Obama Taps Republican for Key Army Positon

For better or for worse, President Obama vowed to incorporate Republican officials into key posts in his administration. I guess he meant it.

New York Rep. John McHugh is President Barack Obama's choice to be the new Secretary of the Army, a decision likely to set off an extremely competitive special election for the Republican's 23rd district House seat.

A senior White House official confirmed that Obama had chosen McHugh for the post, news that was first reported by the New York Times' Carl Hulse this morning.

McHugh has served in Congress since 1992 and has served on the House Armed Services Committee since 1993; he is currently the ranking minority member on the committee.

With New York poised to see its congressional delegation shrink after the 2010 census, McHugh's 23rd district may cease to exist in the near future. As such, he was reportedly eyeing "a graceful exit" from the House, and the White House seems to have given him one.