Shifting Cabinet

Centrist Democrats and several Republicans have applauded President-elect Obama’s early Cabinet appointments, suggesting that the selections indicate an administration that will govern from the middle.

There is little doubt that Obama’s choices are politically savvy, but it is far too early to read the runes, decide how he will lead the country or hazard a guess what complexion his administration will take. Simply put, the sweeping statements about the ideology of his Cabinet appear to be woefully premature.

It is true that Obama’s team members are closer to the middle than the left, including Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Defense Secretary Robert Gates and economic adviser Lawrence Summers.

Many on the left weren’t fond of these nominations, expressing concern that Obama was not picking a “change” Cabinet. They are anxiously awaiting people who have a more liberal philosophy.

They may get their wish.

Obama wisely announced his national security team first. It is not surprising that these appointments were deemed more conservative than most Democrats.

But there are still Cabinet openings available, and there almost certainly will be some places reserved for the left.

Former Rep. David Bonior’s (D-Mich.) name has been floated for the Department of Labor. Bonior, who has many close ties to the AFL-CIO, had a liberal voting record in Congress.

Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who has a 2.4 lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union, is reportedly being considered for Interior secretary.

It is also probable that Obama will pick a liberal-leaning policymaker to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(For a list of Obama’s official Cabinet announcements, as well as names being floated for Cabinet and other key administration posts, go to digital-staging.thehill.com and click on the link.)

This is not to understate the tone Obama has set with his picks so far. He said the GOP would be represented in his Cabinet, and he kept his word. Obama has also shown he is willing to surround himself with former political adversaries (Clinton, Bill Richardson and Vice President-elect Joe Biden).

Obama is not under much pressure from Congress on his Cabinet. He won, and it’s his right to pick his Cabinet.

What bills should move through Congress is another matter, however.

Many Democrats on Capitol Hill want Obama to pursue bold reform legislative proposals — not just incremental bills that will attract broad support on Capitol Hill. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and other Democrats this week called on Obama to be more aggressive in his views on fixing the economy, even though he hasn’t even been sworn in yet.

Bill Clinton was pushed by congressional leaders to the left during his first two years in the White House, leading to the GOP takeover of Congress in 1994. Democrats in Congress are expecting a lot from Obama, but the president-elect knows he must set the agenda. That will be much tougher than picking a Cabinet.