CBC wants African-American as Commerce secretary

The Congressional Black Caucus is lobbying President Barack Obama to pick African-American technology executive John Thompson to be his commerce secretary. Thompson is chairman and chief executive officer of Symantec, the software security company best known for its Norton computer protection products. He is expected to step down in early April. In a letter to Obama, the caucus members stressed that Thompson is the only African-American leading a major technology company. The letter, sent last week, also lists the seven black Cabinet members chosen by President Clinton during his two terms. Obama has selected four African-Americans for Cabinet positions.