Will Obama Deliver Progress with Next Cabinet Picks?

One potential choice is Rep. Xavier Becerra, a California Democrat who is in talks with the Obama transition team about heading the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, according to two Democratic officials familiar with the selection process. Mr. Becerra is widely seen as a skeptic of free trade.

Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva has emerged as a leading candidate for interior secretary, two people familiar with the deliberations said. Mr. Grijalva has been an outspoken critic of the Bush administration's policies on oil and gas drilling on public lands.

And if that's not enough to make progressives jump for joy, check out who's on tap for LABOR!
Bonior Building Behind-The-Scenes Momentum For Openly Gay Activist as Labor Secretary

Former Rep. David Bonior, who has deep roots in the labor movement, has mounted an aggressive behind-the-scenes campaign, with letters and personal lobbying, to press the Obama transition team and top labor leaders to get behind his pick for labor secretary: Union activist Mary Beth Maxwell, who would make history as the first openly gay cabinet member.

Bonior, who has been trying in vain to get his own name taken off the shortlist for the post, is also confirming for the first time that if asked by Obama, he would take the job, though he would prefer Maxwell.

"I would do anything President-Elect Obama asks me to do, but I think it's time to pass the torch to a new generation of leadership with a fresh vision for working families," Bonior said in a statement that was sent to us by his spokesperson.

"That's why I'm behind Mary Beth," continued Bonior, who has made his preference known but has shied away from making public statements about the labor sec post.

Christmas may come a little bit early this year.

Crosspost at BlueCommonwealth.com

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