- 5 Women (Clinton, Napolitano, Rice, Jackson, Solis)
- 4 African Americans (Holder, Rice, Jackson, Kirk)
- 5 Westerners (Salazar, Richardson, Kirk, Solis, Napolitano -- who was born in NYC but raised in Albuquerque)
- 3 Hispanics/Latinos (Salazar, Richardson, Solis)
- 2 Asian Americans (Shinseki, Chu)
- 2 Republicans (Gates, Lahood)
- 2 Sitting Senators (Clinton, Salazar)
- 2 Sitting Governors (Napolitano, Richardson)
- ZERO OPENLY LESBIAN/GAY/BISEXUAL/TRANSGENDER members
(Hat/tip to First Read)
1 comment:
I understand the frustration here, but I think reducing things to identity politics bean-counting is unfair.
For what it's worth: 1. this cabinet is arguably the most diverse ever (in terms of total amount of women/minority members) and 2. Obama seriously considered openly gay candidates for spots and 3. he has appointed openly gay folks to high-level, although non-cabinet-level, positions.
Yes, I was disappointed that openly gay Mary Beth Maxwell was not selected for labor secretary, but after reading up on Hilda Solis it appears that she was the stronger candidate.
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