Amid all of the pontification surrounding the Donald Trump transition timeline, here’s some comparative information:
(Via ABC) Obama did not make his first Cabinet nomination — Tim Geithner for treasury secretary — until Nov. 24th.
In a press conference on Dec. 1, 2008, Obama revealed his next big batch of Cabinet positions, including Hillary Clinton as secretary of state and Eric Holder as attorney general.
Obama had three Cabinet nominees withdraw.
On Jan. 4, 2009, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his nomination for secretary of commerce, plagued by a federal pay-to-play investigation into whether a state agency contracted with a company belonging to a prominent Richardson donor.
There were no indictments in the case, but the New Mexico U.S. attorney at the time said investigators found “pressure from the governor’s office resulted in the corruption of the procurement process,” according to The Wall Street Journal.
On Feb. 3, 2009, South Dakota former Sen. Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination for secretary of health and human services because he was under scrutiny for his taxes. He admitted to failing to pay taxes on a car and driver and apologized.
New Hampshire Republican former Sen. Judd Gregg withdrew his name for consideration as secretary of commerce on Feb. 12 because of what he called “irresolvable conflicts” with Obama’s economic agenda.
Obama began his term with two vacant Cabinet positions: secretary of commerce and secretary of health and human services. (read Bush and Clinton transition here)
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