Charlie Gibson: "Would it be a bipartisan Cabinet? Would you want Republicans in it?"
Completed on: Dec. 1 | View Promise History
Obama fulfilled this promise almost immediately, announcing less than a month after the election that Robert Gates would stay on as Defense secretary. In January, Rep. Ray LaHood, a Republican from Obama’s home state of Illinois, was named Transportation secretary. Then, after New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his nomination for Commerce secretary, Obama tried for a bipartisan trifecta by nominating Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., in his place on Feb. 3. But Gregg himself withdrew just over a week later, citing “irresolvable conflicts" on the stimulus package and administration of the census -- one of many signs in the first 100 days that this administration would face trouble ushering in a new era of comity.
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