| |
 |
Fail-proof candidate
|
Elaine Chao (赵小兰), the nominee for US secretary of labour, says she learned all about hard work from her Chinese-immigrant parents and, in particular, watching her mother balance the family's bank account
ELAINE CHAO, 47, named by US President-elect George W Bush on January 11 to be secretary of labour, is a nearly fail-proof candidate, observers said.
Chao was nominated to fill the last cabinet post two days after the withdrawal of Bush's first nominee Linda Chavez, who local press report said had provided shelter and financial support to an illegal immigrant in the early 1990s.
Chao has headed a federal agency and has previously been through the confirmation process. Earlier, she was on Bush's short list of candidates to be transportation secretary but lost out to Norman Mineta, a Democrat who currently heads the Commerce Department.
Mineta was the first Asian-American Cabinet member. Chao would be the first Asian-American woman to hold a cabinet post — something Senator Bill Frist called “a plus”.
Chao met the president-elect and former Texas governor while campaigning for his father, former President Bush.
In her convention appearance, which helped the younger Bush's image with women and minorities, Chao said he would make the United States more welcoming for immigrants.
Political analysts say Chao is well-qualified for a top administration job, even though she hasn't spent a lot of time dealing directly with labour issues.
Chao says she learned all about hard work from her Chinese-immigrant parents and, in particular, watching her mother balance the family's bank account.
“My parents taught me the founding principles of this country, the principles of freedom and opportunity, the value of hard work, the need to ensure that every man and woman is compensated fairly for their hard work,” she said.
“Let me assure you that I will bring to this job the same passion for America that my father demonstrated many years ago when he came to America,” Chao said after Bush's nomination. “My father held three jobs to make ends meet.”
“The story of my family is not unique,” she said. “It's a story shared by millions of immigrants to America... and that's what Governor Bush's compassionate conservatism is all about.”
At the age of eight, Elaine Chao could not speak one word of English when her family arrived in New York by freighter from China's island province of Taiwan. She struggled to learn English but went on to earn a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from Harvard University.
She became a banker and a protégé of Elizabeth Dole, who was secretary of transportation at the time. Chao rose to become deputy secretary.
Chao was plucked from the Transportation Department in 1991 to be director of the Peace Corps, the world's largest volunteer organization, and she established the first outreach programmes to the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union.
Chao went on to take over United Way of America from 1992-1996. She is credited with helping turn around the national charity after her predecessor was ousted.
“She came to the United Way of America probably in its darkest hour of its history,” said Betty Beene, the organization's current president. “She restored the financial stability of the organization and, probably more importantly, the public trust.”
The position in the charity also brought Chao into regular contact with labour leaders.
Chao turned down a parting gift of almost US$300,000 from United Way upon departure from the charity.
Chao currently is a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative, Washington-based think tank. Observers say that should make her palatable to conservatives, who backed Linda Chavez.
She also sits on a number of corporate boards, including those of Northwest Airlines and Dole Food Co.
Like her husband Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who just stepped down as head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Chao has a zest for politics and was one of Bush's fund-raising “pioneers” during the presidential campaign. Members of that group raised at least US$100,000 each for his election bid.
Kentucky's Republican state Chairwoman Ellen Williams said Chao was picked because of her qualifications and because she can bring people together.
“She's very upfront. She's very honest,” Williams said. “Elaine is a public servant and if you choose to work in the public arena you live by a different standard and Elaine understands that.”(SD-Agencies)
|
|
|
|
