Obama Picks Liberal Catholic to Head Domestic Policy

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jan 10, 2012   |   6:39PM   |   Washington, DC

President Barack Obama today chose a liberal Catholic with ties to groups that have thwarted pro-life efforts as the new head of his office of domestic policy in the White House.

Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz will now serve as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and coordinate the policy-making process and supervise the execution of domestic policy in the White House.

“Over the past three years, Cecilia has been a trusted advisor who has demonstrated sound judgment day in and day out,” said President Obama. “Cecilia has done an extraordinary job working on behalf of middle class families, and I’m confident she’ll bring the same unwavering dedication to her new position.”

Muñoz, prior to her time in the Obama White House, served as Senior Vice President for the Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation at the National Council of La Raza, a pro-abortion Hispanic group. The organization joined prominent pro-abortion groups Planned Parenthood and NARAL in pressing for pro-abortion Office of Legal Counsel nominee Dawn Johnsen.

Munoz began her career working on immigration policy for the Archdiocese of Chicago and she received praise from a liberal Catholic group that troubled pro-life advocates during the 2008 elections as a cover for Obama’s extensive pro-abortion views and record.

“Catholics and people of faith have a true ally with the appointment of Cecilia Munoz to head the administration’s Domestic Policy Council,” James Salt, executive director of Catholics United, told the Washington Post.

Katie Pavlich of the conservative web site Town Hall says she is not surprised by Munoz’s appointment to the policy position.

“Obama’s appointment of Munoz isn’t surprising for a few reasons,” Pavlich says, adding, “It’s an election year. This gives Obama yet another way to try and cater to Hispanic voters.”

Munoz will replace Melody Barnes at the top of the council — as she left her position at the end of last month and is looking for work in the private sector. Barnes, who served in the upper echelons of the Obama campaign, is no stranger to promoting abortion. She served on the board of directors of Emily’s List, a group that has spent nearly $250 million promoting pro-abortion candidates. Barnes also served a stint as a member of the board of directors of Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion business that brought in over $1 billion in income the last fiscal year.