Amanda Simpson: What will Glenn Beck say?
The Obama administration’s appointment of Amanda Simpson to a relatively low-profile spot as advisor to the Commerce Department felt intentionally buried over the New Year’s news cycle. Why? Simpson, who will be working in the Bureau of Industry and Security, used to be a man.
“I’m truly honored to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about this opportunity that is before me,” Simpson said in a statement. “And at the same time, as one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government, I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others.”
The appointment of Simpson, a former test pilot for Ratheon Missile Systems, so far hasn’t generated much news coverage, although we heard about it from the excellent Jake Tapper at ABC News. Mediaite also picked up the story. Will her appointment generate screaming on the right? Or have terrorism, joblessness and health care reform made everyone jaded?
Tapper notes that Simpson is certainly among the first transgender presidential appointees, but it’s unclear if she is the first. The blog was wrestling with “change we can believe in” jokes, but now feels it’s in poor taste. Amanda Simpson, welcome!
