Clinton backers selected to join Obama administration

Several of President-elect Obama’s Cabinet appointments
and advisers contributed to his rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), during the Democratic presidential
nomination primary.

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D), who was tapped by the
president-elect to be his Agriculture secretary on Wednesday, endorsed Clinton
and donated to her campaign after he dropped out of the presidential race.

{mosads}But the majority of Obama’s Cabinet backed the former
Illinois senator for president, according to Federal Election Commission data.

Cabinet selections who gave to Obama during the campaign
include Eric Holder, appointed to be attorney general, and Susan Rice, U.N. Ambassador-designate.

“Political contributions don’t play much of role in
Cabinet appointments, but it certainly doesn’t hurt,” Kenneth Gross, who leads
Skadden Arps’ political law practice. “The appointment of a contributor is
likely more a reflection of ideological agreement, friendship or party loyalty,
rather than in return for campaign support.”

He added, however, there are certain non-Cabinet
positions, such as ambassadorships, where contributions often play a larger
role.

Sheila Krumholz, the executive director of the Center for
Responsive Politics, said, “There are lots of ways the donors receive payback
at lower level positions of influence.”

Others who have been asked to join the Cabinet who gave
to Obama include New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), who will be the new
secretary of Commerce, and Shaun Donovan, who will head the Department of
Housing and Urban Development.

Carol Browner, who headed the Environmental Protection
Agency during the Clinton administration and will advise Obama on energy and
climate change, contributed $2,300 to Clinton. Lisa Jackson, appointed by Obama
to head EPA, also contributed to her.

Former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) contributed $2,000 to
Obama’s campaign and so did Arne Duncan, who will be Education secretary.
Daschle, who will head the Department of Health and Human Services, was an
Obama adviser during the presidential campaign.

Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), who has been appointed
Interior secretary, endorsed Obama in December 2007.

Other Cabinet picks, including Arizona Gov. Janet
Napolitano (D), Timothy Geithner, retired Army Gen. Eric Shinseki and retired
Marine Corps Gen. Jim Jones, did not donate to any campaign.

Clinton, who accepted Obama’s offer to become secretary
of State, donated $2,300 to Obama’s campaign after she conceded the race to
him.

Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said, “The president-elect’s
sole criteria for assembling his Cabinet is looking for people of outstanding
qualifications and excellence to serve the American people.”