By Regina Dennis

Tribune-Herald staff writer

As President-elect Barack Obama works to assemble his administration in the next 10 weeks, speculation has begun that U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, may be in line for a spot in the Cabinet.

In the summer, Edwards was on Obama’s short list of vice presidential contenders. Now several political blogs, including the Huffington Post, have suggested the Texas Democrat might have a place at the table during Cabinet meetings.

Though Edwards acknowledges a “close, personal relationship” with Obama, he said the Cabinet talk is just a rumor.

“This summer, there was talk when I was being vetted for the VP position that I could be appointed to a Cabinet position,” Edwards said. “But I have not since been contacted by president-elect Obama or anyone in his staff about being appointed to his Cabinet.”

Edwards, a champion for veterans and troops rights and chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, would be a likely candidate for secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department.

Adrian Atizado, assistant deputy legislative director for Disabled American Veterans, said the U.S. Senate would likely seek the organization’s input on a proposed candidate for VA secretary during the vetting process, though the agency does not actively lobby for a certain individual to fill a Cabinet position.

“On Mr. Edwards, he has been a very strong champion for disabled veterans . . . and we hold him in high regard,” Atizado said. “As subcommittee chairman, he has to know the demands on the health care and communications systems of the VA and be aware of program execution, as well as where the gaps are in serving and helping rehabilitate disabled veterans across the country. So he has very good insight on the operation of the VA.”

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, said Edwards would be a positive addition to the Obama administration.

“Chet would be an outstanding choice for President Obama’s Cabinet,” Doggett said in a statement. “His depth and breadth of experience, his commitment to issues important to veterans and working families, and his leadership skills would allow him to serve our nation and new president with distinction.”

Edwards said that he would not flatly refuse a Cabinet offer but that he would prefer to continue serving the constituents in District 17, which includes 12 Central Texas counties. Edwards defeated Republican challenger Rob Curnock in the election Tuesday, securing 52.98 percent of the total votes to Curnock’s 45.49 percent.

“I usually have a harder time during presidential election years . . . because people tend to vote along straight-party lines during presidential elections,” Edwards said. “I am humbled by every election because it serves as a reminder that my position is not in my hands, it’s in the hands of the voters, and I am truly grateful for the support of all my constituents in McLennan County.”

Edwards, an early supporter of Obama, said he was delighted at the president-elect’s victory and the growth in the number of Democratic seats in both houses. Edwards said that although the Democrats now have control over the executive and legislative branches, it is important that both parties place aside partisan issues and focus on the pressing concerns of the country.

“I think if the Democrats focus on those bread and butter issues in the country — creating more jobs, strengthening our economy, making energy, education and health care more affordable — we can accomplish some changes for the good of the country,” Edwards said. “If they lean to the left and get side-tracked with hot-button issues and stay away from the bread and butter issues, then they’re going to pay a price in the next election.”

rdennis@wacotrib.com

757-5755