Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary?

***Update 12/1, 11 AM***

At a news conference today, Obama introduced his picks of retired Marine Gen. James Jones as White House national security adviser, former Justice Department official Eric Holder as attorney general, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as secretary of homeland security, Susan Rice as UN Ambassador, Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State and Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense

Read more here.

***

CNN is reporting Wednesday night that Obama has chosen Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano to become secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

President-elect Barack Obama's top choice for secretary of homeland security is Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, multiple Democratic sources close to the transition told CNN on condition of anonymity.

One source said he believed the final decision depends on the vetting of the Democratic governor, much like the selection of Eric Holder for attorney general.

Politico has more details on the Napolitano pick:

Napolitano (na-pawl-i-TAW-noh) brings law-and-order experience from her stint as the Grand Canyon State's first female attorney general. One of the nation's most prominent female elected officials, she made frequent appearances on behalf of Barack Obama during the campaign. She was re-elected to a second four-year term in 2006.

Transition insiders have long expected she would be offered a Cabinet slot, although she had also been mentioned for other posts, including attorney general.

Read more about the speculation that Janet Napolitano would be Attorney General.
Read the Obama's Cabinet BigNews Page.

Comments

[mcantwell]

I don't know much about this lady, but I have confidence that PE Obama will Vet her thoroughly and make the right choice for this very important position.

[sunny555]

Good morning....is this woman truly a good choice? I live in Manhattan, so homeland security is an enormous issue for me. Thanks

[whitenoise007]

and it's not for anyone else in the nebula that revolves around new york?

[parkjung]

Remember 9/11 and the WTC? A lot of people lost family and friends there.

[liberalnfree]

Palin-like regional resentments on display. Why jump on someone because they are concerned their home will be attacked, as it was in the past?

[spartanmom]

Hi from the exurbs, we lost a lot up here too but I think "Homeland Security" should be a law enforcement agency if it is going to exist at all (which I don't think it does). An incredibly talented lawyer with administrative and border control experience seem like just the ticket to me.

[GravitonX]

Napolitano is a great choice. Enforce the law with regard to immigration but not in a cruel manner (i.e. like denying babies medical care like the racist minutemen would have it).

I don't expect to like every pick Obama makes, though that ok, since I'm not the President. Though, I do like this one.

[onenvrnos]

Cruelty is not good, this is true. But, personally--living in a border state--there are some serious infractions that the taxpayer foots each and every time--education, child birth, crime, etc. The immigrants do not pay for these services, and something should be worked out between governments so that the burden of the cost is not always on the shoulders of the U.S. taxpayer...just a footnote.

[canarypapers]

Except for the HRC debacle, things are shaping up very nicely. I, too, wonder where Bill Richardson fits into all of this. And Jack Reed.

[Dap]

Thumbs up... Excellent leadership choice for Homeland security.

[Beantownbadboy]

A tough, literally take no prisoners, babe. Thank you.BO.

[Dwjackson]

The day I no longer have to see Michael Chertoff, "El Skelator", will be a good day indeed.

[xsonogall]

I am a fan of Napolitano's, but as someone who would be the only Arizona Democrat who would have a chance at unseating John McCain in 2010... I think she'd do a great job as DHS Secretary, but AZ will now have a Republican Governor in Jan Brewer and a Republican congress.... Frightening for the state.

[MargaretO]

I'm with you.

[PrincessAnnie]

I agree. She has a real shot of defeating McCain for Senate in 2010. It's only for that reason that I wish he'd bypass her and keep her where she is.

[grayforester]

I'm guessing team Obama has crunched the numbers on her chances of unseating JMcC and weigh the result against her value in the cabinet. They seems to be good at thinking through all the angles. I'm liking this pick best of all to date.

[Vinca]

I do hope Janet Neopolitano, WILL BE FOR SECURING OUR BORDERS< IT IS IMPORTANT

[GravitonX]

She favors governing immigration by intelligent engagement with the source countries rather than building some medieval castle wall around the country.

[sonnyshook]

Please Obama. You got to give Richardson something. I love Ole Bill. His endorsement was electric - a tad more powerful than Powell's.

[cyndeewi]

Obama has to give Richardson something. He is one of my favorites. Remember Obama, Bill saved your butt when everything seemed lost after that Wright scandal.

[grayforester]

New Mexico seems to have benefited greatly from Richardson's leadership there. I just spent a couple days in the state last month, and its infrastructure has really come a long way since he took office.

[SheriChardonnay]

I agree with that! F HRC! SHe is playing games!

[roshni]

Awesome choice. She is really competent and will do a great job.

[LollieDotCom]

The most beautiful word in the english language for me this year is "competent." It is a glorious change to hear it used repeatedly with each new appointment. It is exactly the change I have been waiting, hoping, and praying for.

Thank you, President-elect Obama.

[leetz]

Right on. I hear people whining about him picking insiders and Clinton-ites and what not, but did people really want him to not pick qualified individuals? I'd rather he pick people who know how to get things done and actually do that. That's the change that matters, and that is what his picks so far all have in common -- they know how to get things done.

[Dwjackson]

Rice will be NSA....RIchardson U.N. Ambassador. Think of the possibilities of having a natural negotiator/mediator as Richardson in such a slot. It's really coming together nicely folks....all but that pesky HRC as Sec of State

[Dap]

Sebator Hillary (R) Clinton is more than qualified to be Secretary of State. If one ponders it, HRC is and excellent choice. (although, personally Gov. Bill Richardson would have been my first choice.)

[alifilee]

I couldn't agree with you more. I have my fingers crossed for both Rice and Richardson.
Gotta get rid of HRC, do you think she will turn it down?

[Dwjackson]

You know, putting it in phonetics like so, (na-pawl-i-TAW-noh), makes it tougher to figure out. Only those constiuent supporters of Saxby Chambliss, most of Louisiana, and all of Alaska would have difficulty pronouncing: "Napolitano"

[spartanmom]

That struck me as a bit odd also.

[Roy49]

Where is Kathleen Sebelius?

[alifilee]

I hope she is not passed by. I am very much impressed with Kathleen Sebelius.

[pup sydney]

Being from AZ I can say she is great in that position or any other for that matter. Pragmatic smart no bull, Americans will be happy with her. Congratulations Janet!