Patricia Guadalupe Columnist

Now when it diminishes a little the euphoria and celebration of this presidential election comes the real work. Between all the things that it has him to do to the elect president Barack Obama there is naming the persons who will form his office and other positions of importance in the new administration. They circulate several names, between them that of the governor of New Mexico for Secretary of the State. Bill Richardson is an acquaintance ex-legislator and official in the administration Clinton – including to have been an ambassador before the United Nations – and enclosed democratic ex-candidate for the presidency. When he announced last January that was leaving his presidential campaign, it was courted by the democratic candidates of that time Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. On having announced that it would support Obama related to Clinton, they accused it of being a "Judas", but he ignored them and did strong campaign in favor of Obama in Latin communities across the whole country. And we already know that the Latin community played a quite important role in these elections. Richardson was born in California and grew up in Mexico. He speaks three languages – English, Spanish and French – and he is much respected in the diplomatic world. He has not commented on a possible appointment like the principal diplomat of the administration Obama, but neither it is any secret that he would love the position.

Another name that is circulated is that of the trade union lideresa Linda Chávez Thompson for the Department of Work. The vice-president of the trade union AFL-CIO is a daughter of rural parents (she was employed herself at the agricultural fields) and he takes years in the labor branch. She was the first woman – and the first Latin one – in coming to such a high position in the biggest trade union of the country. Also there is circulated the name of senator Ken Salazar, of Colorado, for the Department of the Interior, the agency that – between other things – is in charge of safeguarding the coasts, the national parks and other national resources and indigenous matters.

One hopes that Obama should begin speaking the next week on those who will shape his office, and we will see if he recognizes what did the Hispanic community to help it to come to the White House.