The Trump Latino cabinet watch is ongoing
By Victor Landa, NewsTaco
So far, still nothing.
There have been sightings, though. Politico reports that “On Monday, Trump met with Luis Quinones, a member of his Hispanic Advisory Council and Jovita Carranza, a former deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration.”
[pullquote]Trump’s selections for cabinet positions are his first and most important policy decisions.[/pullquote]It’s not like Trump hasn’t been told of the importance of a diverse cabinet. Newt Gingrich says he’s been counseling the president-elect on the need of a Latino in his top 13 appointments. And there’s only 3 left to fill: secretary of veterans affairs, agriculture secretary, and the U.S. trade representative. The rumor is that Carranza is up for the Trade Representative post.
But some Latino GOPers say it’s not important.
Remember Alberto Gonzalez, George W.’s Attorney General? This is what he had to say in the Politico piece:
“The Hispanic community is going to care more about the policies than the makeup. The actual policy decisions will have the greatest impact on the lives of Americans.”
I don’t agree.
I think the president’s selections for cabinet positions are his first and most important policy decisions.
And it’s a matter of contacts and familiarity. Some of Trump’s pick for cabinet posts have been people he didn’t know, but were introduced to him by people he did know. So the problem is deep – not only does Trump not know Latinos, the people Trump knows don’t know Latinos either.
Maybe if Newt prevails he’ll force Trump to see Latinos. I wouldn’t hold my breath, though.
[Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr]
