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Loading ...Bid for gay commerce secretary ignored
02.25.2009 2:27pm EST
(Washington) President Barack Obama on Wednesday named former Washington governor Gary Locke to head the Commerce Department, ignoring a grassroots effort by an LGBT group to have an openly gay man nominated for the job.
Equal Rep had been pressing to have Fred Hochberg appointed as Commerce Secretary.After Obama’s first choice, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, withdrew Equal Rep began lobbying for Hochberg. Instead, Obama nominated him to become Chair of the Export-Import Bank.
When Obama’s second choice, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) dropped out less than a week after being selected, the group renewed its call for Hochberg to be appointed to Commerce, urging its members to write, call and e-mail the White House.
From 1998 through 2000, Hochberg served as deputy, then acting administrator, of the Small Business Administration, an agency elevated to cabinet rank by President Bill Clinton, with more than 4,000 employees and 100 offices across the country.
At the SBA, he directed the delivery of a comprehensive set of financial and business development programs for entrepreneurs, with particular outreach to women and minorities. He also served on President Clinton’s Management Council.
From 1994 to 1998, Hochberg worked as founder and president of Heyday Company, a private investment firm managing real estate, stock market investments, and venture capital projects. Prior to that, he was president and chief operating officer of the Lillian Vernon Corporation, where he led the transformation of a small family mail order company into a publicly traded direct marketing corporation, one of the great success stories of American entrepreneurship.
Hochberg still is awaiting confirmation to the Export-Import Bank.
The Export-Import Bank of the United States, known as Ex-Im Bank, is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank’s mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets.
Ex-Im Bank enables U.S. companies — large and small — to turn export opportunities into real sales that help to maintain and create U.S. jobs and contribute to a stronger national economy.
In announcing Locke’s nomination for Commerce Secretary Obama praised him as a man who shares his vision for turning around the economy, and someone who knows the American dream.
A Democrat, Locke was the nation’s first Chinese-American governor, serving two terms from 1997 to 2005.
If confirmed by the Senate, he would assume control of a large agency with a broad portfolio that includes overseeing the 2010 census, oceans policy and many aspects of international trade.
Bud, since President Obama has nominated and hired gay people in other posts, what exactly is your point?
Very disappointing President Obama.
There has never been an openly gay cabinet member in over 200 years and it’s not because members from our community aren’t as qualified. It’s called HOMOPHOBIA.
Simply put, Obama was the far better choice than the Republican choice (which was pathetic and isn’t likley to get any better since they seem hell bent on continuing their same destructive approach to everything). So, no, I do not regret supporting Obama – he was the better choice. However, this does not mean that I overlook his consistent gestures in regard to the GLBT community… the “Reverend” McClurkin crap, the jackass preathcher he had to give his invocation (while Rev. Robinson’s was mysteriously not aired)… then not one single GLBT person who is qualified for any cabinet position? Please.
Not nominating a gay person for Commerce Secretary makes Obama a homophobe. That doesn’t even make sense. The article is incredibly biased, not that that’s a surprise. There’s no logic in saying that because a President who has nominated and hired other gay people for various positions, didn’t nominate a gay person for this position, then he must be homophobic. I’d rather he nominate the best person for the job. I seriously doubt a person’s sexuaity would have too much impact on their ability to be commerce secretary.
Don’t be naive Obama-zombies, Barrack is handing out racial “tokens” right and left like they were candy. He even used his office to put a token Republican in who voted against him on his Stimulus Package (sounds dirty doesn‘t it), who then turned down the offer of Commerce Secretary after accepting it.
I’m sure anyone can say that there are more qualified people (straight or gay) for any of the positions Obama could fill. All of these choices are very subjective anyway when it comes to political appointments. Otherwise, why did he need a Black Attorney General, aren’t there more qualified Whites or Gays or Women out there for the same position?
Why? Maybe, just maybe, so his most rabid supporters can say: “Oh, look how Obama broke down the color barriers; now have our first Black Attorney General too.”
So much for objectivity.
In that vein then, why not our “first Gay Secretary of _______ (fill in the blank)? How about some equally qualified member of the GLBT community as well to add to the Obama’s cloak of many “politically correct” colors? Or is social/political progress forever just going to be gauged on milestones such as who is going to be picked to be our First Black…our First Chinese American …our First Woman this or that…our First Hispanic…our First “Anything but Gay”? Sort of like being in gym class all over again and knowing that you are going to be picked last isn‘t it? And only then because they ran out of alternatives. Expect the same from this Administration. And probably not even that much.
For purely political reasons, so WHY NOT pick an eminently qualified GLBT cabinet official? Could it be, just maybe, because the Prez doesn’t want to give Republicans the mud to throw in his face by their holding up any of his nominations. Obama has a yellow streak a mile wide when it come to us. Don’t expect him to fight for us. EVER! Clinton didn’t, why should he?
Next time, think really hard about making them actually earn your vote. Don’t give it away like some slut who can’t keep their legs closed and then confuses being used with being loved. Work for a third national party in 2010 for Congress. Just ten percent of the seats and they could control the agenda. Throw all the bastards out — including Obama in 2012.
~ Bud Evans
http://rainfish2000.blogspot.com
@ Rand:
With all due respect, I absolutely agree with the tenor of this article. I consider Obama a homophobe, so I’m not at all surprised by the choices he’s made in regards to our community. I will continue to consider him a homophobe until he proves otherwise, but his actions to date warrant the name, imho.
Mark my words Obama will be out in 4 years. Good riddance. At least with Bush we knew where we stood. With Obama, most of you are dreaming, he does not see you as an equal.
DeaninMI,
Just a thought: Because we are not part of the vetting process, there is no way for us to understand what constitutes as “qualified” for the position. Experience alone is not enough. Personality attributes, trade relationships, personal contacts, etc., can all contribute to the decision. As someone who has hired many people, I can say that a wide range of factors – beyond a qualified resume – weigh in on a decision to hire (or appoint) someone. So, I personally don’t feel comfortable saying that we were “ignored”. As to your point of whether or not there is a GLBT candidate out there – somewhere – that is as qualified (on all levels) as Locke. Perhaps so. But that isn’t the tenor or point of the article. And the tenor of the article is what I (and probably some others as well) are responding to.
Really, Genia? Do you truly believe that there is not one gay person in America as qualified as Locke? Not one?!?
In a time of “firsts” (President, Sos, AG) I don’t think it’s too much to ask for a first for our community.
I fall into the camp of those who are not bothered whatsoever by Obama’s decision. As a gay Washingtonian (state), I have to say that Gary Locke will be outstanding in the position. He is more than qualified. Just because we ask Obama to consider a GLBT person for a cabinet position doesn’t mean he should toss aside all other equally (and possibly better) candidates.
If Obama so devestating “ignored” us and we should be outraged, than why did the writers of this article feel the need to tell us both who Hochberg is and what the Commerce Secretary does? What? Did they think that we wouldn’t already know the details of this gripping civil rights issue? By making Hochberg NOT getting the job “the story” and by deliberately choosing the undiplomatic “ignored,” they definitely seem to think that this is a big deal. Are they reporting news or telling us what we should think?
“Ignored”? Isn’t that bitchy! Every selection of a straight person is not a deliberate snub of gay people … unless you’re the Catholic Church, which is a whole other story…
Seriously?
Are you really bitching because Obama didn’t choose a gay man to be the new commerce secretary?
Seriously?
I was kinda hoping he’d choose the right person for the job – regardless of that person’s sexual orientation.
I find it quite interesting that we, the LGBTQ community, insist that we should be judged on our merit and character and that our sexual orientation should be irrelevant (UNLESS, it can get us ahead, right?).
So, if I understand this correctly: our sexual orientation should be a moot point if it will HURT us, but it should be a talking point if it will HELP us.
We’re starting to sound like whiney ass crybabies.
Obama ignoring the GLBT community when it comes to something truly important? I don’t believe it! Guess we are only good enough for token jobs so he can hope to count on our votes.
It is disingenuos to say that President Obama ignored the call to mach Hochberg commerce secretary. Just because he wasn’t picked doesn’t mean that the President didn’t consider him, or ignored the calls for his selection. And considering that Hochberg has been nominated for another post, it would seem that the President likes something about his qualifications and work.