President-elect Barack Obama is nearly finished choosing his Cabinet as he prepares to leave Saturday on a holiday vacation in his native Hawaii, Associated Press reported. Obama settled on California Rep. Hilda Solis for labor secretary and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk for U.S. trade representative, officials said Thursday. He was ready to introduce Republican Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois as transportation secretary at a news conference Friday afternoon, although it wasn't clear who else might join him at the podium. In addition to transportation, labor and U.S. trade representative, Obama also has yet to announce senior intelligence positions. Democratic officials said on Thursday that Dennis Blair, a retired admiral and the former head of U.S. Pacific Command, is a leading contender to become director of national intelligence. The president-elect also has a host of sub-Cabinet selections to make.
