Black lawmakers irked by Obama's cabinet

[liberalpragmatist]

> http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/black-lawmakers-irked-by-obamas-diverse-cabinet-2008-12-22.html

Some members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) are disappointed President-elect Obama did not appoint more African-Americans to his Cabinet.

Obama tapped four blacks for Cabinet posts, including Eric Holder. If confirmed, Holder will be the first African-American attorney general.

But Obama passed over black candidates in selecting Cabinet nominees for positions central to setting policy for urban America, such as the departments of Education, Labor, and Housing and Urban Development.

<snip>

Davis said he was pleased with Obama's Cabinet, but confirmed that there is some angst within the CBC.

“On balance, I’d say a great deal of thought went into the shaping of this Cabinet,” Davis told The Hill. “And he ended up with a real rainbow. But some people, sure, thought there should be a bit more color in it.”

Another senior member of the CBC who requested anonymity said more pointedly that Obama “isn’t doing enough for the black folks."

Huh? I can't tell whether there's real "angst" or if this is just a manufactured controversy, with reporters staking out a couple disgruntled members of the CBC.

If there is genuine disappointment, I can only surmise it might be because only one "official" cabinet member is black -- Eric Holder. However, Susan Rice, Lisa Jackson, and Ron Kirk are all "cabinet-rank" and head major departments. Also, several of Obama's senior staffers are black, such as Valerie Jarrett and Melody Barnes (the head of the Domestic Policy Council).

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Something tells me...

To expect a follow-up walkback of these comments on the morrow.

[firedupdem]

2. It's crap in my opinion. They can get with NOW and complain. n/t