http://blogs.chron.com/txpotomac/2008/1 ... ick_n.html

December 03, 2008
Hispanic Caucus pushing Rick Noriega for Obama Cabinet

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, frustrated that just one Latino has been picked for Barack Obama's Cabinet to date, is pushing Houston state Rep. Rick Noriega and 13 other prominent Hispanics for the eight remaining spots in the president-elect's Cabinet.

Reps. Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, and Joe Baca, D-Calif., sent a letter yesterday to Obama's transition team on behalf of the Hispanic Caucus recommending that Noriega be considered for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs position. Noriega, a reserve Army officer who has served in Afghanistan, has met with the Obama team in Chicago, our Chronicle collegue Alan Bernstein reported last week. Noriega will be looking for a job in January: He gave up his seat in the Texas House to run unsuccessfully against Republican Sen. John Cornyn.

Among the other Cabinet candidates suggested by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus: Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., for U.S. Trade Representative, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion for Housing & Urban Development Secretary, Rep. Linda Sanchez for Labor Secretary and Colorado Rep. John Salazar for Agriculture Secretary.

"We understand that the incoming administration will have a vast pool of talent from which to choose," the CHC letter stated. "The individuals we have endorsed constitute the best talent, while reflecting the diversity that is so valued by President-elect Obama."

While New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former Clinton Energy Secretary and U.N. Ambassador, is the only Latino member of Obama's Cabinet announced thus far, the president-elect has chosen Hispanics for two prominent White House positions. Cecilia Munoz will serve as White House director of intergovernmental affairs and Louis Caldera to head the White House Military Affairs Office.

Becerra, a Los Angeles Democrat who has been critical of the North America Free Trade Agreement, is widely believed to be Obama's first choice to serve as U.S. Trade Rep, if he will take the job. And Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Ariz., is considered a top choice for Secretary of the Interior.

CHC Chair Baca told Bloomberg News that Caucus members would "definitely be disappointed" if only one Latino was chosen for the Cabinet. According to Bloomberg, Baca "warned that Obama's legislative agenda could be jeopardized if the president-elect doesn't nominate additional Hispanics."