Wood Smith: ‘Obama brings smart people to work with him’

Oregon Democratic Party Chair Meredith Wood Smith had a mixed reaction to rumors Thursday that two Oregon Democratic politicians are being considered for posts in President-elect Barack Obama’s administration.

Political junkies throughout the country have been theorizing that Obama is considering former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber for Secretary of the Interior, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland) as Transportation Secretary.

“I would love that, but I would have mixed feelings,” Wood Smith said outside a press conference for Senator-elect Jeff Merkley (D-Portland). “They have both been so important to our state. Congressman Blumenauer is my congressman, and he’s done such a great job.”

Wood Smith was still ecstatic even two days after the general election turned into a clean sweep for Oregon Democrats. They managed to elect Obama, Merkley, OR-5 incoming Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Canby), incoming Secretary of State Kate Brown (D-Portland), incoming State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Tumalo), as well as increasing a majority in the Oregon State House and maintaining a majority in the  State Senate.

With the election over, there is still political shuffling to be done as Obama looks to appoint top Democrats into his cabinet. Political insiders have been speculating on who Obama would bring into his administration since before he was even elected Tuesday night, and with Blumenauer and Kitzhaber on the list, the Democratic sorting-out in Oregon may not be over.

But even if Obama is sworn in without any Oregonians in his cabinet, Wood Smith trusts that he would make the best choices in those he taps to serve.

“The nice thing is Obama brings smart people to work for him,” Wood Smith said.