(Adds Obama comments on nominees, USTR statement, background) By Tom Barkley Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama rounded out his cabinet picks Friday with a bipartisan flair, nominating Rep. Hilda Solis, D-Calif., for labor secretary and Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill., to head the Transportation Department.
Ron Kirk, former mayor of Dallas, was nominated for the cabinet-level post of U.S. trade representative, while Karen Mills, a venture capitalist, was picked to head the Small Business Administration.
"Together, with the appointees I've already announced, these leaders will help craft a 21st century economic recovery plan, with the goal of creating 2.5 million new jobs and strengthening our economy for the future," Obama said at a press conference in Chicago.
Obama also reiterated his support for the Bush administration's $17.4 billion rescue plan for General Motors Corp. (GM) and Chrysler LLC.
He repeated that the companies "must not squander" the opportunity to undertake the long-term restructuring that will be necessary to save the industry and green jobs.
Asked whether he would seek to change some of the provisions of the package, given complaints by the United Auto Workers union that some conditions were unfair, Obama said he and his economic team haven't seen all of the details of the deal yet.
"I wouldn't want to comment about what changes I would want to make before I've even seen what's already on the table," he said.
Obama warned that the painful restructuring process should involve all of the players, not just the workers.
"I just want to make sure that when we see a final restructuring package, that it's not just workers that are bearing the brunt of that restructure," he said.
Obama was also asked about growing concerns about the size of his planned stimulus package, given some estimates that the spending could approach $1 trillion.
He declined to provide an estimate, saying that the details are still being worked out. But he said it will require "a significant amount of money on the front end" to get the economy back on track in the next couple of years.
After that, tough choices will have to be made about bringing the budget deficit back under control, Obama said.
But by then he hopes to have "laid the groundwork for long-term economic growth" by overhauling the country's energy, health care and education policies, said Obama.
If confirmed by the Senate, LaHood would join Defense Secretary holdover Robert Gates as the only Republicans on the cabinet, while Solis would become the third Hispanic following the nominations of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson for commerce secretary and Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., to run the Department of Interior.
Friday's appointments drew heavy interest from labor unions, which campaigned hard for Obama's election after facing what they considered a hostile environment under the current administration.
Labor's reaction has been mixed, however, with union leaders welcoming the nominations of Solis and LaHood while staying quiet on the choice of Kirk to direct U.S. trade policy.
Business groups, meanwhile, had a more positive reaction to Kirk, who promoted Dallas as a trade hub while serving as the city's first African-American mayor from 1995 to 2001, than to Solis, who has been a champion of workers' and immigrants' rights during her eight years in the House.
Obama said Solis will ensure that the Labor Department leadership "will once again stand up for working families."
He said Kirk understands that promoting free trade and workers' interests aren't inconsistent.
"As a leader, negotiator and principled proponent of trade, Ron will help make sure that any agreements I sign as president protect the rights of all workers, promote the interests of all Americans and preserve the planet we all share," said Obama.
In a statement, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab called Kirk an "excellent choice" who understands the importance of trade.
-By Tom Barkley, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9275; tom.barkley@dowjones.com
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Publié le 19 Décembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones