After Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., turned down an offer to become the new U.S. trade representative this week, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk has moved to the top of the rumored short list for the job. But CongressDaily's Peter Cohn reports today that labor groups may be unreceptive to this choice.
"We don't see a whole lot of evidence that Ron Kirk is interested in going in a new, substantive direction on trade," said one labor official, pointing to favorable statements the prospective nominee has made about the North American Free Trade Agreement.
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Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., on Tuesday night confirmed his intention to remain in Congress rather than serve as President-elect Obama's U.S. trade representative.
In a statement, the eight-term lawmaker said that while he was honored to be considered by Obama, he would prefer to continue serving his Los Angeles-area district. "I am grateful for that privilege and now see a rare opportunity to push across the goal line much of the unfinished business of America," said Becerra, who will serve as vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus and as a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee in the 111th Congress.
Becerra said while working with Obama would be "the opportunity of a lifetime," he will nonetheless get that opportunity, just at the other end of Pennsylvania Ave. Becerra's decision ends a budding race to replace him as Caucus vice chairman, with a field that included Reps. Kendrick Meek of Florida, Joseph Crowley of New York, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio and Joe Baca of California and possibly others.
By PETER COHN, CongressDaily
(Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., is in discussions with President-elect Obama's transition team about taking the job of United States trade representative in the new administration, sources said Tuesday.
Becerra, who won election as House Democratic Caucus vice chairman just last month, has not accepted the offer to head the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and is still considering it, sources said. A Becerra spokeswoman would not comment on a possible offer from Obama, saying only that Becerra is looking forward to his duties as vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus in the 111th Congress.
Becerra is seen as a middle-of-the-road pick on trade policy, someone who could appeal to both business and labor groups, sources said. He voted against the Central America Free Trade Agreement in 2005 -- but helped lead the effort on behalf of Democratic leadership in support of the Peru Free Trade Agreement last year.
"It's a sign that adults are back in charge," said one labor source.
Becerra -- who was given the title of "assistant to the speaker" when the Democrats took control of the House two years ago and Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California assumed the speakership -- has been a member of the House since 1992, representing a district on the south side of Los Angeles. He ran for mayor of Los Angeles in 2001, finishing a distant fifth.
If he joins the Obama administration, he would become one of its most high-profile Hispanic members -- joining New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who is poised to be named Commerce secretary.
Additional reporting by Christian Bourge.
Becerra's profile in the Almanac of American Politics is available to subscribers here.
