I've sort of been following the news coverage of Obama's selection of cabinet and staff, and I'm feeling a bit uneasy. Is it just me, or does it seem like women are really underrepresented here? I think I've heard the names of two women so far, in spite of the fact that there are a number of women who would be qualified for cabinet positions that women have never held. I've also heard the argument that Obama doesn't have to concern himself with the diversity of his staff and cabinet since his presidency is already so historic, but this sounds like BS to me. Has anybody heard of other women who might be under consideration? And what do you think about this argument that he doesn't have to worry about diversity?
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This is a hot topic in Michigan: our governor, Jennifer Granholm, was on his panel dealing with economic issues and now there's speculation that he'll appoint her to the head of the Department of Energy. Some are also wondering if maybe he would propose her as a Supreme Court justice or for the Court of Appeals. I've also heard rumors about Janet Napolitano, Arizona's governor.
Obviously, 2 women does not diversity make, but it's a start.
Jennifer Granholm is, unless her stock has risen lately, pretty unpopular because of Michigan's economy during her tenure.
Janet Napolitano is widely thought to be preparing for a run for John McCain's senate seat in two years.
After poking around it does look like Granholm's national image has improved since her reelection in 2006.
I heard Granholm speak and really liked her. Was she the one who helped Biden prep for the debate?
To be fair to him, women are underrepresented in higher politics as a whole. If he genuinely chooses his cabinet based on their ability, he may simply not have as many qualified female candidates to chose from.
I don't really expect him to have a 50/50 cabinet because politics are currently not 50/50. My major hope is that he will at least have his labor secretary, health and human services secretary, and housing secretary either be female or strongly support and understand the concerns of women, because those are areas that often affect women a great deal, at times more than men.
I would rather Obama have a capable cabinet than a "diverse" cabinet. If he happens to choose an all-white, all-male cabinet that most people feel are good choices for the country based on experience, character, and politics, I'm not going to run around accusing him of being racist or sexist. Like Brianna G said, women are underrepresented in national politics. The numbers increased in this last election but most of them aren't even in office yet. I think it would be irrational on our part as feminists to get upset that he isn't considering as many women as he is men if those men are truly more qualified for the job. It shouldn't be about sex at this point, but about vision and leadership abilities.
The whole "capable vs diverse" thing is an age-old false dilemma based on the assumption that women and minorities cannot be as qualified as white males. If you accept the fact that a woman could be as qualified as a man, then it's not an either/or thing. Nobody's suggesting that he choose women with no experience, but many assume that there are no women with adequate experience.
I wouldn't do that far. It's up to Mr. Obama to pick his cabinet members based on their skill, capability, and his ability to work with them efficiently.
Of course, I'm not suggesting that he shouldn't. But along with those criteria, he should attempt to be as inclusive as possible, especially since so many women voted for him.
They're saying Hillary Clinton is being considered for Secretary of State!! Nothing would make me happier :)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/13/hillary-clinton-secretary_n_143735.html
That's an interesting idea. I personally doubt Hillary would leave her 100% safe senate seat to take any job as anyone's subordinate. Andrew Sullivan, who hates her, seems to think Obama should appoint her to the Supreme Court but at 60 or so she's much too old for that.
Yes! The scarcity of women under consideration for top posts in his administration has bothered me. And no one is talking about it.
While women constitute only a sixth of national leadership, I refuse to believe that the real problem is a lack of qualified women. I have heard of only four women under consideration compared to about 25-30 men. Do we honestly believed that there are only four qualified women on Capitol Hill or in some branch on national leadership? What about the 28 female governors? (Yes, Palin, I left you out and you really ought to stay out of national politics). Or the 53 Democratic women serving in Congress? Are they not qualified? But someone like Caroline Kennedy is qualified to be the UN representative?
Hannah and Brianna, I don't believe I suggested that the cabinet should be 50/50, but having a token one or two women would be insulting after so many women voted for him. I'm not saying that's what he's going to end up with, but until the Hillary suggestion, that's all we had heard. Also, Obama has stated his committment to changing the way we do things in Washington, and it seems prety hard to do that with a bunch of white men in power.
And I agree that women are underrepresented in all areas of gov't, but that doesn't mean there are no viable female candidates. The whole "there are no qualified female candidates" line is an old tool of the patriarchy and should be recognized as such. In a world where being a white male is one of the major qualifications in most people's minds, this kind of shit has to be rejected, and a good response will include a list of female candidates who are qualified. A few possibilities that I've heard mentioned are listed below:
Blanche Lambert Lincoln for Sec of Agriculture
Carol Browner on Energy
Diane Feinstein as Sec of Defense
Jacquie Speier for Sec of Education or of Veteran’s Affairs
Laura D'Anrea Tyson on Commerce
Elizabeth Dole as Sec of Veteran’s Affairs
Jan Schakowsky
Valerie Plame for National Security Advisor or CIA Director
Kathleen Sebelius for Energy or HHS
Valerie Barrett
Sheila Bair for Treasury
Katie McGinty for EPA
Susan Rice
And I'm sure there are others. It doesn't seem to me like there's a shortage of qualified women if you do some research.
On the plus side, Valerie Jarrett was just named as Senior White House Advisor.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/14/obama-names-valerie-jarre_n_143992.html