One of the lesser-noted reasons that labor is so thrilled with Obama's choice of Rep. Hilda Solis as labor secretary is that she has a strong record on environmental issues, too:

Most recently, Solis sought direct federal funding and other incentives to create more so-called green jobs in the renewable energy sector. An environmental advocate with strong support from groups like the Sierra Club, she helped author legislation the House passed last year to bolster job training programs in the field, like teaching workers how to install solar panels or retrofit buildings to be more energy efficient.

She also served on the speaker's select committee to address global warming and has co-sponsored legislation to limit carbon emissions across the board.

One thing that Obama's cabinet picks, this one included, show is the degree to which this administration sees the need to address the big issues -- the environment, the economy, the plight of working people, health care -- as intertwined and interlocking.