Appointees

The incoming Transportation secretary's hearing has been postponed until next week, says the Washington Post's 44 blog. The paper reported this morning that LaHood, a recently retired Republican Representative from Illinois, has ties to an indicted figure in the Blagojevich scandal, and sponsored earmarks benefitting campaign donors.

Incoming Treasury secretary Tim Geithner is facing questions over reports that he owed more than $40,000 in back taxes and employed a domestic worker who did not have proper immigration papers.

As has been widely reported, Bill Richardson has withdrawn his nomination for Secretary of Commerce. USA Today has press releases from both sides. The Politico reports that the Richardson camp wasn’t exactly forthright with details of the investigation. Meanwhile, Latino leaders are lobbying Barack Obama to appoint another Hispanic to his cabinet. (More after the jump.)

In a statement today, Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, had this to say about the appointment of Ron Kirk to be the U.S. trade representative:

Whether Ron Kirk is a good choice for trade representative will be determined by his ability to deliver on President-elect Obama’s pledges to the American public to create a new trade and globalization policy that benefits more Americans. (Rest of the statement after the jump.)

The Transition has just released the prepared remarks for Obama's press conference. (Press release after the jump.)

Obama is scheduled to speak at a press conference in Chicago today at 2:15 pm Eastern time. He is expected to formally announce yesterday's appointments for Labor, Transportation and U.S. trade representative, reports the Washington Post. (More after the jump.)

Obama, Time's (surprise!) newly announced person of the year, will hold a press conference at Chicago's Drake Hotel at 11:45 a.m. Eastern this morning. He is expected to announce the nominations of former Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-Iowa) as Agriculture secretary and Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) for Interior, according to USA Today. (More after the jump.)

Obama will announce Arne Duncan, CEO of the Chicago school system, as his nominee for secretary of Education at a press conference at 11:45 Eastern. Duncan is viewed as a reformer who believes in charter schools and No Child Left Behind, while still getting along with the teachers' union. Harvard educated, Duncan played professional basketball in Australia. [Washington Post Wall Street Journal] (More after the jump.)

The Transitions says "a review of Transition staff contacts with Governor Blagojevich and his office has been conducted and completed and is ready for release."

Dan Pfeiffer, Transition Communications Director, says that, at the specific request of the U.S.  Attorney's office, the release will be delayed until Dec. 22.

Obama will hold a national security meeting in Chicago today, followed by a press conference at 5 p.m. Eastern on energy and the environment. (Much more after the jump.)