"Obama Gets Do-Over and a New Chance for Women" The New Agenda

[Captain_Nemo]

TNA Press Release on Open Cabinet Seats

February 3, 2009
by The New Agenda
The New Agenda issued the following press release this evening:

February 5, 2009

Obama Gets Do-Over and a New Chance for Women

The New Agenda, a non-partisan national women’s rights group, is calling on President Obama to fill recently vacated seats with qualified women. The Secretary of Health and Human Services position is now open due to serious tax issues that derailed Senator Tom Daschle’s nomination. These tax and legal issues are also calling into question Timothy Geithner’s fitness for the Treasury Secretary position.

The New Agenda co-founder Amy Siskind said: “A fraternity of leadership has led our country into an economic crisis of epic proportions. We call on President Obama to pick from the thousands of qualified women to take these two important cabinet positions and deliver on his promise of change.”

The New Agenda also notes that President Obama’s pick for Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner is in a position that puts him in charge of the Internal Revenue Service. The New Agenda questions how a man with this history can have the nation’s confidence to lead the Treasury Department during a time of economic crisis.

The New Agenda urges President Obama to ask Timothy Geithner to resign and instead appoint FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair to take on the role of Treasury Secretary. Sheila Bair has a proven track record and the respect of Wall Street as well as Main Street.

The New Agenda noted that in total, President Obama has picked 22 cabinet positions (including Judd Gregg as Commerce Secretary after Bill Richardson withdrew). Of those first 22 picks, only 5 have been women.

Co-founder Amy Siskind said: “As President Obama selects his 23rd cabinet pick, we encourage him to remember the constituency that overwhelmingly voted him into office – the women of this country. We also encourage President Obama to give serious consideration for the person most qualified to Treasury Secretary, FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair.”

To reinforce the message that there is a rich pool of candidates, The New Agenda released the following list of exemplar candidates for Cabinet positions.

• President of the University of Miami and former HHS Secretary Donna Shalala
• U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut
• Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill
• Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar
• Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius
• Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm
• President of the National Business Group on Health Helen Darling
• Former Healthcare Finance Director Nancy Ann Min Deparle

[David Dunham]

1. Shalala blew it for Clinton on health care.

[firedupdem]

2. Are they crazy? Nobody in their right mind would ask for

Geithner to resign so he can pick a woman. How about him picking the right people for the job and not worrying about gender at this point. We are sinking fast! I think he has a very diverse cabinet. We have work to do. These people just think of shit to get pissed over.

[SpartanDem]

6. Yes they are crazy.

When will some these groups learn that it's about policy not numbers? Obama having X number of women in his cabinent doesn't make him more or less supportive of womens rights.

[omega minimo]

3. WTF my eyes glazed over all the corporate branding speak..................

"a non-partisan national women’s rights group"

[sandnsea]

4. These suggestions suck

As much as I'd like to see more women in the Cabinet, if they're exactly the same as the men, who cares.

Kitzhaber is the right choice at this point.

[bluestateguy]

5. He just signed the Lily Ledbetter Act

It was the first legislation he signed as president.

They could show a little gratitude with a simple thank you rather than making more demands.

[Starry Messenger]

7. Amy Siskind is a bloody PUMA.

Will you please stop dragging cat litter in here?

http://jezebel.com/5133025/pissed-off-pumas-dont-plan-on-letting-ms-magazine-off-easy

[MadBadger]

8. Them and NOW make me wanna gouge my eyes out with sporks

[terisan]

9. Women over half population and woefully underrepresented in government.

Even Rwanda parliament is now over 50% women. We have what- 17% in Congress and never have had a woman in elective office in the executive branch.

Another area in which the third world countries are surpassing us.

When we have over 50% women in Congress is when we will have equitable health care. Gender parity in the Cabinet might help.