Becerra’s wise move

Soon after the 2008 election, then-President-elect Barack Obama asked
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) to be his U.S. trade representative
(USTR).

It’s never easy saying no to the president. But Becerra did. And he made the right choice.

{mosads}Becerra is a prominent member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and sits on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.
Most importantly, he has a seat at the leadership table. After Rahm Emanuel accepted Obama’s offer to become his chief of staff, Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) took Emanuel’s place as Democratic Caucus chairman.

With the vice chairman position open, Becerra announced his bid and subsequently defeated Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), 175-67.

Two weeks later, the call from Obama came.

Other members of Congress, including Emanuel and now-Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, struggled with the decision to leave Capitol Hill. However, few have said, “Thanks, but no thanks” to the commander in chief.

Becerra’s decision to stay in the House was shrewd. Trade policy in the Obama administration has been dormant, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.

While Obama has called on Congress to move pending trade deals, senior Democrats in the House and Senate have balked. That would not have changed if Becerra had accepted the post.

The nine-term Democrat had a front-row seat in revamping the nation’s healthcare laws. He is also taking a leading role in pushing Obama to act on immigration reform and has not shied away from criticizing the president.

Earlier this month, Becerra said Latinos view Obama with “suspicion.” Becerra, whose mother was born in Mexico, added that the president made promises during the campaign that have not been pursued.

“Rightfully, I think a lot of folks are questioning where the president’s priorities are,” he told KPCC Radio on April 7.

Still, Becerra, unlike other members of the CHC, endorsed Obama over then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) in the 2008 presidential race.

Becerra, 52, has a bright future in the House. The three top leaders in the lower chamber are all at least 17 years older than the congressman who represents Los Angeles. And with Emanuel out of the running for Speaker, it’s not unreasonable to think Becerra could someday be the top Democrat in the House.

Turning down the president was the best political decision Becerra has ever made.