Former Governor Gary Locke will Obama’s Commerce Secretary, says reports. Gary Locke will be Obama’s head of Commerce after New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Judd Gregg exited the field. Locke is an eight year governor of Washington from 1996 to 2004.

Locke has also served in the state and county levels. Locke remains the only ever elected Chinese U.S. governor.

This would be Obama’s third Asian appointee in the Cabinet. Gary Locke also reportedly served as co-chair of Clinton’s Presidential campaign during the primaries.

No confirmation to the report by Obama or Locke.

Click / bookmark the following for continuing coverage:
http://news.lalate.com/category/obama-cabinet.

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Jill Zuckman has been tapped for Obama’s Transportation Department. Jill Zuckman joins Obama’s Transportation Department from the Chicago Tribune.

The Tribune issued a statement about its own today who served as a Tribune Washington correspondent. Zuckman will be assistant to the secretary and director of public affairs.

Zuckman tells her Tribune:

“I’m excited about going to a department in the administration that’s going to play a huge role in hopefully putting people back to work”

The Tribune says of Jill:

“Jill is a terrific journalist and colleague who contributed much to our coverage of Congress, national politics and the 2008 presidential campaign. We wish her the best in her new assignment.”

Congrats to Jill!

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Shauna Daly is Obama’s new White House counsel research director. But Shauna Daly is 29 with “no law degree”, no “list[ed]… legal training on her resume” claims  report.

Shauna?! Barack? What’s going on here? Why has Shauna Daly been given this job?

Daly got the job last month for the important legal position in the White House. But people are now asking — why?

The Washington Times reports the following shocking details:

“Though she is inside one of the most powerful legal offices in the land, Miss Daly holds no law degree and doesn’t list any legal training on her resume.

“Her sole experience has been as an opposition researcher for Democratic political campaigns: She helped dig up dirt on rivals, or on her own nominee to prepare for attacks.”

Says Mark Levin, a conservative radio host, to the paper, “Her only qualification is that she knows how to dig up dirt on other people”.

OUCH!

The White House’s official word:

“Shauna will be performing legal research in support of a team of lawyers doing traditional legal work at the White House.”

Let’s hope so.

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Neal Wolin is one of 22 Obama deputy counsels announced today. Neal Wolin joins the Obama Administration from a previous Clinton post.

Neal Wolin joins 22 counsels that are either Clinton former post members, Harvard grads, or Supreme Court Justice former clerks.

They reportedly include: “Principal Deputy Counsel Daniel Meltzer (Harvard); Deputy Counsel to the President for National Security Affairs and Legal Adviser to the National Security Council Mary DeRosa (Clinton); and Deputy Counsel to the President for Economic Policy and Deputy Assistant to the President Neal Wolin (Clinton).

“… Associate Counsels named today include Kendall Burman; Susan Davies (Clinton, clerk for Kennedy and Breyer); Karen Dunn (Hillary Clinton’s Senate Office, Breyer); Danielle Gray (Harvard, Breyer); Michael Gottlieb (Harvard, Stevens); Roberto J. Gonzalez (Stevens) Virginia Canter (Clinton); Caroline Krass (Clinton); Jonathan Kravis (Breyer); Trevor Morrison (Ginsburg); Alison J. Nathan (Stevens); Kate Shaw (Stevens); and Christian A. Weideman.”

In related news, catch the Obama Air Force One special on National Geographic this week. National Geographic taped the Obama Air Force One broadcast, previously previewed on LALATE, when Obama was president elect.

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PHOTOS! Here are picture of Michael S Smith’s work. Michael Smith is Obama’s White House Interior Designer Decorator. Michael Smith is the new the White House Decorator announced today. Smith has a best selling book on decorating, a second book, celebrity clients, amazing taste, and a huge fan base.

Michael S. Smith Pictures
Michael S. Smith Photo 1
Michael S. Smith Photo 2
Michael S. Smith Photo 3

Michael S Smith’s website describes his two books:

“[After] stellar success of his first book, Elements of Style, Rizzoli is proud to present MICHAEL S. SMITH HOUSES, a new overview of acclaimed designer Michael Smith’s work. Smith’s exquisite taste and laid back sensibility are avidly sought by clients who want unpretentious interiors filled with style and comfort and, in HOUSES, he offers advice and lots of inspiration for readers keen to achieve this in their own dream homes.”

Reported clients of Smith include Stephen Spielberg, Rob Reiner, Cindy Crawford, Rupert Murdoch and Evelyn de Rothschild - who said of Smith he was the only designer who ever listened to what he said. Wendi Murdoch’s describes Smith as follows: “He has beautiful taste and is so much fun to be around! He’s like a wife’s best friend.”

He designs homes, has a line of furniture called Jasper, bath furnishings and faucets for Kallista, tiles for Ann Sacks, and rugs for Mansour.

What a talent.

Reviews of his books on Amazon such as here are great. One reader says:

“Almost nobody does tea-stained, mismatched, nap-friendly Granny Modern as well as Michael Smith. ” (LALATE is not sure what that means, but it sounds great)!

The official White House statement today said the following:

OBAMA FAMILY PREPARES TO MAKE THE WHITE HOUSE “HOME”

The Presidential Transition Office announced details today regarding the selection of a White House decorator- a tradition and customary decision for new First Families.

Michael Smith has been chosen by Michelle Obama to help make The White House residence their home. A native of California, Smith studied interior design at the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles and continued his studies in London. He returned to California to open a home furnishings store and launched his own design firm in l990. Michael Smith serves on the Board of Trustees for the Otis College of Art and Design. He takes particular pride in his family-focused clientele and approach.

“Laura Bush has been a wonderful steward of The White House and created a beautiful residence for her family. I look forward to adding our own touch to the East Wing and creating a living space where our family feels comfortable, happy and settled. Michael shares my vision for creating a family friendly feel to our new home and incorporating some new perspectives from some of America’s greatest artists and designers,” said Michelle Obama.

“I am delighted to work with the Obamas as they bring their own energy and style to the residence at The White House,” said decorator Michael Smith. “The family’s casual style, their interest in bringing 20th Century American artists to the forefront and utilizing affordable brands and products will serve as our guiding principles as we make the residence feel like their home.”

Congrats to Michael on the position!

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Here is the Inauguration 2009 Schedule. The Inauguration 2009 Schedule of events for Barack Obama run Saturday through Tuesday.

***  UPDATE ***

LALATE NEWS HAS LIVE STREAMING VIDEO OF THE INAUGURATION
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE INAUGURATION LIVE ON LALATE.COM STARTING AT 10 AM EST TUESDAY

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2009

“We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial” on HBO. The performers include:

Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am and Stevie Wonder.

“Historical passages” during the concert include Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington.

MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2009

Youth Concert in downtown Washington, D.C. Free, but tickets required.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009

Musical Selections: The United States Marine Band, followed by The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Senator Dianne Feinstein
Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
Musical Selection: Aretha Franklin
Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will be sworn into office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens
Musical Selection: John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet)
President-elect Barack H. Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln’s Inaugural Bible, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
Inaugural Address
Poem: Elizabeth Alexander
Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
The National Anthem: The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”

Afterwards - 10 official Inaugural Balls.

For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit www.pic2009.org.

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LIVE! Watch LIVE STREAMING VIDEO of the Clinton Senate Confirmation Hearing right now! Watch online LIVE the Clinton Confirmation for Secretary of State Senate Hearing.

Sen. Hillary Clinton is speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Chariman is Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. Other leaders have already praised Clinton.

“America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America,” she said. “I believe American leadership has been wanting, but is still wanted.”

“We must use what has been called `smart power,’ the full range of tools at our disposal. With `smart power,’ diplomacy will be the vanguard of foreign policy.”

Watch the live video below.