corporatist Machine is going carry on no matter what. It doesn't matter what the proles think.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. He certainly is a possibility...

I'm afraid you're right, though...

Can we hope that with Obama at the helm things might be different?

[scarletwoman]

24. In answer to your question: no. (nt)

[saltpoint]

8. Mario Cuomo.

I'd like as large and tough a mind as possible in that job, given the circumstances we find ourselves in.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

I could easily see him there.

He sure has the qualifications.

[saltpoint]

14. Hi, California Peggy.

Happy new year !

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. Happy New Year to you too, my dear Old Crusoe!

[rwheeler31]

10. Krugman

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. Yes, another good person for the job...

[saltpoint]

12. Jon Corzine's name might start getting kicked around a bit.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. I know I've heard his name...

But I am ignorant of his history...

Can you tell me something about him?

[saltpoint]

20. Democratic governor of New Jersey.

Don't let him drive you anywhere, but yes, let him balance your checkbook.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Corzine

Very strong finance / money profile. Progressive. Tough.

[JackBeck]

13. Fred Hochberg for Secretary of Commerce.

Some may laugh about managing his mom's business that he took public, but he's had quite a diverse career.

I'm particularly impressed with his involvement with Seedco.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. My dear JackBeck!

Now, here's another man whose name I am unfamiliar with...

Can you give me a brief synopsis?

Thanks!

Happy New Year!

:hi:

[JackBeck]

25. Profile from Forbes:

http://people.forbes.com/profile/fred-p-hochberg/35557

Mr. Hochberg has served as a director since November 2004. Mr. Hochberg became Dean of Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy in January 2004. Milano is a graduate school that trains leaders for the nonprofit, public, and private sectors with a faculty who blends theory with hands-on practice, and progressive thinking with social commitment. Dean Hochberg has more than 30 years of experience in business, government, and philanthropy. From 1998 through 2001, he served as deputy then acting administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Prior to joining the Clinton administration, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Lillian Vernon Corporation, where he led the transformation of a small family mail order company into a publicly traded direct marketing corporation, one of the great success stories of American entrepreneurship. Dean Hochberg is dedicated to community service and philanthropic involvement in civil rights, education, and the arts. He currently sits on the boards of directors of the Citizens Budget Commission, FINCA International Micro Finance, Fusion Communications, Seedco, and the Howard Gilman Foundation, and is an appointed representative to the NYS Financial Control Board. He is a frequent contributor to the op-ed pages of major newspapers around the country and appears in print, as well as on television and radio as a commentator on a wide spectrum of public policy issues.

Happy New Year to you, too, Peggy.


:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. That's very helpful!

Thanks, sweetie!

:hi:

[saltpoint]

18. Seems to me Barney Frank is extremely qualified for that position.

and, not least, appointing him would piss off Britt Hume.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. And pissing off Brit Hume is ALWAYS a good idea!

[saltpoint]

23. Yer durn tootin'.

LOL!

[Wwagsthedog]

27. Houston Mayor, Bill White.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

30. Now this is an interesting choice...

I don't know him either...

Can you tell me something about him...

And why he'd be a good Commerce Secretary?

:hi:

[Uzybone]

36. He wants to run for TX Senate

[liberaltrucker]

31. Robert Reisch

A Clinton rehash.....yada fucking yada....BUT, qualified for the job.

Professor of Economics at Brandeis. Currently Economics Professor at UCB, if
memory serves.

[Jennicut]

32. Reich is okay. Likable and qualified and no scandals lurking anywhere

right?

[liberaltrucker]

35. A vertically-challenged Jewish dude with lurking scandals?

:rofl:

Um, no scandals. Dude's clean as a whistle.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. Ah yes, he was mentioned upthread...

A very qualified gentleman, I believe...

Thanks!

:hug:

[Barack_America]

37. Granholm was my first thought.

She's term-limited and already on Obama's economic team. Plus, representing Michigan, she certainly has relevant experience.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

39. Another excellent choice!

We shall see...

[liberaltrucker]

38. Too bad Gov Richardson had to withdraw

If he's clean, may he further his political career.
If dirty, may he rot in prison. My distaste for corruption
knows no political party. It's up to the system now. Waiting.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

40. I felt very badly about it too...

But I think he did the right thing...

Obama needs no distractions now as he is assembling his team.

I'm with you on corrupt politicians.

Damn 'em all...

[Hawkowl]

41. Norm Coleman for Commerce Sec!

This would truly demonstrate Obama's spirit of bipartisanship! It would also enable Harry Reid to come out from hiding under his desk and allow him to seat Al Franken.

Truly Norm Coleman would balance out some of the crazy liberals in the cabinet like Hilary Clinton and Bob Gates. Obama cherishes diverse viewpoints and Coleman would be a strong advocate for corporate welfare and more useless tax cuts.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

42. Now, that takes courage, to say this!

But I think you're onto something...

It would truly be a bipartisan move.

[Hippo_Tron]

47. Obama said he would be bipartisan

He didn't say he was going to put assholes like Norm Coleman in his cabinet.

[rug]

43. There's only one guy to get the economy moving.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

44. My dear rug...

I think you are taking unfair advantage of my ignorance, and you're playing a joke on me!

Who is this joker?

C'mon.

[rug]

45. Billy Mays, the one and only.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

46. Thank you!

The things I've learned here...

[Hippo_Tron]

48. It would be hilarious to watch Billy Mays go to congress and promote Obama's stimulus plan

[rug]

49. The Republicans would probably hire the ShamWow guy to rebut.

[Hippo_Tron]

50. If the idiots who picked Sarah Palin are still calling the shots

Then I'd say you betcha...