Now Hiring: No Grudges in Barack Obama's HR Approach

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by Christine Bowman

President-elect Obama has filled some administration slots quickly, but many others remain up for grabs. Who else could he or should he hire?

The Chicago Tribune mentioned some cabinet-level openings at the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, and Veterans Affairs. (Presumably, Richardson will get the Commerce job on Wednesday.) Obama also still needs to find a U.S. trade representative, a director of national drug control policy, and an administrator for the EPA.

^{Barack Obama Wants You}

In response to Tuesday's foreign policy and national security announcements, international law professor Mary Ellen O'Connell suggested Obama could use some successful diplomats: James Baker, Jimmy Carter, John Danforth, Anthony Zinni. Now there's a list with someone for anyone to dispute, but her point is a valid one. Put the skilled negotiators to work.

A prevalent view is that Obama appointments so far have been made on the basis of experience, excellence, and intelligence. Yet many critics are saying -- with a straight face -- that that isn't real "change." Have so many forgotten so quickly that Bush and his recruiters heavily weighed neocon ideology as well as personal and party loyalty when making appointments? Remember the US Attorneys scandal? FEMA director Michael Brown? Gonzales as AG? Harriet Miers' nomination to the Supreme Court?

For Obama "change" evidently means no litmus tests. And no grudges. And the bar was set high already by his much lauded, top-flight campaign staff.

Still, Obama is recruiting, and not just for the top jobs. Maybe there's an Obama administration job you would like to snag? Here's where to apply: 

http://change.gov/page/s/application

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