President-Elect Barack Obama to Deliver Major Speech on the Economy on Thursday

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Washington, DC –President-Elect Barack Obama will deliver a major speech on the economy at George Mason University tomorrow. He will make the case for urgent action on an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that will save or create over 3 million jobs while investing in priorities like health care, energy, and education that will jumpstart economic growth.

This plan will represent not just new policy, but a new approach to meeting our challenges that focuses on responsibility, accountability, and transparency so that we can rebuild confidence and trust in our economy and our markets.

Washington, DC

MAJOR SPEECH ON THE ECONOMY

The Center for the Arts

Fairfax, VA 22030

Program Begins: 11am

What If Hillary Clinton Cannot Be Secretary of State?

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

There is a question of whether of not Hillary Clinton can legally serve as Secretary of State. Not surprisingly, it's a Constitutional question, and involves the Three Branches of Government.

Here's the Clif Notes Version: Article 1, Section 6:

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

A case can be made that Hillary Clinton cannot be appointed as Secretary of State because while she was a Senator, the Senate passed legislation this term which raised the salary of Cabinet Officers.

This has happened twice before: Nixon appointed William Saxbe as Attorney General. The solution was called the "Saxbe Fix", where they just lowered the salary back down. It didn't please all the Democrats at the time:

In the Saxbe case, 10 senators, all Democrats, voted against the ploy on constitutional grounds. Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), the only one of them who remains in the Senate, said at the time that the Constitution was explicit and "we should not delude the American people into thinking a way can be found around the constitutional obstacle."

The second time, it involved appointing Lloyd Bentsen as Secretary of the Treasury.

So, there may be a fix. HOWEVER, these are not the 1960's nor the 1990's. Now, we have an internet and a lot more transparency. Therefore, whatever happens will occur in full view of the people. There is no possibility of "burying" the item in a newspaper.

Ambinder wrote (prior to the nomination):

The question is whether this would be an issue at confirmation - if Clinton is nominated to the post - and who would raise it. Senators traditionally grant their colleagues some deference and it could be considered politics at its worst if Republicans try to block her nomination with this argument. But senators may be loathe to vote for something scholars tell them is unconstitutional.

There are two questions here: the legal and the political, separated as much as may be practicable.

The legal issue is something that will need to be debated, and could conceivably end up in front of SCOTUS, left to thread the needle between the other two branches.

On the political side, it's even more convoluted. To wit:

If the salary is reduced, and therefore the only person making less of a salary than that of Cabinet peers is a woman, how well does that play? Especially in a year given to cries of "sexism". This could be raised since the two other people to circumvent the provision were both men.

If it is legally deemed that she cannot occupy the office of Secretary of State, and that the prior appointments were invalid, what does that do to the relationship of Hillary Clinton's support base and the Democratic Party?

What of Robert Byrd? Will he back off his Constitutional objections of 30 years ago? It may not matter since this may likely be his last term, and therefore could avoid any constituent wrath. (His term is up in 2013, and he'd be running for re-election at the age of 94. His health is not good.)

One of the battle cries over the last eight years has been the evisceration of the U.S. Constitution by the Bush administration. What sort of political message would be sent by working around part of Article 1?

If Hillary Clinton does not become Secretary of State, and ergo cannot hold any other appointed position, does she go back to the Senate? Go back to the Senate and launch a run for the Governorship of New York? Leave elective office to work with her husband?

Vice President-elect Biden Announces Chief Economist And Economic Policy Advisor

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

WASHINGTON, DC – Given the critical nature of the economic challenges facing America, Vice President-elect Joe Biden announced today the creation of a new position in the Office of the Vice President: Chief Economist and Economic Policy Advisor to the Vice President. The Vice President-elect has selected nationally-prominent economist Jared Bernstein for the post.

“Jared Bernstein is an acclaimed economist, and a proven, passionate advocate for raising the incomes of middle class families. His expertise and background in a wide range of domestic and international economic policies will be an invaluable asset to the Obama-Biden Administration,” said Vice President-elect Joe Biden. “It’s an honor to have him on my team and I look forward to his advice and counsel.”

Jared Bernstein, Chief Economist and Economic Policy Advisor to the Vice President
Jared Bernstein is an expert in the areas of federal, state and international economic policies, specifically the middle-class squeeze, income inequality and mobility, trends in employment and earnings, low-wage labor markets, poverty and international comparisons. Bernstein has been an economist at the Economic Policy Institute since 1992 and is a renowned author of several books and academic treatises on the economy and the middle class. From 1995-1996, he served as Deputy Chief Economist for the Department of Labor under Labor Secretary Robert Reich. Bernstein is on the Congressional Budget Office’s advisory committee and has been a contributor to the financial news station CNBC. He has also taught at Howard University, Columbia University and New York University. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts from the Manhattan School of Music; a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Hunter School of Social Work; a Masters Degree in Philosophy and Ph.D. in Social Welfare from Columbia University.

(Rumored) Secretary of Health & Human Services Nominee Tom Daschle on Health Care

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

From Change.gov:

Since we opened up our discussion on health care a week ago, thousands of people have shared their stories, experiences, and ideas -- best of all, people have responded to one another, taking the conversation in new and interesting directions.

It's exactly the kind of participation we were hoping for, and that we're counting on. It's what the Transition is all about.

The interest in the subject is clearly intense, so we sat in on a meeting of the Transition's Health Policy Team to introduce you to some of the team's members and give you a feel for how they make decisions.

Senator Tom Daschle, the leader of the Health Policy Team, sat down to tell us how he plans to tackle health care and his future plans for opening up the process further.

Note that Jennifer Backus, who is seen in the video, was the Obama Campaign's senior adviser for the convention in Denver.

Guess Who Might Be Moving To The White House?

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Of course, you know that would be the Obama family and a dog to be named at a later date.

But there is a possibility that Marian Robinson will be joining them. She is definitely moving to DC to help with the care of her granddaughters, but it is as of yet unclear whether she will be moving to the White House or to a residence of her own.

If she does take up residence at the White House, she will not be the first mother-in-law-in-residence. (Trivia question: name her!)

Harry Truman's mother in law briefly lived in the White House, but hated it, and went back to Missouri. Rumour has it that she really disliked her son-in-law, and believed Dewey was going to beat him in '48.

While a father-in-law is not a possibility for the Obama family, if it were, it wouldn't be a first. Benjamin Harrison's father-in-law moved to the White House in 1889.

Waiting for The Call

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

I can't tell you who I am. Like you, I'm hoping to get a political appointment in the Obama administration. I'm trying to project the aloof and elite appearance of a soon-to-be-announced Schedule C.
...
I too have the dreams featuring, in no apparent order, Vice President Elect Joe Biden, Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton and, yes, even the man himself, President-Elect Obama.

Sometimes in these dreams they offer me a job, and sometimes they say they can't offer me a job because they can't find my resume amidst the other 300,000 on www.change.gov. I wake in a cold sweat.

Like you, I keep a secret "A list" of positions I would kill for, including all manner of ambassador slots, sub-secretary -ships and senior director positions.

I have my secret "B list" of fall back positions I would also kill for, including senior advisor, special assistant, and even the Deputy Assistant Secretary-ship. Of course, I tell almost no one about these lists.
...
Why aren't we getting the call? Why did I do all of that volunteer work on the campaign? What did I do wrong? How can they treat me this way? Most importantly, don't they know who I am? (Literally?)
...
And while some of our transition angst is driven by ego, the overriding impulse is a desire to serve our country at a time of great challenges . . . . oh wait, that's my phone. Gotta run. - The Washington Note

Ambassadors

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

The Obama administration has informed all politically-appointed ambassadors that they will need to vacate their offices by 20 January 2009.

We will be putting up a list of countries, adding the new ambassadors as they are named.

In the interim, please feel free to use to comments to cite who you would like to see as ambassador to which country.

We have a fair amount of non-Americans who read DCW, and I'll be especially interested to see which American you would like to see representing the U.S. in your country.

President-elect Obama Names Bill Richardson for Secretary of Commerce

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama--as prepared for delivery
Announcement of Commerce Secretary
Chicago, Illinois
December 3, 2008

Last week, Vice President-Elect Biden and I began the process of announcing our economic team. Today, we are pleased to name another key member of this team: our nominee for Secretary of Commerce, my friend, Governor Bill Richardson.

With each passing day, the work our team has begun, developing plans to revive our economy, becomes more urgent. Earlier this week, we learned that the U.S. economy has been in recession since December of 2007 and that our manufacturing output is at a 26 year low – two stark reminders of the magnitude of the challenges we face.

But while I know rebuilding our economy won’t be easy – and it won’t happen overnight – I also know this: right now, somewhere in America, a small business is at work on the next big idea. A scientist is on the cusp of the next breakthrough discovery. An entrepreneur is sketching plans for the startup that will revolutionize an industry. Right now, across America, the finest products in the world are rolling off our assembly lines. And the proudest, most determined, most productive workers in the world are on the job – some, already on their second shift of the day; many, putting in longer hours than ever before.

After nearly two years traveling across this country, meeting with workers, visiting businesses large and small, I am more confident than ever before that we have everything we need to renew our economy – we have the ingenuity and technology, the skill and commitment – we just need to put it to work. It’s time to not just address our immediate economic threats, but to start laying the groundwork for long-term economic prosperity – to help American businesses grow and thrive at home, and expand our efforts to promote American enterprise around the world.

This work is the core mission of the Secretary of Commerce. And with his breadth and depth of experience in public life, Governor Richardson is uniquely suited for this role as a leading economic diplomat for America.

During his time in state government and Congress, and in two tours of duty in the cabinet, Bill has seen from just about every angle what makes our economy work and what keeps it from working better.

As Governor of New Mexico, Bill showed how government can act as a partner to support our businesses, helping create 80,000 new jobs. And under his leadership, New Mexico saw the lowest unemployment rate in decades.

As a former Secretary of Energy, Bill understands the steps we must take to build a new, clean-energy industry and create the green jobs of the twenty-first century. Jobs that pay well and won’t be shipped overseas – jobs that will help us end our dependence on foreign oil.

And as a former Ambassador to the United Nations, Bill brings both international stature and a deep understanding of today’s global economy. He understands that the success of today’s business in Detroit or Columbus often depends on whether it can sell products in places like Santiago or Shanghai. And he knows that America’s reputation in the world is critical not just to our security, but to our prosperity – that when the citizens of the world respect America’s leadership, they are more likely to buy America’s products.

To this crucial work of restoring America’s international standing, Bill will bring a leadership style all his own. Bill has never been content to learn just from briefing books – never satisfied with only the official version of the story. During his time in Congress, he held more than 2,500 town-hall meetings, so he could hear directly from constituents. He was a regular in the U.N. cafeteria, mixing it up with U.N. employees over lunch. And during his 2002 campaign for Governor, he actually broke a world record by shaking nearly 14,000 hands in just eight hours.

All of this reflects a determination to reach out and understand where people are coming from, what they hope for, and what he can do to help. This approach, I believe, has been the key to Bill’s success as a negotiator and will be key to his work on the critical functions of the Commerce Department – from administering our census and monitoring our climate to protecting our intellectual property and restoring our economic diplomacy.

In the end, Bill Richardson is a leader who shares my values -- and he measures progress the same way I do. Are we creating good jobs, instead of losing them? Are incomes growing, instead of shrinking? I know that Bill will be an unyielding advocate for American business and American jobs, at home and around the world. And I look forward to working with him in the years ahead.

Presidential Appointment List - Senate Confirmation Required

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

DemConWatch will be keeping track of all of the major staff announcements in the Obama Administration. We'll list the Position, Nominee, Committee and Hearing and Vote Information.

The first table lists the 15 Cabinet members and 4 cabinet-level positions (not including the Chief of Staff or the Vice President). These are the people that are allowed into cabinet meetings. Information has been gathered from the Plum Book as well as several other government sites. The positions addressed in this list are marked as PAS in the Plum Book.

We will not list positions like Ambassadors, US Attorneys or US Marshals at this time. Rumored cabinet appointments can be seen in our Cabinet Watch: Rumors post.

You can see our list of appointees that do not require Senate confirmation here. Both of these lists will be very large and are not yet complete. We will add positions as quickly as possible.

The latest updates can always be found on our Presidential Appointment Updates post.

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Secretary of State	Hillary Clinton	Foreign Relations	Jan 13	TBD
Secretary of the Treasury	Tim Geithner	Finance	Jan 14	TBD
Secretary of Defense	Robert Gates	Armed Services	Not Needed	N/A
Attorney General	Eric Holder	Judiciary	Jan 15	TBD
Secretary of the Interior	Ken Salazar	Energy & Natural Resources	Jan 15	TBD
Secretary of Agriculture	Tom Vilsack	Agriculture	Jan 14	TBD
Secretary of Commerce		Commerce, Science & Transportation	TBD	TBD
Secretary of Labor	Hilda Solis	Health, Education, Labor & Pension	Jan 9	TBD
Secretary of Health & Human Services	Tom Daschle	Health, Education, Labor & Pension	Jan 8	TBD
Secretary of Health & Human Services	Tom Daschle	Finance	TBD	N/A
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development	Shaun Donovan	Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs	Jan 13	TBD
Secretary of Transportation	Ray LaHood	Commerce, Science & Transportation	TBD	TBD
Secretary of Energy	Steven Chu	Energy & Natural Resources	Jan 13	TBD
Secretary of Education	Arne Duncan	Health, Education, Labor & Pension	Jan 13	TBD
Secretary of Veteran Affairs	Eric Shinseki	Veterans' Affairs	Jan 14	TBD
Secretary of Homeland Security	Janet Napolitano	Homeland Security & Government Affairs	TBD	TBD
Administrator of the EPA	Lisa Jackson	Environment & Public Works	TBD	TBD
Director of Office Management & Budget	Peter Orszag	Budget	Jan 14	TBD
Director of National Drug Control Policy	TBA	Judiciary	TBD	TBD
US Trade Representative	Ron Kirk	Finance	TBD	TBD
Last updated: 1/7/09

Click on There's more to see the rest of the positions requiring Senate confirmation.

Read more...

Click on the department to see a list of all positions, nominations and confirmation updated.

Executive Office of the President

Department of State

Department of the Treasury

Department of Defense

Department of Justice

Department of the Interior

Department of Agriculture

Department of Commerce

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Deputy Secretary	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Administrator & Chief Financial Officer	TBA		TBD	TBD
General Counsel	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry & Security	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Export Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Export Enforcement	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary for Economic Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Director, Bureau of the Census	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary for International Trade	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Import Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Market Access & Compliance	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Manufacturing & Services	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary & Director General of US Foreign Commercial Services	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans & Atmosphere & NOAA Administrator	Jane Lubchenco		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary of Commerce for Oceans & Atmosphere	TBA		TBD	TBD
Chief Scientist	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Telecommunications & Information	TBA		TBD	TBD
Inspector General	TBA		TBD	TBD
Director, National Institute of Standard & Technology	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property & Director of the US Patent & Trademark Office	TBA		TBD	TBD
Last updated: 12/21/08

Department of Labor

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Deputy Secretary of Labor	TBA		TBD	TBD
Commissioner of Labor Statistics	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Employee Benefits Security	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Employment Standards	TBA		TBD	TBD
Wage & Hour Administrator	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Employment & Training	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Mine Safety & Health	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Occupational Safety & Health	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Administration & Management	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Policy	TBA		TBD	TBD
Chief Financial Officer	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Congressional & Intergovernmental Affirs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Disability Employment Policy	TBA		TBD	TBD
Inspector General	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Public Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Solicitor of Labor	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Veterans Employment & Training	TBA		TBD	TBD
Director of Women's Bureau	TBA		TBD	TBD
Last updated: 11/20/08

Department of Health and Human Services

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Asst Secretary for Resources & Technology	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Preparedness & Response	TBA		TBD	TBD
General Counsel	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Planning & Evaluation	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Public Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary, Health	TBA		TBD	TBD
Surgeon General	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Legislation	TBA		TBD	TBD
Inspector General	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Aging (Commissioner for Aging)	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Children & Families	TBA		TBD	TBD
Commissioner, Administration for Children, Youth & Families	TBA		TBD	TBD
Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services	TBA		TBD	TBD
Commissioner of Food & Drugs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Director, Indian Health Service	TBA		TBD	TBD
Director, National Institutes of Health	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services	TBA		TBD	TBD
Last updated: 11/20/08

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Deputy Secretary	TBA		TBD	TBD
Chief Financial Officer	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Community Planning & Development	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Congressional & Intergovernmental Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity	TBA		TBD	TBD
Director, Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight	TBA		TBD	TBD
General Counsel	TBA		TBD	TBD
President, Government National Mortgage Association	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner	TBA		TBD	TBD
Inspector General	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Policy Development & Research	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Public Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Public & Indian Housing	TBA		TBD	TBD
Last updated: 11/20/08

Department of Transportation

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Deputy Secretary	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary for Transportation for Policy	TBA		TBD	TBD
General Counsel	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Budget & Programs & Chief Financial Officer	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Transportation Policy	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Governmental Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Aviation & International Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Inspector General	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, Federal Transit Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, Maritime Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, Research & Innovative Technology Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation	TBA		TBD	TBD
Chairman, Surface Transportation Board	TBA		TBD	TBD
Board Member, Surface Transportation Board	TBA		TBD	TBD
Board Member, Surface Transportation Board	TBA		TBD	TBD
Last updated: 11/20/08

Department of Energy

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Deputy Secretary	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary for Science	TBA		TBD	TBD
Chief Financial Officer	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Policy and International Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
General Counsel	TBA		TBD	TBD
Director, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator, Energy Information Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Inspector General	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary	TBA		TBD	TBD
Assistant Secretary, (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy)	TBA		TBD	TBD
Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management	TBA		TBD	TBD
Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy	TBA		TBD	TBD
Assistant Secretary of Energy (Nuclear Energy)	TBA		TBD	TBD
Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management	TBA		TBD	TBD
Assistant Secretary, (Energy Delivery and Energy Reliablity)	TBA		TBD	TBD
Director, Office of Science	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary for Nuclear Security/Administrator for Nuclear Safety	TBA		TBD	TBD
Principal Secretary for National Nuclear Security	TBA		TBD	TBD
Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security	TBA		TBD	TBD
Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation	TBA		TBD	TBD
Last updated: 11/22/08

Department of Education

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Deputy Secretary	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary	TBA		TBD	TBD
Chief Financial Officer	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Management	TBA		TBD	TBD
Inspector General	TBA		TBD	TBD
General Counsel	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Civil Rights	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Postsecondary Education	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services	TBA		TBD	TBD
Commissioner Rehabilitative Services	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education	TBA		TBD	TBD
Commissioner of Education Statistics	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary, Office of Communications & Outreach	TBA		TBD	TBD
Last updated: 12/23/08

Department of Veterans' Affairs

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Deputy Secretary	TBA		TBD	TBD
Inspector General	TBA		TBD	TBD
Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals	TBA		TBD	TBD
General Counsel	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Management	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Policy and Planning	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Human Resources & Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Public & Intergovernmental Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Congressional & Legislative Affairs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Information & Technology	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Operations, Security & Preparedness	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary for Benefits	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary for Health	TBA		TBD	TBD
Last updated: 12/23/08

Department of Homeland Security

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Deputy Secretary	TBA		TBD	TBD
Director, Office of Counternarcotics Enfdorcement	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Health Affairs & Chief Medical Officer	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary for Policy	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary for Intelligence & Analysis	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary for National Protection & Programs	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary for Management	TBA		TBD	TBD
Chief Financial Officer	TBA		TBD	TBD
Under Secretary for Science & Technology	TBA		TBD	TBD
Commissioner, US Customs & Border Protection	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary, US Immigration & Customs Enforcement	TBA		TBD	TBD
Director, US Citizenship & Immigration Services	TBA		TBD	TBD
Administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency	TBA		TBD	TBD
Deputy Administrator for Federal EmergencyManagement Agency	TBA		TBD	TBD
Deputy Administrator for National Preparedness	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Administrator, US Fire Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Asst Secretary, Transportation Security Administration	TBA		TBD	TBD
Last updated: 12/23/08

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Chairman	Gary Gensler
Last updated: 12/18/08

Federal Reserve System (14 Year Tenure for each position)

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Governor	Dan Tarullo
Governor
Governor
Governor
Governor
Last updated: 12/18/08

Securities & Exchange Commission

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Chairman	Mary Schapiro
Last updated: 12/18/08

Small Business Administration

Position	Nominee	Committee	Hearing Status	Vote Status
Administrator	Karen Mills
Last updated: 12/20/08

Richardson to Commerce

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Matt reported last night the Bill Richardson will be appointed as Secretary of Commerce today. I realized I didn't know enough about the Department of Commerce, and decided to investigate their site.

What, I wondered, would be of most interest to Governor Richardson? While I don't pretend to know his interests, what struck me first is that Commerce is over the Bureau of the Census.

This means that one of Richardson's challenges will be the 2010 decennial count. Back in the 90's there was a lot of discussion on whether there should be a direct count, or a projected estimate based on the number of people missed because they refused to respond. The Census numbers affect aid from the Fed to States based on population and the number of Congressmen/Congresswomen accorded each state, amoung other things.

How we count population is not strictly a numerical output, there are overriding political considerations. These relate to the counting of undocumented immigrants, as well as revisiting statistical sampling, and post-enumeration surveys to account for consistently undercounted groups, like African Americans.

I greatly respect Bill Richardson for all of his accomplishments. I believe he would have made a terrific Secretary of State. Any position filled by the Governor is worthwhile. But suddenly, in seeing that Commerce oversees the Census, the pick suddenly made a lot more sense.

President-Elect Barack Obama Names Louis Caldera Director of White House Military Office

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama announced today that Louis Caldera will serve as Director of the White House Military Office. Caldera brings a lifetime of military and public service to the Military Office, which coordinates all military support for Presidential operations.

“Louis has served his country with distinction in uniform and in government, and his pedigree is second-to-none. I know he’ll bring to the White House the same dedication and integrity that have earned him the highest praise in every post, from Secretary of the Army to university president,” said President-elect Obama.

Louis Caldera, Director, White House Military Office
Caldera has had a distinguished 30-year career as a soldier, lawyer, legislator, high ranking government official, university president and professor of law. In 1992, Caldera was elected to the California State Assembly, and later served in the Clinton administration. From 1997 to 1998, Caldera was managing director and chief operating officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service. From 1998 to 2001, he served as the nation’s 17th Secretary of the Army. He has served as a vice chancellor for the California State University system and president of the University of New Mexico, after which he joined the faculty of the UNM School of Law as a tenured professor. Caldera is a member of the Board of Trustees of Claremont McKenna College and of The National World War II Museum, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Caldera is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned his law and business degrees at Harvard University in 1987, later practicing law in Los Angeles.

Transition Team Releases Donor List

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

In keeping with President-elect Obama's pledge to run the most open and transparent transition in history, the Obama-Biden Transition Project has voluntarily chosen to release the names of its donors on a monthly basis. As of November 15, 2008, a total of $1,170,937.44 had been raised from 1,776 donors.

The Obama-Biden Transition project only accepts contributions from individuals' personal funds – we refuse all donations from corporations, labor unions, and PACs. Individuals may not donate more than $5,000. We also refuse all contributions from registered federal lobbyists and registered foreign agents.

You can read the full list at Change.gov.

Announcement of National Security Team - Video & Transcript

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Remarks of President-Elect Barack
Announcement of National Security Team
December 1, 2008
Chicago, Illinois

Good morning. Last week, we announced our economic team, which is working as we speak to craft an Economic Recovery Program to create jobs and grow our struggling economy. Today, Vice President-elect Biden and I are pleased to announce our national security team.

The national security challenges we face are just as grave – and just as urgent – as our economic crisis. We are fighting two wars. Old conflicts remain unresolved, and newly assertive powers have put strains on the international system. The spread of nuclear weapons raises the peril that the world’s deadliest technology could fall into dangerous hands. Our dependence on foreign oil empowers authoritarian governments and endangers our planet.

Read more...

America must also be strong at home to be strong abroad. We need to provide education and opportunity for our citizens, so every American can compete with anyone, anywhere. And our economic power must sustain our military strength, our diplomatic leverage, and our global leadership.

The common thread linking these challenges is the fundamental reality that in the 21st century, our destiny is shared with the world’s. From our markets to our security; from our public health to our climate –we must act with the understanding that, now more than ever, we have a stake in what happens across the globe. And as we learned so painfully on 9/11, terror cannot be contained by borders, nor safety provided by oceans alone.

Last week, we were reminded of this threat once again when terrorists took the lives of six American among nearly 200 victims in Mumbai. In the world we seek, there is no place for those who kill innocent civilians to advance hateful extremism. This weekend, I told Prime Minister Singh that Americans stand with the people of India in this dark time. And I am confident that India’s great democracy is more resilient than killers who would tear it down.

And so, in this uncertain world, the time has come for a new beginning – a new dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century, and to seize the opportunities embedded in those challenges. We will strengthen our capacity to defeat our enemies and support our friends. We will renew old alliances and forge new and enduring partnerships. We will show the world once more that America is relentless in defense of our people, steady in advancing our interests, and committed to the ideals that shine as a beacon to the world: democracy and justice; opportunity and unyielding hope – because American values are America’s greatest export to the world.

To succeed, we must pursue a new strategy that skillfully uses, balances, and integrates all elements of American power: our military and diplomacy; our intelligence and law enforcement; our economy and the power of our moral example. The team that we have assembled here today is uniquely suited to do just that.

In their past service and plans for the future, these men and women represent all of those elements of American power, and the very best of the American example. They have served in uniform and as diplomats; they have worked as legislators, law enforcement officials, and executives. They share my pragmatism about the use of power, and my sense of purpose about America’s role as a leader in the world.

I have known Hillary Clinton as a friend, a colleague, a source of counsel, and as a campaign opponent. She possesses an extraordinary intelligence and toughness, and a remarkable work ethic. I am proud that she will be our next Secretary of State. She is an American of tremendous stature who will have my complete confidence; who knows many of the world’s leaders; who will command respect in every capitol; and who will clearly have the ability to advance our interests around the world.

Hillary’s appointment is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances. There is much to do – from preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to Iran and North Korea, to seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, to strengthening international institutions. I have no doubt that Hillary Clinton is the right person to lead our State Department, and to work with me in tackling this ambitious foreign policy agenda.

At a time when we face an unprecedented transition amidst two wars, I have asked Robert Gates to continue as Secretary of Defense, and I’m pleased that he’s accepted. Two years ago, he took over the Pentagon at a difficult time. He restored accountability. He won the confidence of military commanders, and the trust of our brave men and women in uniform, and their families. He earned the respect of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle for his pragmatism and competence. He knows that we need a sustainable national security strategy – and that includes a bipartisan consensus at home.

As I said throughout the campaign, I will be giving Secretary Gates and our military a new mission as soon as I take office: responsibly ending the war in Iraq through a successful transition to Iraqi control. We will also ensure that we have the strategy – and resources – to succeed against al Qaeda and the Taliban. As Bob said not too long ago, Afghanistan is where the war on terror began, and it is where it must end. And going forward, we will continue to make the investments necessary to strengthen our military and increase our ground forces to defeat the threats of the 21st century.

Eric Holder has the talent and commitment to succeed as Attorney General from his first day on the job, which is even more important in a transition that demands vigilance. He has distinguished himself as a prosecutor, a Judge, and a senior official, and he is deeply familiar with the law enforcement challenges we face– from terrorism to counter-intelligence; from white collar crime to public corruption.

Eric also has the combination of toughness and independence that we need at the Justice Department. Let me be clear: the Attorney General serves the American people. And I have every expectation that Eric will protect our people, uphold the public trust, and adhere to our Constitution.

Janet Napolitano offers the experience and executive skill that we need in the next Secretary of Homeland Security. She has spent her career protecting people – as a US Attorney, an Attorney General, and as Governor of Arizona. She understands the need for a Department of Homeland Security that has the capacity to help prevent terrorist attacks and respond to catastrophe – be it manmade or natural.

Janet assumes this critical role having learned the lessons – some of them painful – of the last several years, from 9/11 to Katrina. She insists on competence and accountability. She knows firsthand the need to have a partner in Washington that works well with state and local governments. She understands as well as anyone the danger of an unsecure border. And she will be a leader who can reform a sprawling Department while safeguarding our homeland.

Susan Rice will take on the crucial task of serving as Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations. Susan has been a close and trusted advisor. As in previous Administrations, the UN Ambassador will serve as a member of my cabinet and integral member of my team. Her background as a scholar, on the National Security Council, and Assistant Secretary of State will serve our nation well at the United Nations.

Susan knows that the global challenges we face demand global institutions that work. She shares my belief that the UN is an indispensable – and imperfect – forum. She will carry the message that our commitment to multilateral action must be coupled with a commitment to reform. We need the UN to be more effective as a venue for collective action – against terror and proliferation; climate change and genocide; poverty and disease.

Finally, I am convinced that General James Jones is uniquely suited to be a strong and skilled National Security Advisor. Generations of Joneses have served heroically on the battlefield – from the beaches of Tarawa in World War II, to Foxtrot Ridge in Vietnam. Jim’s Silver Star is a proud part of that legacy. He will bring to the job the dual experience of serving in uniform and as a diplomat. He has commanded a platoon in battle, served as Supreme Allied Commander in a time of war, and worked on behalf of peace in the Middle East.

Jim is focused on the threats of today and the future. He understands the connection between energy and national security, and has worked on the frontlines of global instability – from Kosovo to northern Iraq to Afghanistan. He will advise me and work effectively to integrate our efforts across the government, so that we are effectively using all elements of American power to defeat unconventional threats and promote our values.

I am confident that this is the team that we need to make a new beginning for American national security. This morning, we met to discuss the situation in Mumbai and some of the challenges that we face in the months and years ahead. In the coming weeks, I will be in close contact with these advisors, who will be working with their counterparts in the Bush Administration to make sure that we are ready to hit the ground running on January 20. Given the range of threats that we face – and the vulnerability that can be a part of every presidential transition – I hope that we can proceed swiftly for those national security officials who demand confirmation.

We move forward with the humility that comes with knowing that there are brave men and women protecting us on the front lines. Troops serving their second, third, or fourth tours. Diplomats and intelligence officers in dangerous corners of the world. FBI agents in the field, cops on the beat, prosecutors in our courts, and cargo inspectors at our ports. These selfless Americans whose names are unknown to most of us will form the backbone of our effort. If we serve as well as they do, we will protect our country and promote our values.

And we move forward with respect for America’s tradition of a bipartisan national security policy, and a commitment to national unity. When it comes to keeping our nation and our people safe, we are not Republicans and we are not Democrats: we are Americans. There is no monopoly of power or wisdom in either party. Together, as one nation, as one people, we can shape our times instead of being shaped by them. Together, we will meet the challenges of the 21st century not with fear, but with hope.

Now, before I take questions, I’d like to invite my team to say a few words, starting with my friend Hillary Clinton. Thank you.

Hillary Clinton Officially Nominated for Secretary of State; Security Team Announced

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

You can watch the press conference live at CNN.COM.
And now it's official...

CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden officially announced key members of their national security team today: nominating Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, selecting Defense Secretary Robert Gates to remain as Secretary of Defense, nominating Eric Holder as Attorney General, nominating Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, nominating Susan Rice as Ambassador to the United Nations and selecting General Jim Jones, USMC (Ret) as National Security Adviser.

"In this uncertain world, the time has come for a new beginning – a new dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century, and to seize the opportunities embedded in those challenges. To succeed, we must pursue a new strategy that skillfully uses, balances, and integrates all elements of American power: our military and diplomacy; our intelligence and law enforcement; our economy and the power of our moral example. The team that we have assembled here today is uniquely suited to do just that. They share my pragmatism about the use of power, and my sense of purpose about America’s role as a leader in the world," said President-elect Obama.

"It is an honor to be a part of this team, led by the President Elect – a team that will see to it that America can lead the world not only by the example of our power, but also by the power of our example. I believe we have assembled a national security team that is poised to recapture the totality of America’s strength," said Vice President-elect Biden.

The national security team members announced today are listed below:

Senator Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State
Over nearly four decades in public service, as an attorney, First Lady, Senator, and presidential candidate, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has become one of the nation's foremost champions for children and families and advocates for women's rights and human rights. During the Clinton Administration, she transformed the role of First Lady, fighting for universal health care and helping to lead successful bipartisan efforts to improve the adoption and foster care systems, reduce teen pregnancy, and provide health care to millions of children through the Children’s Health Insurance Program. As a representative of the United States, she championed American interests as well as the rights of women and girls in more than eighty countries around the world. In November 2000, Senator Clinton became the first First Lady elected to public office and the first woman elected independently in New York State; she has since won reelection. In the Senate, she has continued to advocate for equal access to health care, education, and economic opportunity for women and girls around the world. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Clinton has fought for and secured in law improved health care for members of the National Guard and Reserves and worked to bring our troops home safely and responsibly from Iraq. She also serves as the only Senate member of the Transformation Advisory Group to the Joint Forces Command, working to modernize our military. And Senator Clinton has continued to fight for quality, affordable health care for every American, working to strengthen the Children’s Health Insurance Program and expand the use of health information technology. Most recently, as a groundbreaking candidate for President of the United States, Senator Clinton became the first woman ever to win a presidential primary, receiving more than 18 million votes as an advocate for working families and a voice for millions of Americans who have felt invisible to their government.

Read more...

Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense
Dr. Robert M. Gates was sworn in on December 18, 2006, as the 22nd Secretary of Defense. Before entering his present post, Secretary Gates was the President of Texas A&M University, the nation's seventh largest university. Prior to assuming the presidency of Texas A&M on August 1, 2002, he served as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M from 1999 to 2001. Secretary Gates served as Director of Central Intelligence from 1991 until 1993. Secretary Gates is the only career officer in CIA's history to rise from entry-level employee to Director. He served as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from 1986 until 1989 and as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser at the White House from January 20, 1989, until November 6, 1991, for President George H.W. Bush. Secretary Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, has twice received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and has three times received CIA's highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal. Secretary Gates received his bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary, his master's degree in history from Indiana University, and his doctorate in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University.

Eric Holder, Attorney General
Mr. Holder is a litigation partner at Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, DC. During his professional career, Mr. Holder has held a number of significant positions in government. Upon graduating from Columbia Law School, he moved to Washington, DC and joined the Department of Justice as part of the Attorney General's Honors Program. In 1988, Mr. Holder was nominated by President Reagan to become an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was confirmed by the Senate and his investiture occurred in October of that year. Over the next five years, Judge Holder presided over hundreds of civil and criminal trials and matters. In 1993, President Clinton nominated Mr. Holder to become the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. He was confirmed later that year and served as the head of the largest United States Attorneys office in the nation for nearly four years. In 1997, President Clinton appointed Mr. Holder to serve as Deputy Attorney General, the number two position in the United States Department of Justice. He became the first African-American to serve as Deputy Attorney General. Mr. Holder briefly served under President Bush as Acting Attorney General pending the confirmation of Attorney General John Ashcroft. Mr. Holder attended Columbia College, majored in American History, and graduated in 1973. Mr. Holder then attended Columbia Law School from which he graduated in 1976. While in law school, he clerked at the N.A.A.C.P. Legal Defense Fund and the Department of Justice's Criminal Division.

Governor Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
Named one of America's Top Five Governors by Time magazine and one of America's top women leaders by Newsweek, Janet Napolitano stands out as a leader in developing innovative solutions to some of our country's greatest challenges. As Governor of Arizona, she's fought for quality schools, affordable healthcare, sensible economic development, a safe homeland, a secure border, and a government that is run efficiently and responsibly. She led the successful effort to create a new grade level in public school by offering voluntary full day kindergarten to every Arizona family. She raised teacher pay, expanded access to health insurance, and saved seniors millions on prescription drugs. Her homeland security background is extensive: as U.S. Attorney for Arizona, Napolitano led the Arizona portion of the domestic terrorism investigation into the Oklahoma City bombing; as Attorney General, she helped write the law to break up human smuggling rings; and as Governor, she implemented the first state homeland security strategy in the nation and opened the first state counter-terrorism center. She is a leader in coordinating federal, state, local and bi-national homeland security efforts, having presided over large-scale disaster preparedness exercises to ensure well-crafted and functional emergency plans. Napolitano was the first governor to call for the National Guard to assist at the U.S. - Mexico border at federal expense, and is a leading national voice for comprehensive immigration reform. The past chair of the National Governors Association- the first woman in history to hold this position- Janet Napolitano was re-elected in 2006 in a landslide victory as Arizona's 21st Governor. Prior to her election as Governor of Arizona, Napolitano served one term as Arizona Attorney General and four years as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona.

Susan Rice, Ambassador to the United Nations
Dr. Susan E. Rice served most recently as a Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Obama for America campaign while on leave from the Brookings Institution where she is a Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy and Global Economy and Development Programs. Rice currently serves on the Obama-Biden Transition Project Advisory Board. From 1997-2001, she was U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Prior to that, Rice served in the White House at the National Security Council as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs and as Director for International Organizations and Peacekeeping. Rice was previously a management consultant at McKinsey and Company. She received her B.A. in History with Honors from Stanford University and her M.Phil. and D.Phil. (Ph.D.) degrees in International Relations from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.

General Jim Jones, USMC (Ret), National Security Advisor
General Jim Jones, USMC (Ret) is president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber Institute for 21st Century Energy. From July 1999 to January 2003, Jones was the 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps. After relinquishing command as Commandant, he assumed the positions of Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) and Commander of the United States European Command (COMUSEUCOM), positions he held until December 2006. During this final assignment, he encouraged the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to regard global energy as a security issue and advocated that the alliance consider the defense of critical infrastructures as a 21st century collective security mission. Jones retired from active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps February 1, 2007, after more than 40 years of service. In addition to having been awarded national and international military awards, Jones received a bachelor of science degree (1966) and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters (2002) from Georgetown University. In June 1985, he graduated from the National War College in Washington, D.C.

What About Bill?

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

It appears that there will be nine conditions placed on Bill Clinton as part of the deal for Hillary to be Secretary of State. To wit:

The release of the names of 208,000 donors who have given to his library and his Global Initiative. These names will likely include: The Saudi royal family, the King of Morocco, a foundation linked to the United Arab Emirates, the governments of Kuwait and Qatar, and a tycoon who is the son-in-law of the former authoritarian president of Ukraine. In addition:

"Trustees" who have donated at least $1m to the foundation include the Saudi royal family, the governments of Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, Brunei and Taiwan, Saudi businessmen, the Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon, Issam Fares, the film director Steven Spielberg and the heir to the Wal-Mart retail empire Alice Walton.

*Sir Tom Hunter, the Scottish businessman, donates $10m a year for economic development in Africa.

* "Humanitarians" who have given between $100,000 and $500,000 include the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, and religious groups.

The list has been turned over to the Obama-Biden Transition Team, and will be made public by the end of December. Note: before Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearing.

Speaking engagements and business activities will need to be vetted by the Obama administration, specifically by the ethics department of the State Department, and possibly by the White House counsel's office.

Remember, the last time he was asked about his wife as SoS, he was in Kuwait, earning a rumoured half a million for the speech.

Monday, 1 December 2008: Part 2

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Today, President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will hold a 10:40am Eastern press conference at the Chicago Hilton to announce members of their national security team.

You know the rumours:

Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State
Eric Holder as Attorney General
Janet Napolitano as Secretary of Homeland Security
Bob Gates as Secretary of Defense
Gen James Jones as National Security Adviser
Susan Rice as Ambassador to the UN

Also today, on the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, President-elect Obama will deliver taped remarks by video to the Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health hosted by Pastor Rick Warren in Washington, D.C.

We'll post the remarks and the video as soon as they are available.

President-Elect Obama Names Two New White House Staff Members

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama today announced two new members of the White House staff. Jonathan Favreau will serve as Director of Speechwriting, and Cecilia Muñoz will serve as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

“We’re continuing to build a White House team that can rise to the challenges facing this country – and I couldn’t be more excited to announce Jon and Cecilia. I’m confident that at a critical time in our history, this White House will restore openness and accountability to our Executive Branch and help to put government back in the hands of the people it serves.”

Jonathan Favreau, Director of Speechwriting
Jon Favreau served as Director of Speechwriting during the 2008 presidential campaign. He has worked for President-elect Obama since February 2005, when he joined Obama’s United States Senate office as Speechwriter. Previously, Favreau served as Deputy Director of Speechwriting on John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign. A resident of North Reading, Massachusetts, Favreau received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the College of the Holy Cross in 2003.

Cecilia Muñoz, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
Cecilia Muñoz currently serves as Senior Vice President for the Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), where she supervises all legislative and advocacy activities conducted by NCLR policy staff. Muñoz is the Chair of the Board of Center for Community Change, and serves on the U.S. Programs Board of the Open Society Institute and the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Philanthropies. She is the daughter of immigrants from Bolivia and was born in Detroit, Michigan. In June 2000, she was awarded a MacArthur Foundation fellowship in recognition of her work on immigration and civil rights.

In case you're wondering... no it's not that Jon Favreau.