The overall message from President Obama about the fate of his cabinet in the new term? Thanks.
Giving a few words prior to their meeting on-air, President Obama was thankful for the service of his current cabinet after a tough campaign.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for me to meet with my full cabinet for the first time since the elections took place. The primary purpose from my perspective is to say thank you. Everybody here in their respective agencies has done a remarkable job on behalf of the American people across the board on a wide range of issues. They’ve always prioritized how do we make sure that we have a strong middle class, how do we grow our economy, how do we put people back to work and how do we keep the American people safe as we continue to extend our influences and our ideals around the world. I could not have a better collection of people, many of whom have stayed here throughout my first term, I think we’ve had as little turnover this first term as any president,” he said.
Aside from being grateful to the assembled secretaries, including Secretary of State Hilary Clinton whom is leaving after this term–already launching a “Hilary Clinton for President” email that went out earlier today. President Obama was quick to “remind them we have a lot of work to do.” The work in particular echos the president’s call to action for bringing jobs back to the unemployed, focusing on the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and dealing with the ever-looming “fiscal cliff.”
No mention about the possibly departing EPA Administrator Linda Jackson or who’s being vetted for the other soon-to-be-empty spots. While that’s a little strange–especially with so many rumored positions being up for grabs, like Secretary of Energy and the supposedly disappearing Dr. Steven Chu. Though Obama did end his remarks by “publicly embaressing” Secretary of Veteran Affairs Eric Shinseki and Janet Napolitano, secretry of homeland security, with birthday remarks. When thrown a last minute request for remarks on U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, the president replied, “[She] is extraordinary. I couldn’t be prouder of the job she’s done.”