Sebelius and Napolitano, Competent Public Face of the Obama Cabinet

By design, the public face of the Obama administration lately has been Kathleen Sebelius, Health & Human Service Secretary, and Janet Napolitano, Director of Homeland Security.

I say "by design" because the White House is eager to highlight the enormous capabilities of these two cabinet members, and desperate to take the spotlight off others in the Obama administration including embarrassingly gaffe-prone Vice President Joe Biden and inarticulate Wall Street insider, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

Director Napolitano and newly confirmed Secretary Sebelius have handled the swine flu panic with seasoned skill and great aplomb. The two former red-state governors are pictured above on an April 30, 2009 federal government webcast to directly answer public queries about the swine flu outbreak.

Commented Secretary Sebelius during the webcast, "At times like this, clear accurate information is one of the most powerful tools we have and we look forward to answering questions and speaking directly to the American people."

Both Napolitano and Sebelius were reportedly on President Obama's vice-presidential short list... and lately, I've wondered why, if not Hillary Clinton, neither was selected. Both were respected two-term governors, known for their competence, cool demeanor and grace, managerial skills, and noted ability to work on a bipartisan basis.

To learn more about these well-regarded leaders, read my profiles of them at:

• Profile of Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Director
  
• Profile of Kathleen Sebelius, Health & Human Services Secretary

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(Photo taken on April 30, 2009: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)