Noting that Latino voters "helped Obama win in key battleground states" like New Mexico (and I must say, great job on the Amnesty strategy there, Maverick!), AP reporter Nedra Pickler notes that some of them aren't happy that Bill Richardson didn't get picked to be Secretary of State, getting the nod to head up the Commerce Department instead:

"I definitely don't think we should characterize it as a consolation prize, but it's not enough," said Brent Wilkes, executive director of League of United Latin American Citizens.

Wilkes said the Richardson pick gets the Obama team on its way to mollifying some of the concerns raised "and if you trust what the transition team is saying, Latino leaders should be pleased" after all nominations are made. "And we do trust them," Wilkes said.

Oh, and it's not just Latinos, either. Other groups paid the piper, and now they feel like they get to pick the tune...

Floyd Mori, chair of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, said with blacks and Hispanics chosen for the Cabinet, "what is missing now is an Asian-American." He said given Obama's upbringing in Hawaii and his understanding of their community, they are optimistic he will appoint at least one. He suggested Illinois veterans affairs director Tammy Duckworth, former Washington Gov. Gary Locke or Rep. Mike Honda, D-Calif.

While I'm sure all three are more or less able public servants, allow me to ask a (doubtlessly RACIST!!!) question: Isn't that pretty much a blatant call for tokenism?

Joe Solmonese, president of the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign, sent a letter to Obama this week asking him to name labor leader Mary Beth Maxwell, a lesbian, as labor secretary. Solmonese said that he did not believe there had been an openly gay Cabinet member before, but he's confident that will change with Obama.

"Not only will we expect it, but we fully believe that it will happen," he added.

It sounds like our post-racial, post-partisan, post-everything, really, president-elect has promises to keep and miles to go before he can mollify every bloc of voters expecting a favor or two.*

*What, you thought I was going to follow all the way through with the Robert Frost line?

Posted by: Sean M. at 01:21 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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