SAN FRANCISCO — While the mad dash to the finish line ended with the election of the nation’s first African American president, a new race has begun, with perhaps equal if not more flurry: Asian Pacific Americans jockeying for key positions in the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Oba-ma.

The Nichi Bei Times asked attorney Dale Minami, a member of Obama’s Asian American Pacific Islander Executive Committee, about his thoughts on potential Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) in an Obama administration.

Also providing insight was Congressman Mike Honda (D-San Jose), who as chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee is arguably the most influential Asian American politician in the country.

'"I suspect there’s about close to a couple of thousand appointments that are available,"' said Honda, who added that over the past couple of months, Asian Americans across the country have been asked to prepare their applications.

In regards to Cabinet-level appointments, Minami suggested a number of APAs who could lead certain departments: Honda (D-San Jose) at the Department of Education; former San Jose Congressman and presidential cabinet veteran Norman Mineta at a variety of posts; Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth at the head of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; U.S. Army General Eric Shinseki or Major General Antonio Taguba as head of the Department of Defense; and longtime U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye as ambassador to Japan.

Honda’s name has come up in the past as a potential education secretary. Is that a role suited for the four-term congressman and former school principal from the Silicon Valley?

'"Absolutely,"' asserted Minami. '"He started his career as an educator from ground zero — in the classroom. He has been a teacher, an administrator and a strong proponent of effective educational policies. He also understands the changing demographics of our country and what it means for educational reform."'

Honda said that he’s put his hat into the ring for the position.

'"I put my name out there and am talking to different folks,"' said Honda, who mentioned that there has been no change in education policy in the last two to three decades. '"I think I know what we need to do. That’s the opportunity I want to address with the Obama administration."'

Although in a recent interview with the Nichi Bei Times he brushed off thoughts of returning to politics, Mineta is the most experienced Asian American cabinet member, serving as both the secretary of commerce in the Clinton administration — the first Asian American to serve any Cabinet position — and as the longest-serving transportation secretary, from 2001 to mid-2006.

Minami said Mineta could ably serve in either of his former posts, or even as ambassador to Japan.

Minami also noted that Sen. Inouye — who was recently slated to be the head of the Senate Appropriations Committee — could serve as ambassador to Japan as well.

'"I think they both would be strong candidates,"' Honda said. Honda mentioned that Mineta’s '"preparation across different arenas"' may make him more prepared for the position.

Besides, Honda said, Sen. Inouye was just named as head of the Senate Appropriations Committee, a powerful position where he could have a major role in creating policies.

Illinois veteran Duckworth may be up for two political appointments tied to Obama: the President-elect’s Senate seat as well as the head of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Duckworth, a 40-year-old of Thai descent, lost both of her legs in a 2004 helicopter crash while serving as an Illinois Army National Guard pilot in Iraq. A Democrat, she lost her bid for a seat in Congress in 2006.

'"I think that she’s a viable candidate because she is the veterans affairs head of her state,"' Honda said.

When asked about other potential appointments, Minami pointed to other Asian Pacific Americans, among them is Glen S. Fukushima, the president and CEO of Airbus Japan who served in the office of the United States Trade Representative in Washington, D.C. from 1985-1990. Fukushima has a joint law degree and MBA from Harvard University.

Other potential candidates for appointments, as proposed by Minami, with prospective offices noted: Paul Igasaki, at the Department of Labor or Department of Justice; Mi-chael Yaki, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; Stuart Ishimaru, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; former law school dean Frank Wu, Justice Department; and others such as former U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division attorney Marisa Chun, former Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Institute Executive Director Francey Youngberg, former Organization of Chinese Ame-ricans Executive Director Daphne Kwok, and AAPIs for Obama leaders Charmaine Manan-sala, Dr. Stan Toy and Betsy Kim.

'"There are many, many South Asians who were instrumental in galvanizing the APA votes and I know of many qualified individuals but don’t know of their interest,"' Minami said. '"They will be a force in this administration."'