November 20, 2008
Chris Battle
Security DeBrief
CNN is reporting that multiple sources have confirmed that President-Elect Obama has selected Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano to be head up the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Obama picks Napolitano for Homeland Security Secretary - CNN.com
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.
Gov. Janet Napolitano is President-elect Barack Obama's top choice for secretary of homeland security, sources say.
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.
Napolitano has long been rumored among Washington insiders to be on the short list for a Cabinet slot; the only question was whether it would be Attorney General or Homeland Security. However, the news that former Clinton Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder has been offered the AG slot raised the likelihood of border-state Governor Napolitano to land the Homeland position.
Napolitano will be the first woman to lead the Department, following Secretaries Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff under President Bush. She brings not only her direct experience governing the state of Arizona, one of the border states that has seen some of the most violent acitivity among immigrant and drug smuggling gangs, but she also brings credible law enforcement experience as a former U.S. Attorney and state Attorney General.
SOURCE: Security DeBrief
