No OMB cabinet spot for Cooper

Obama taps director of Congressional Budget Office for key post

Email | Print By Nate Rau

President-elect Barack Obama has selected Peter Orszag to serve as his budget director, according to the New York Times, eliminating one key cabinet opening for which Congressman Jim Cooper was thought to be a prime candidate.

Cooper had repeatedly downplayed the possibility of a cabinet spot, but his name had been mentioned by various national media outlets as a candidate for the Office of Management and Budget for the Obama administration.

Some observers have said Cooper has a greater value in Congress, where he can move legislation and advocate for the new administration. Cooper was an early supporter of Obama.

As rumors circulated that Cooper may be headed for a cabinet appointment, a litany of local potential replacements expressed interest in his seat. Among them were Council members Megan Barry, Erik Cole, Jerry Maynard, Jason Holleman and Greg Adkins, among many others.

Orszag had previously served as the director of the Congressional Budget Office. The Times reported that, like other Obama cabinet appointments, Orszag was a protégé of former President Bill Clinton’s administration.