Transition: Putting the 's' in Republicans

Obama has made good on his pledge to add an "S" to the phrase "Republicans in his cabinet," as he'll name retiring GOP Rep. Ray LaHood Transportation secretary This is a post that Bush used to make his Cabinet bipartisan as well. LaHood joins Robert Gates as the second known Republican in Obama's cabinet. The AP on the expected appointment of Republican Ray Lahood (IL) as Transportation Secretary: "He has been at the forefront of efforts to make the floor of the House less partisan. Respected for his ability to preside, he was in the chair during most of President Bill Clinton's impeachment a decade ago." Lahood also is one Republican who did not sign on to Newt Gingrich's Contract with America in the 1990s. Left to fill: Labor, "senior intelligence positions, or the Office of US Trade Representative. Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA) ... had been penciled in as trade representative, but he announced on Tuesday he intends to remain in the House." In subcabinet posts, "Knowledgeable ... (link)