WASHINGTON–President-elect Barack Obama is considering the appointment of several Asian Americans to his cabinet and other posts, according to community leaders.

Asian American Action Fund Executive Director Gautam Dutta said in an email interview on Nov. 17: “As of today, no decisions have been made on cabinet appointments. Asian American leaders that are being considered for cabinet positions include Democratic National Committee Vice Chair and Representative Mike Honda, former Washington (State) Governor Gary Locke, and Illinois Veteran Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth.”

Dutta also said former New York Solicitor General Preeta Bansal “is being considered for U.S. Solicitor General.” AAA-Fund is a political action committee based in this nation’s capital.

Ms. Duckworth, who was endorsed by AAA Fund for a congressional seat in 2006, “is a contender for not just one, but two national positions–and the buzz is loud.” Added a Filipino American community leader here, “She’s an Obama favorite.”

A decorated war hero, former Army Major Duckworth has been reported to be in serious consideration for the post of secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Her name also came up in a short list for Obama’s possible replacement in the US senate.

She was among the speakers at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, where the party formally declared Obama as its presidential nominee.

Ms. Duckworth lost both her legs in November 2004, when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the Black Hawk helicopter she was piloting in Baghdad. The Democratic Party recruited her and other recent war veterans for congressional races in 2006. Ms. Duckworth generated a lot of support, but fell short in her bid for an open seat in Illinois.

Asian Americans for Obama

On Nov. 7, another community leader, just back from a West Coast massive voter registration and turn-out effort for Obama, said Charmaine Manansala, “will definitely land a high-level post,” but declined to be specific. According to a national poll, Asian Americans voted for Obama 62 percent to Sen. John McCain’s 35 percent on Nov. 4.

Ms. Manansala was the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Vote Director for Obama for America. She was a former top staff when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D, CA) was Minority Leader.

The same community leader said White House executive chef Cristeta Pasia Comerford “will be retained,” adding she’s highly qualified and an Asian to boot. “So, it’s really up to her if she wants to stay.”

AAPI Deputy Director for Obama for America Betsy Kim told Asian Fortune last October, “Raised in a multi-racial family with a half-sister who is Indonesian, Obama has strong personal ties to the AAPI community,”

“He recognizes the achievements of AAPIs who have contributed so much to the success and prosperity of our nation, and who must be a part of our effort to change America,” she added.

President George W. Bush, who will step down from office on Jan. 20, appointed many top Asian Americans during his eight-year term, including a number needing senate confirmation. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao and former Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta served in his cabinet. Mineta was also secretary of commerce under President Bill Clinton–the only Asian American to serve in the cabinet under Democratic and Republican administrations.

A community leader said Mineta, highly respected and admired in the community, “was not interested in any cabinet position.” Currently, Mineta is vice president at Hill and Knowlton and also co-founder with Locke of America’s Opportunity Fund.