Manny Cabinet Watch Day 3: A New Department?

Manny-appointment Mania just keeps going. On Monday, we discussed Mayor Diaz's chances at HUD. Yesterday, we weren't too keen on the idea of Manny as Homeland Security Chief. Today, The Herald steps in and throws out the idea he might be a perfect fit to head a new department Obama...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

November 12, 2008

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Manny-appointment Mania just keeps going. On Monday, we discussed Mayor Diaz's chances at HUD. Yesterday, we weren't too keen on the idea of Manny as Homeland Security Chief. Today, The Herald steps in and throws out the idea he might be a perfect fit to head a new department Obama seeks to create called the White House Office of Urban Policy.

The new department would gather together different programs and agencies that directly effect city life and as Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett says, "have a comprehensive approach to our urban development."

Seems like something Diaz would be a good fit for, and certainly a position meant for a former mayor. President-elect Obama first discussed the issue in Miami during the US Conference of Mayors meeting. Diaz is currently president of the US Conference of Mayors. Though just because I like getting ahead of myself, one likely challenger for the spot may be LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who attended Obama's recent economic meeting.

--Kyle Munzenrieder

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