Obama's Team: The Face Of Diversity

[Beacool]

When Bush holdovers are excluded, white men make up just under half of the people filling senior posts in Obama's administration.

by James A. Barnes
Saturday, June 20, 2009

A mere glance around Barack Obama's Cabinet table provides ample evidence of the president's philosophy that diversity is an important element of good government. Fewer than half of the 22 officials designated by Obama as having Cabinet rank are white men -- only nine in fact.

Likewise, fewer than half of the key personnel in the Obama White House are white males. (Cynics will correctly note that the most powerful West Wing aides are still mostly white men.) A National Journal survey of 366 of the president's Decision Makers -- people appointed or nominated to senior positions throughout the executive branch -- found that white men hold 52 percent of the jobs. But when 49 holdovers from the Bush era are excluded, white guys make up just under half -- 49 percent -- of the Obama team.

The new look of government is, in part, a generational story. From college campuses to corporate boardrooms to campaigns, society is increasingly tapping the professional talents of women and racial minorities. But the new look also embodies the commitment of the first nonwhite male to hold the nation's highest elective office.

"It reflects both the changing face of the nation and the overall changes in politics, as well as this president's very strong belief that different backgrounds do make for stronger decision-making," said White House Communications Director Anita Dunn, who was a key adviser to Obama's presidential campaign. Princeton University presidential scholar Fred Greenstein said that the Obama administration's diversity "suggests a true changing of the guard."

The impact of Obama's staffing of the government is likely to extend beyond the next four years of this administration. Should Obama seek and win another term, the number of women and minorities poised to assume even more senior positions will only grow.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/nj_20090620_3869.php

[cherokeeprogressive]

1. Exclude gender and you still have 75% white.

Some diversity.

[madeline_con]

2. Isn't that representative of the U.S. population? n/t

[UrbScotty]

5. Yes, give or take

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_and_ethnic_demographics_of_the_United_States

[cherokeeprogressive]

9. According to the OP and the story that she referenced, the difference is 9%

That qualifies as "give or take"? So now the margin of error has increased from 2 to 3 or even 4% to nearly ten? If that's not playing fast and loose with numbers, I don't know what is.

How many "Native Americans", Indigenous People", or downright "North American Indians" does that number include?

Diversity my ass.

[UrbScotty]

12. It looks like the OP is wrong.

White Americans make up 74% of the total population per the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). Black Americans compose 13.5% of the population. Asian Americans are concentrated in the Western states; 47% of them reside there, mostly in California and Hawaii. Half of the American Indian population resides in the West; there were 4.1 million in 2000, including those of partial ancestry, their highest population ever since the U.S. was founded in 1776. The Inuit population is mainly found in Alaska, and more than three quarters of the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population is found in the West, mostly in Hawaii and California. The population of those described as "two or more races" resides mostly in the West and South, where a combined 69% of all multiracial Americans reside. Americans of "Some other race" — a catchall, non-standard category almost all of whose members are reclassified as white in official documents — are nearly all Hispanic or Latino in ancestral or national origin, and 44% lived in the West in 2006.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_and_ethnic_demographics_of_the_United_States

[Zynx]

20. When you have a small number of people like a cabinet, MoE gets very large.

You really are being petty.

[avaistheone1]

19. Then it is representative.

[babylonsister]

3. Rec'd. There are 'some' people who will now complain about

diversity, and the percentages. But this is a good thing.

[Beacool]

4. Well, it's a step forward.

;)

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. People like me.

Who wonder why, in the modern age of "progressivism", the people who lived here first and had their land taken by force by white europeans, aren't represented in more appointed positions.

My Great-Grandfather Toolie Catron, and his son, my Grandfather Johnie, were born on the res in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. A reservation I might add, that isn't nearly half as big as it was when my ancestors were first forced to march to it.

Diversity my ass.

Pat yourself on the back on this good thing. Don't break your arm doing it though.

[babylonsister]

16. Yes, and that's all Obama's fault. You're right, I'm chastened. He

should be, too.

[Touchdown]

6. What's more important is the DLCers vs. real Democrats ratio.

That's what I find important.

[babylonsister]

7. And really, who knows who's doing what when? Who's labeling?

I also understand the importance.

[FrenchieCat]

8. I'm sure some will find it in their hearts to criticize this too.....

cause it's so easy to do.

[BlooInBloo]

11. I knew it. He's out to enslave me.

[Lord Helmet]

13. the op's getting all racial up in here again

[Beacool]

15. What the heck are you talking about?

This is a positive thread. Don't start crap.

;(

[hughee99]

14. If he appointed the best people he could get

I'm all in favor, whether they are all white men or none of them are.

[Veruca Salt]

17. +1

[shellgame26]

18. you mean like the previous administration?

Brownie, you're doing a heckuva job!

[hughee99]

21. Exactly...

If Bush had appointed the best person available, I would have been okay with the appointment (although not the policies they were given to implement or enforce). Do you believe that Brownie was the best person for the job? If you do, you'd be the first DUer ever to say so.