Bill Richardson, Commerce Secretary

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Update 12/3, 11:40 am:

Obama has just announced the pick at a press conference

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Update 12/2:

Several news organizations are reporting that the Richardson pick will be announced at a press conference tomorrow.

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Update 11/23: AP: A Democratic official says President-elect Barack Obama will name New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as commerce secretary.

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The official says Obama plans to announce Richardson's selection after Thanksgiving. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations.

Richardson was energy secretary and U.N. ambassador under President Bill Clinton. Richardson would be the most visible Hispanic named to Obama's Cabinet.

Richardson dropped out of the Democratic presidential contest in January and endorsed Obama.

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Update 11/21: More news is coming out about Obama's cabinet. With Penny Pritzker withdrawing herself for consideration, Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post reports that New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is now in contention for Commerce Secretary:

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has emerged as a "serious contender" to head the Commerce Department under President-elect Barack Obama, according to a Democratic official close to the proceedings.

Richardson, who was elected governor of the Land of Enchantment in 2002 and reelected with 69 percent of the vote in 2006, has made no secret of his interest in returning to Washington to take a place in the Obama Administration. A longshot contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, Richardson endorsed Obama in his primary battle with Clinton (to the dismay of many Clinton supporters), and, if nominated for Commerce, would help round out Obama's "Team of Rivals."

Richardson's own state newspaper The Albuquerque Journal is also questioning how their governor will fit in to Obama's forming cabinet.

So, I'm asking everyone I talk to about Richardson's chances, and for the past couple of days, people (including some whose opinion I really value) have been telling me he's a potential Commerce Secretary. We all know he really wants Secretary of State, but conventional wisdom says unless Hillary decides she doesn't want to be America's top diplomat, Richardson should expect something else. And maybe he should expect something else, even if Hillary doesn't take it.

Complete coverage of Obama's cabinet

Comments

[realt123]

Seriously. Decide for yourself who deserves SOS:

Bill's experience:

Governor of New Mexico
Ambassador to UN. (negotiated release of hostages and a diplomat)
Sec. of Energy.
Chairman of Hispanic Relations
Chairman of Dem Gov. Association
Congressman.

Hillary's experience:

Associated to prestigious Rose Law Firm
Sat on Board of Wal-Mart
First Lady (got a lot done for health care)
US Senator

Now decide.
http://acpowerpost.blogspot.com/

[NWPoster]

I hear you... but problem is WE don't get to decide. Bummer.

I don't trust Hillary as a team player. Still too divisive, too hawkish and lacks management skills. Plus still under Bill's thumbs and whims.

Obama wants to neutralize her but this is too rich of a reward.

[NWPoster]

IMO, Bill has the gravitas and experience far exceeding Hillary 's as SecState. He understands the strategic link between energy and national security; he has credible and respected UN experience; he is LIKEABLE (you know that thing about honey vs vinegar); he has EXECUTIVE experience AND he is fluent in Spanish. HRC has none except name recognition.

So far this is one appt I wished Barack had made differently. I appreciate the chess moves Barack has to make but why not offer HRC the AG post, if at all. It seems he might not be sure how difficult she might be in the Senate supporting his Health Care plans, since she believes she KNOWS healthcare inside out from before.

I still give Barack the benefit of the doubt. We'll see how Hillary performs. It just bothers me he appointed someone who is LESS qualified and more baggage-laden (aka Bill C). On the other hand, given our economic condition and trade fiascos, SecCommerce is nothing to sneeze at. Bill certainly has his job cut out for him.

[txfanz]

I definitely think Richardson should have been Obama's SOS... and Hillary would have been much better as UN Ambassador.

And I like the beard too, it suits him.

[klondiker]

I'm sorry - just to debunk this myth of Bill Richardson's supposed loyalty...

He endorsed Obama on March 21st. By this point, it was all but mathematically impossible for Hillary to win. Plus, New Mexico had already voted, going for Hillary.

Richardson's endorsement did NOTHING to help Obama. He might have made a difference if he had endorsed before New Mexico.

He waited until it was the absolutely safe before making his endorsement. Doesn't sound like a profile in courage to me.

[Bulbul]

The whole world has moved on and Hillary Clinton haters are still stagnant ! The country is in crisis but who cares.....­.everyting is the fault of those Clintons...

[dreffein]

Yep. It's amazing how the HRC supporters were called emotional, etc., and yet we turned out and helped to elect PE Obama. I'm excited that he won and believe he will make a good (and possibly great) president.

But the Clinton haters, like Christopher Hit chens....they are in a class by themselves. Would much rather complain about the Clintons than work together to try and save our country. True patriots - not.

[Freesia2]

For what it's worth - thank you for supporting him.

I was for Obama from the beginning, I took exception to some of Hillary's tactics in the primary it's true, but her supporters like yourself and in fact Hillary herself really showed up for the general election and I am so grateful to you. I have the President I've always wished for and you helped make that possible. Thank you. Sincerely.

[ElBruce]

Does this mean Obama has to give Kucinich a job now, too?

[realt123]

An excellent question! lol How about Chris Dodd too?

[Indy 44]

Should have been Secretary of State instead of that self-absorbed opportunis­t-hypocrit­e from Arkansas. Well hey, whatever advances her career, that's all that matters. When are we gonna stop washing the Clintons' feet?

Hope Richardson can make a vertical move or two once he gets in. Glad to see him there. Plus, the beard is very cool.

[Bulbul]

Oh why ?
John Kerry is available, is he not ? Then, why bypass a brilliant politician and chose a mediocre !

[WaspMan]

John who? Kerry? Sorry I don't recall that name...

Oh, you mean the guy who lost to Bush right in the middle of The Worst Presidential Term Ever? That John Kerry? The one who conceded without challenging the voter fraud in Ohio? The guy who should have won by 50, or 150 electoral votes?

Brilliant.

[MelRoy]

I like the face fuzz. I think it looks good on BR. Looks crappy on Brad Pitt, though.

[bice710]

Bill deserved Sec of State, not Hillary. Obama disappointed me thoroughly with that. So obviously payback. I really thought he was different, now I am not so sure. But Bill will be good at commerce, negotiating trade stuff, still a lot of foreign relations stuff that requires a heavy like Richardson.

[Martymar74]

You're right, I guess the Bildebergs, the Illuminatis,etc. would not allow it to happen, so Richardson got the SOC. So BO had to go with sneaky Hillary to keep the hidden global corporate agenda going. Same game, just different players.......I'm sick of Dems and Repubs

[canucklivinginUSA]

Man, I am sick of conspiracy theorists, different name, same idiotic comments

[serindipity803]

who are you?

[avicenna]

I think you would have been far more effective as Secretary of State as he is definitely more appealing to world leaders that America has to re-establish diplomatic ties with.

[dreffein]

And you know this how? What world leaders have you spoken to? Or, can you find a single fact to back up your opinion?

[Bulbul]

Ha....

[realt123]

I just noticed that your username "avicenna" is the same name of a great scholar. Nice!

[kellygrrrl]

I shall fire up a batch of Margaritas in your honor, Bill.

[soundfury]

Consolation prize. Better than nothing, I guess. He's been a Governor, Secy of Energy, Ambassador to the UN, has tons of experience but-sniper­-fire-over­-Bosnia-ju­nior-Senat­or from N.Y. Hillary gets first prize. Go figure? Loyalty means nothing these days.

[dreffein]

You're right. Bill Richardson is the poster boy for loyalty. LOL. Are you for real?

[ModeratePoliticalJunkie]

Commerce Dept. is just as if not more important than State Dept. given our current economic situation, so I am glad Bill Richardson got this role. He better look out for the American worker!!

[klondiker]

Thank goodness for that! I sure hope that President-elect Obama is not handing out cabinet positions based on loyalty and not competence.

As for loyalty? Please. Bill Richardson endorsed Obama towards the end of MARCH. By then, Obama had had his amazing streak of February wins, and it was looking mathematically impossible for Hillary to win. Not only that, but the New Mexico primary was already done (Hillary won that), so it's not like he helped Obama there too.

Hardly a profile in courage.

[SpringDoc]

...and the speech on race had nothing to do with his decision? Have you not read the reason for his endorsement of Barack. After that speech, I decided immediately for Barack to be our next prez.

[Quazga09]

How significant is secretary of commerce? Obama needs more latinos in his team. He has appointed a significant amount of african americans in high level positions. we need latinos represent equally

[kellygrrrl]

I don't care if he hires purple hermaphrodites -- just get the best and the brightest in there!

[1IrishdeAztlan]

"Purple Hermaphrodites." I'm stealin' that one.

[norwaylass]

The historic mission of the Department is "to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce" of the United States. This has evolved, as a result of legislative and administrative additions, to encompass broadly the responsibility to foster, serve, and promote the Nation's economic development and technological advancement. The Department fulfills this mission by:

a. Participating with other Government agencies in the creation of national policy, through the President's Cabinet and its subdivisions.

b. Promoting and assisting international trade.

c. Strengthening the international economic position of the United States.

d. Promoting progressive domestic business policies and growth.

e. Improving comprehension and uses of the physical environment and its oceanic life.

f. Ensuring effective use and growth of the Nation's scientific and technical resources.

g. Acquiring, analyzing, and disseminating information regarding the Nation and the economy to help achieve increased social and economic benefit.

h. Assisting states, communities, and individuals with economic progress.

[WaspMan]

He's making a cabinet, not a freaking layer cake. And all of them are Americans as far as I can tell...

[UltraClassic]

Bill, do us all a favor and get rid of that stupid face fuz.

[soundfury]

Why? Because you want it to be so? Live and let live.

[ofcoursejesusisblack]

I like his "face fuz"