63°Kasich names first all-white cabinet in 48 years
Jan 20
2011
(UPDATED AT 6:07 P.M.) For advocates of diversity in government, the "new day" that Ohio's new governor promised is looking more like a historical re-enactment.
The members appointed to Republican John Kasich's Cabinet so far are all white, a first for the state since Cleveland journalist and publisher William O. Walker was named the state's first black Cabinet member in 1963.
Kasich's Cabinet has five women so far. When former Gov. Ted Strickland left office, he had 12 females in his Cabinet — including one black woman and Ohio's first openly gay Cabinet official. Kasich defeated the Democratic Strickland in November's election.
Kasich says he's assembling a strong Cabinet without regard for race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Among his picks are a noted Silicon Valley venture capitalist who will lead Ohio's economic development efforts and the former Medicaid director under then-Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty.
"His over-arching motivation is getting the best people, the right person in the right job. Period," said spokesman Rob Nichols.
The governor's interim director of job and family services, Michael Colbert, is black. Because he's temporary, though, Colbert is not a permanent Cabinet member.
Kasich could yet make Colbert the social welfare agency's full-fledged director. He also has not yet named a lottery director or head of the Emergency Medicaid Management Administration, an agency Strickland created by executive order whose fate under Kasich is not known. Chancellor Eric Fingerhut, also a member of the Cabinet, was appointed to a five-year term in 2007, and Kasich also gets to appoint his successor.
The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, the Cleveland chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and some individual lawmakers have urged Kasich to broaden the diversity among the Cabinet, which provides key policy advice.
In a letter sent Tuesday, state Sen. Shirley Smith of Cleveland, a black Democrat, questioned how an apparent coast-to-coast search could have failed to turn up "a single qualified individual from any minority community."
She said Kasich's Cabinet should reflect Ohio's racial diversity. About 12 percent of Ohio residents are black and more than half are female, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau figures.
"I do not doubt that your appointees will be well qualified or that many of them have served the public with distinction in the past," wrote Smith, the longest continuously serving of Ohio's sitting black lawmakers with 12 years' service. "But it is difficult to believe that a Cabinet that does not reflect the composition of our state's population can adequately serve it."
Nichols said Kasich is scheduled to meet with Smith on Monday.
Denis Dison, vice president of the national Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which promotes diversity of sexual orientation in public office, said the issue is not tokenism.
"You often hear, 'I'm going to search for the most qualified candidates.' If your contention is that the best qualified people were all white and mostly male, then you haven't looked too hard," he said. "Picking the friends-of-friends, the contemporaries from schools, is dangerous because you create this sort of cadre of yes-men in an echo chamber, people who have only had one set of experiences."
Nichols strongly disagreed with Dison, noting that Kasich has made history with some of his choices, including women who are his chief of staff and running mate, as well as the appointment of the state's first female adjutant general to oversee the Ohio National Guard. The chairman of Kasich's inaugural is also gay.
"I reject the question," Nichols said. "We have a lot of women in the cabinet and the show over here, in terms of our chief of staff. No echo chamber here."
Print
Facebook
Twitter
Email.jpg)
Comments
Share your thoughts and opinions with your community. All comments on our site are governed by our Discussion Guidelines. You must have a valid account to post comments.
01:12 PM
getrealpeople says
WELL DONE AND HATS OFF TO YOU KASICH!
11:54 AM
kURT says
Liked what was posted earlier,
ust think if President Obam had an all BLACK staff.
That wooda been good!!
10:19 PM
FST says
I don`t really care if his cabinet is all white ,black,yellow,or brown, as long as they do their jobs with the interests of the Ohio taxpayers at heart.
07:12 PM
6079 Smith W says
@ Duhast:
The Lt. Gov. is a female – that ain’t good enough?
07:00 PM
wetsu says
Can anyone list names of minorities that would have been good candidates?
03:29 PM
Duhast says
02:02 PM
6079 Smith W says
@ Duhast:
How ya do'n?
Utopia: A place that does not exist - "nowhere."
Sec'y of Diversity? What kind of salary and benefits should go along with this new boondoggle bureaucratic position?
Reads more like Mr. Obama's speed. Diversity Czar?
01:55 PM
brutus smith says
Newsflash ezob, SS had nothing to do with creating the debt. SS is not tied to Federal income taxes. So no matter how you try to spin it SS is not in debt.
01:18 PM
Duhast says
01:13 PM
Duhast says
07:57 PM
EZOB says
Way to go John,
Thank you for hiring all the Minorities, educated white males. We are the Minority!
03:52 PM
EZOB says
I'm referring to that twerp Congress Person (Could pass for a man or woman) from the Great "Completely" broke state of New York that was interviewed. We can surely trust one from there.
03:48 PM
EZOB says
Yes,
Most of us know who you were listening to, Fox News again. You continually bash them but you continue to watch the program. I can write you a billion dollar check, is it worth a billion?? Hardly think so. Yep, we really don't have a deficit, it's only on paper. Please don't respond to my posts, your ignorance and lack of manners is beyond my tolerable limit.
01:29 PM
brutus smith says
So Social Security has a 4.3 trillion surplus and you could do a better job ezob? Really?
12:58 PM
kURT says
Erie mom you are 100% about SSI; great point !
Let's cut those at the top in Ohio also regarding their retiriment money.
09:06 PM
EZOB says
Erie Mom:
Everyone has a different opinion as to what should be done with "Their" money. I would never advise what I feel is best for anyone much less dictate what should be done. I will give an opinion, This is just "MY" opinion. Social Security belongs to the people who have been made to pay into it. If, ivested it should have been in low risk government bonds, very low risk anything, I'm "NOT" a financial expert but could do a better job than they have done. Most of all, it's our money and the vast majority don't approve that the Government has continually borrowed from "our" Funds. Many people don't approve that people who never paid Social Security are supported by our money. I respect anyones opinion, this is just my beliefs.
06:11 PM
Sam says
FST- I am confused "There are at least 25 states that are in very deep trouble. One of the biggest things that are breaking the states are the "state pension plans". As it stands now..state employees only pay about 1.5% towards their plans, where the taxpayers are paying about 24-25% towards their plans."
How was this about the senate or house?
12:07 PM
FST says
To wetsu...you understood correctly as that is what I was talking about. I guess I should have said Senate and House. My bad.
10:47 AM
eriemom says
EZOB: So, it is a better idea to put Social Security into the stock market?
02:14 AM
EZOB says
FST--------Perspective,
The number ONE reason that most states pension pans are broke, ready for this, Bad Investments. They invested in stocks, bonds, funds, etc. that pummeled when the economy went kaput and now the government (us taxpayers) are expected to bail them out. This is all well and good if anyone could do this. Think we'll get a check for our 401 losses???
02:06 AM
EZOB says
WOW,
I read all the posts, I think and not one time was this mentioned. How many Black Republicans do you suppose he had to choose from. Although, quite sure there are some, you'd have to agree a Black or Hispanic Republican is surely a minority. I'd be more upset to know that he done away with a good minority person. I do know that one Director he appointed kept two minorities on his staff. I wish he would house clean in the Lottery Department.
05:00 PM
wetsu says
If I understand FST's post correctly I thought he was referring to the federal government in the form of the Senate and House.
02:45 PM
Sam says
2011 Ohio Public Employees Retirement System the largest of the Ohio retirement systems contribution rates, Employers- 14%-17.8%, Employees 10%-11.6% of wages. The other Ohio retirement systems have similar rates. Post retirement medical costs is about a 60% state/40% retiree.
02:35 PM
perspective says
FST, I can understand your concern, however the information you provided is somewhat skewed and untrue. Municipal, State, and Federal employees don't have a full entitlement after 2-4 years. It's worked off a percentage per years of service. This is also a benefit that offsets the difference in pay between the private sector of business. Theres a big difference. I didn't understand it when I first started learning about it, and it takes some time to look over the information to understand how it works.
12:41 AM
FST says
There are at least 25 states that are in very deep trouble. One of the biggest things that are breaking the states are the "state pension plans". As it stands now..state employees only pay about 1.5% towards their plans, where the taxpayers are paying about 24-25% towards their plans. I think a good place to start is in fixing that problem. State and Federal employees make above average wages and get some pretty good benifits including retirement and most of it is being paid by the taxpayers. WHY??? And if the Federal government really wanted to cut costs and help the American people,they would cut some of their own entitlements that are way above what is fair. I don`t believe our founding fathers meant for somebody to serve 2-4 years and then have a lifetime of entitlements paid by the taxpayers. America could save billions by just cutting many entitlements given to state and federal employees that are way out of reach for the majoriety of Americans.
07:45 PM
Captain Gutz says
Give Takakutu Motors the same deal that Honda got when they built the plants in Marysville.
04:24 PM
kURT says
Pull M out Kasick.....go 4that Flat Tax.
Be a man.
(eliminate tax loopholes)
03:46 PM
Pete says
Maybe this would make for a better discussion starter:
Takakutu Motors (made up name) wants to build a new plant in America to produce cars.
What can Ohio change to convince them it would be better to locate in The Buckeye State than say in The Peach State?
They are bringing 3,500 direct jobs paying $14 an hour plus benefits.
Another 5,000 indirect jobs are coming with the factory. The pay for those varies form minimum wage to the same $14
Construction jobs would be on top of these, as those are temporary
How do we present a package to them to get them to comit to Ohio?
02:38 PM
Pete says
So if Ohio increases it's taxes on the wealthy, that will make companies want to move into this state?
I really don't think that is going to happen, but that is my opinion. Maybe you can convince me otherwise.
Please expand on your idea
02:36 PM
brutus smith says
The same way it was done before when our country was prosperous, taxation.
02:36 PM
goofus says
With the myriad of regulations in order to do business, adding10,000 dollars a year per employee, the only factor a business has to remain competitive is to reduce labor cost. You have to follow government regulations but by relocating, you can control labor costs.
02:02 PM
Pete says
So to make Ohio better we have to have a national prohibition against RTW? Is that even possible, under either party?
And if so, how long would it take to get that through? Would almost have to be an Amendment issue and I am unsure if the enough states would sign on
How do we stop the transfer of wealth?
01:58 PM
brutus smith says
It has to begin at a national level. States undercutting other states with taxpayer money incentives has to stop. This only puts us in a race to the bottom. RTW states are for cutting people's wages. We need to stop the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the top 2%. People with living wage jobs spend money, pay state and local taxes, thereby improving our state and local areas.
01:22 PM
Pete says
I would guess about as much as you Chung
How about making the State Right to Work as a start. Most of the transplant manufacturers seem to go to those kind of states. Very few are up North
What are your ideas?
And yes, yesterday my avatar was Maobama. And I still disagree with his politics. But this is about Ohio, not the USA. Hence why I changed it
12:53 PM
Return of Dragon II says
Have you ever contributed anything constructive
12:50 PM
Return of Dragon II says
Pete what are your ideas? You want fruitful discussion? Just yesterday your avatar was a communist Obama and a Maoist tag line.
12:45 PM
SamAdams says
Wait a minute. By the logic offered up here (that an administration that doesn't accurately represent the racial make-up of the state can't really represent the state), a black candidate can't possibly represent white constituents, and a woman can't possibly represent male citizens! Maybe we need to set up separate governments so that everybody gets represented by one of "their own," just to make things fair and all... You know, separate but equal. Yes???
On the other hand, maybe we could just demand that our representatives actually be qualified to do the job as our only requirement, and maybe we should just hope those who are elected hire the best people for the job rather than token anythings...
12:35 PM
Pete says
Can you not list your ideas on helping this State? Or do you wish to continue partisan blame and other hatred?
I would like to have an honest, sincere, and fruitfull dicusussion about bringing this state back to the prominence it once held in this country. If you are capable of adding to the discussion, please do so. If not, please leave your comments to yourself
Others commenters,
I would ike the same thing. In our new found age of civility, please refrain from making partisan or nasty comments
12:28 PM
brutus smith says
Moderators have removed this comment because it contained racist or discriminatory remarks. Discussion Guidelines03:49 PM
Sam says
brutus at it again using the Klan card. brutus the late Senator Byrd was a Grand Knight of the KKK and a leading left winger, the democrats fought the civil rights movement in the late 50's and early 60's.
11:47 AM
justus says
I saw it was by the AP dosnt mean the SR has to put in there paper correct ?
10:52 AM
6079 Smith W says
It isn’t about the color of the skin or the ethnicity; it’s about the ethics and values of the individual.
-----------------
@ eriemom:
Ya gotta be quicker. I change my sig about once a day.
10:30 AM
Ed Gembka says
The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, the Cleveland chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and some individual lawmakers have urged Kasich to broaden the diversity among the Cabinet, which provides key policy advice.
Great advice, John! All of Ohio needs you, John! Hope to hear good news from you soon.
Your Polish Friend in Sandusky.
10:15 AM
brutus smith says
Moderators have removed this comment because it contained racist or discriminatory remarks. Discussion Guidelines09:07 AM
Pete says
http://www.cleveland.com/morris/index.ssf/2011/01/the_race_of_gov_kasich...
Read this story at the PD about all this
09:03 AM
reader says
Just another case of a well off white guy taking care of well off white guys. Typical Republican.
08:39 AM
Gardenman says
I am not surprised. Take a look at where this guy has grown up, life in politics, and the jobs he has held and where he has been and its pretty clear. Yea, a shame but not much at this point voters can do BUT in less than 4 years the Governor will be up for election. Doen't take a genius to see in 2006 the Republicans were out and in 2010 they were in................lets make sure in 2014 the Republicans are out again. Very simple...vote the Governor and his clan out of office.
08:24 AM
goofus says
An AP story? Just shows ya the liberal agenda of the lamestream media. A non story being touted as one.
08:06 AM
Captain Gutz says
Mr Info,
"...that means you don't want anybody with differing experiences or alternative ideas on your staff,..."
So all "white" people have identical experiences and ideas?
12:12 AM
Mr. Info says
"Justus" and everybody else criticizing the Register obviously can't read well: This is clearly labeled an AP story. Also, it seems to me that there are many people qualified to do any one particular job, so you have to make a conscious effort not to have any diversity. And that means you don't want anybody with differing experiences or alternative ideas on your staff, which will make you less successful in the long run.