DALLAS -- The negotiating skills Ron Kirk used as Dallas mayor should serve him well as U.S. trade representative.
A Democratic official said Thursday that President-elect Barack Obama had chosen Kirk, 54, for the post. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because Obama had not made the selection public. Obama plans to formally announce the selection possibly as early as Friday.
"Clearly, one of the key requirements for the job is to be able to work effectively with the Congress. The political skills developed and utilized as mayor are going to be invaluable experience," said Jeff Schott, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
"It requires people skills, hands-on cooperation, contact," he said. "And that's the kind of thing you have to do when you are a mayor running a city, and that's a skill that will be quite valuable."
Kirk, a partner in the Dallas office of the Houston-based powerhouse law and lobbying firm Vinson & Elkins, was the first black to be elected Dallas mayor. He was overwhelmingly elected in 1995 and won again by a wide margin in 1999. He resigned in 2001 to run as a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate but was defeated by Republican John Cornyn.
Reached by phone Thursday, Kirk had no comment on word that he was to be named U.S. trade representative other than to acknowledge that he'd met with transition officials.
Jan Hart Black, president of the Dallas Regional Chamber, said that as mayor, Kirk was a "superb trade emissary to the world" for the region and a gifted negotiator who focused on trade with Canada and Mexico.
John Murphy, vice president for international affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said that Kirk had a strong record of working with the business community.
"People in the Texas business community who have worked with him speak highly of his understanding of international business opportunities and trade. He's got a real-world appreciation for the importance of trade to the economy," Murphy said.
Frank Vargo, vice president for international economic affairs at the National Association of Manufacturers, said that it would help that Obama and Kirk seem to have a good relationship, because a trade representative must have access to the president to be effective.
Kirk has said that he met Obama at a Democratic event in Chicago, where Obama sought his advice on running for the U.S. Senate. The two continued to bump into each other, discovering much in common politically and personally, including being the fathers of two daughters.
When Obama decided to run for president, Kirk has said, he told him: "I'll be your guy in Texas" and became state chairman for Obama's campaign.
As mayor, Kirk was known for political moderation and evenhandedness. He also helped bring a $420 million sports arena to Dallas.
Kirk biography
AGE -- 54
BIRTH DATE-- June 27, 1954;
EXPERIENCE -- partner, Vinson & Elkins LLP, 2000-present; Dallas mayor, 1995-2001; partner, Gardere & Wynne LLP; Texas secretary of state, 1994; shareholder, Johnson & Gibbs PC, 1989-1994; Dallas, assistant city attorney and chief lobbyist, 1983-1989; legislative assistant to Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, 1981-83.
EDUCATION -- B.A. in political science and sociology, Austin College, 1976; JD, University of Texas School of Law, 1979.
FAMILY -- Married; two children.
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