[xzins]

It's the China connection: "Elaine Chao was born in Taipei, Taiwan. The eldest of six daughters, Chao was born to Ruth Mulan Chu Chao (趙朱木蘭 Zhào Zhū Mùlán), a historian, and Dr. James S.C. Chao (趙錫成 Zhào Xīchéng), who began his career as a merchant mariner and later founded a successful shipping company in New York called Foremost Shipping.[5] Chao's parents had fled to Taiwan from Shanghai, mainland China, after the Chinese Communists took over after the Chinese Civil War in 1949. When she was 8 years old, in 1961, Chao came to the United States on a freight ship with her mother and two younger sisters. Her father had arrived in New York three years earlier after receiving a scholarship.[6]" (Wikipedia)

[RummyChick]

Wasn’t there some kind of scandal over her shipping company?

[9YearLurker]

Taiwan is sort of an anti-Mainland China connection.

[Huaynero]

“It’s the China connection: “Elaine Chao was born in Taipei, Taiwan….”

To be sure it’s that pesky China connection. Chao’e parents may have gone to Taiwan after the revolution but what ties remained? I recall reading that Chao’s parents (father?) stayed in touch with a family friend. That friend eventually attained some level of senior leadership in the Red Chinese government. Sometime in the past 5-6 years, family ties were publicized during a visit by a senior Chinese official if not head-of-state.

Appearance of conflict being one thing, it’s bad enough she’s married to McConnell. I wouldn’t push the envelope further by appointing her to a Cabinet position. DOT may be some relative backwater but she’ll be docking at Cabinet where all level of cargo is off-on loaded.