Since a whirlwind election campaign, Barack Obama and his transition team have been in high gear, burning the midnight oil to develop strategy and nominate appointments far faster than any President-elect ever has. But this doesn’t come as a surprise to those who elected him - they asked for, and are getting, serious attention to pressing issues that just cannot wait until January 20th.

However optimistic Obama’s supporters are, some political pundits are already disappointed by his cabinet choices. According to those disappointed, Obama’s choices are anything but progressive and are too centrist to meet their lofty ideals of “change” for the coming years. It appears to me that these pundits are not viewing Obama’s appointments in the light in which they are deserved.

The nominations of Robert Gates as Defense Secretary; Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State; Eric Holder Jr., for Attorney General, and Jim Jones to take over as National Security Adviser, in my opinion, indicates not that Obama is less than progressive, but that he has embraced the lessons of the past in a way that will be remembered in history as a break with politics as usual. These choices are picks that indicate Obama’s willingness to put politics aside and select strong candidates for the job, not just those who were at the right place at the right time.

Added to these strong nominations are a diverse range of appointments that include a share of faces from the previous Clinton administration, a couple University Professors, several of Obama’s campaign advisors and staffers, a couple lobbyists and private industry executives and of course, a few plumb positions left for officials from Obama’s home town of Chicago.

Although some have complained that Latino representation is lacking in Obama’s choices so far, two prominent positions have gone to Latinos, including Cecilia Munoz as Director of White House Inter-Government Affairs and Louis Caldera as Director of White House Military Office.

All together this list of candidates represents a very progressive mix of politicians, track-record administrators, academic expertise, and private industry representation; all provide a hefty mix of nationalities and genders.

Far from being a non-progressive, Obama’s swift action, and efficient transition team efforts point to what will no doubt be one of the most effective cabinet picks this country has seen for generations. Personally I am looking forward to the future; something I haven’t been able to say for more than eight years. Best of luck in the coming trials and tribulations for our new President, Barack Obama!

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