The Curious Case Of Ron Kirk

Congressional Quarterly has a tracker of Obama's cabinet nominees. With the confirmation of Hilda Solis last night, there are only three unfilled positions. Gary Locke was announced today as the latest nominee for Commerce Secretary, and the Health and Human Services Secretary is to be determined after the withdrawal of Tom Daschle.

And then there's Ron Kirk, the former Mayor of Dallas. He was announced as the choice for US trade representative on December 19.

Since then, he has not been confirmed.

He has not been scheduled for a vote in the Senate Finance Committee.

He has not been scheduled for a HEARING in that committee.

Did everyone forget about him? Is he the Sixteen Candles nominee?

FINALLY, yesterday, committee chair Max Baucus signaled that Kirk's hearing should happen soon, perhaps next week. This is 2 1/2 months after his nomination.

I guess trade isn't much of a priority.