Subject: Transition candidates
From: Dick Gephardt <[email-masked]>
To: "[email-masked]'" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:49:02 -0500

John - I will not bother you with another phone call you don't need - but wanted to put in a good word for the following candidates for positions in the administration:

1. Leo Hindery for Commerce. In addition to being a really able business person he has a great relationship with labor and - in particular - many union presidents.

Since the new administration seems headed for a big shoot-out on Employee Free Choice - Leo might be one of the few people who could engineer a creative compromise.

2. Jim Blanchard - Transportation or USTR - With governor and ambassador and congressional experience he would be well suited for either role. At USTR he could potentially find good compromises between labor and business.

3. Margie Sullivan - Cabinet Secretary - Margie did defense for me when I was Leader - she has all the skills you would want for this position.

Good luck with your very difficult assignment - Dick