Posted on 01/10/2012 12:41:21 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Obama picks immigration reform advocate to lead domestic policy By Amie Parnes and Erik Wasson - 01/10/12 01:27 PM ET
President Obama has picked a strong advocate of immigration reform to head the Domestic Policy Council.
The White House announced Tuesday that Cecilia Muñoz, a former senior vice president of the National Council of La Raza, would replace Melody Barnes at the top of the council. White House press secretary Jay Carney announced the appointment during his press briefing.
Muñoz is now serving as the White House's director of intergovernmental affairs and is in charge of outreach to state and local governments.
"The president has asked, she has accepted," Carney said.
Muñoz is an immigration expert who worked for the National Council of La Raza, the largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, until she joined the administration in 2009. The group works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans and advocates legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
Carney called Muñoz "the best person for the job."
In her new role, Muñoz will become the president’s senior adviser on domestic affairs that fall outside the strict purview of the National Economic Council, which is headed by Gene Sperling.
“Over the past three years, Cecilia has been a trusted advisor who has demonstrated sound judgment day in and day out,” President Obama said. “Cecilia has done an extraordinary job working on behalf of middle class families, and I’m confident she’ll bring the same unwavering dedication to her new position.”
A senior administration official credited Munoz's work on immigration and disaster relief and said she has successfully brought the voices of local and state officials into the White House through her work at IGA.
"She's the perfect fit for this job," the official told The Hill. "This is someone who is very much ready for the position."
On immigration, she has been the president's "key person" on the issue "working to fix the system that's broken" the official said, adding that she brings 20 years of immigration policy with her to the post.
While her new post will continue to give Hispanics a "strong voice," administration officials said she wasn't given the position to pander to that community. "She's immensely qualified for this position. She's someone who is very much respected by her colleagues."
At the same time, "she's not afraid to make her viewpoints known," the official said.
Barnes left her position at the end of last month and is looking for work in the private sector. On Monday the White House announced that Chief of Staff Bill Daley will soon step down and be replaced by Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew.
Carney said there is no word yet on who will replace Lew as Budget director. In the briefing he offered praise for congressional liaison Rob Nabors, a man insiders think has the best shot at the job.
Sickening.
a nation lost
reconquista?
mission damn near accomplished.
The end.
We will witness it.
“reconquista?”
Can you say “Atzlan”?
I knew you could!
if we get a new GOP prez, I hope he has a long list of Obama appointees that will need firing.
Mittens already has claimed he’s up for the task...I doubt it.
Rather than get banned, I’m just going to stop writing.
I'll bet. Think she could pass the civics test?
immigration reform advocate = amnesty and open border supporter
All political appointees must submit their resignations if Obama loses. They don’t have a choice.
The new President will not need a list of Obama appointees that need firing.
Just fire them all. Obama hasn’t made a pick yet that is for Americans, all of his picks are anti-American.
Just fire them all and then go down to State and clean out Foggy Bottom.
“”On immigration, she has been the president’s “key person” on the issue “working to fix the system that’s broken”””
WOW! That’s some kind of broad. She’s so good, she’ll be able to fix something that the entire vast federal government hasn’t been able to fix. Promote her by all means.
Has all the right credentials - born in MI, went to U of Michigan AND got her Master Degree at - wait for it - Berkeley!! I forgot what her Masters was in by the time I got back here.
ping
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