Gephardt considered for Obama’s cabinet

[babylonsister]

:shrug: I know, speculation...

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/11/24/daily17.html

Gephardt considered for Obama’s cabinet
St. Louis Business Journal


President-elect Barack Obama is considering former U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., as a possible labor or transportation secretary, according to published media reports.

Gephardt, who retired in 2005 after 28 years in Congress, now works as a lobbyist for DLA Piper.

A request for comment from Gephardt was not immediately returned.

The other names floated as possible labor secretaries were Ed McElroy, former president of the American Federation of Teachers; Linda Chavez-Thompson, former AFL-CIO vice president; Former Rep. David Bonior, D-Mich.; and Maria Echaveste, former Clinton White House adviser.

Obama’s transition team is also considering Jane Garvey, former head of Federal Aviation Administration; Mortimer Downey, former deputy transportation secretary; and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. D-Kan., for transportation secretary.

Gephardt, a St. Louis native, was the leader of the House Democrats for nearly 14 years, serving as House majority leader from 1989 to 1994 and minority leader from 1995 to 2003.

He also serves as the advisory board chairman of the Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service at Washington University in St. Louis.

[last1standing]

1. Bonior would be a much, much better choice.

He has the trust of the labor movement and solid credentials as a progressive. It would also send a signal that Obama is serious about helping Michigan.

[flpoljunkie]

3. Yes, I agree.

[babylonsister]

6. I heard Bonior wasn't interested, but I don't remember where I

heard it.

[last1standing]

8. That honestly surprises me unless he's gearing up for a run for Governor.

I haven't heard anything to that effect, but its definitely possible.

If Bonior isn't interested there are still many better choices than Gephardt from the state of Michigan alone. I could suggest Gov. Blanchard, Sen Riegle, Rep. Levin (not Sen. Levin who wouldn't take it), Mayor Archer, or even Howard Wolpe over Gephardt. All are good solid Democrats who would fight for the working classes.

[babylonsister]

9. Like I wrote, it's all speculation until it isn't. :) nt

[last1standing]

10. That's why were here, to speculate, opine, discuss and debate.

That's the fun of DU.

[babylonsister]

11. And you forgot

'tear people limb from limb'. :rofl:

[last1standing]

12. I wish I could forget that part.

But I will say that things seem to have calmed down some today. Gives me something else to be thankful for on Thursday. :)

[Skidmore]

2. I hold Gephardt and Daschle responsible for selling Congress to *

on the war. They were too interested in the next election and thought that war would be over in a couple of weeks.

I can't tell you how little respect I have for those two.

[last1standing]

4. Gephardt was also behind the smear of Howard Dean in 2004.

He represents everything Barack Obama's campaign ran against - the same old way of doing politics, backroom deals and pandering.

[LittleApple81]

5. I remember that all of those Democrats were referred as the tutu democrats at that time and there

were some great photo shopped Liebermann and Daschel and Gephardt in tutus...

[Skidmore]

7. Exactly.

I have no respect for them.

[Tom Rinaldo]

13. Gephardt was always a very strong friend of Labor

Secretary of Labor would be a good use of his talent even though I oppoaed him for other national offices.

[BootinUp]

14. good point. nt

[theboss]

15. If you make to make Labor do backlips, give it to Gephardt

He was about the biggest friend to the Unions that there could be.