Obama Pushes Back On Richardson Post As "Consolation Prize" To Latinos

Announcing Bill Richardson as Commerce Secretary today, Barack Obama was asked by a reporter whether the appointment was merely a consolation prize for the Latino community that supported his candidacy.

"Many were expecting or hoping that Bill Richardson was going to be Secretary of State," said the reporter, a Latino-American himself.

"Commerce Secretary is a pretty good job," said Obama. "It is a member of my key economic team that is going to be dealing with the most significant issue that America faces right now, which is how do we put Americans back to work to rejuvenate the economy. Bill Richardson was selected because he is the best person for that job and is going to be outstanding in helping me strategize on how we rebuild America."

"The notion that, somehow, the Commerce Secretary is not going to be central to everything we do, is fundamentally mistaken," Obama added. "With respect to Latino Cabinet members, I have appointed half of my Cabinet so far. And when people look back and see the entire slate, what they will say is, not only in terms of my Cabinet but in terms of my White House staff, people are going to say, 'this is one of the most diverse Cabinets and White House staffs of all time. More importantly, they are going to say these are people of outstanding qualifications and excellence."

This is one of those tricky issues that every incoming president must face. Does every constituent group who voted in droves for Obama deserve a proper representation in his Cabinet? Or is the president allowed to appoint individuals based on his own set of standards?

To a large extent, Obama has managed to walk the tightrope, tapping minorities and female officials for many of high-profile positions: Secretary of State, Homeland Security, UN Ambassador, and Attorney General (not to mention White House Communications Director and Political Director).

But in a strictly political sense, appeasing the Latino community is a far more delicate proposition for the president-elect. Latinos are the fastest growing voting constituency in the United States -- and the change in their political preferences from 2004 to 2008 was, to put it mildly, remarkable. The Republican Party -- as Karl Rove argued at a forum in New York Tuesday night -- is essentially doomed if they can't get more support from "brown" voters. Democrats could put a stranglehold on the White House if they effectively bring Latinos into the fold.

Symbolic gestures like Cabinet appoints do matter in this effort, and certainly Obama's people know that. At the same time, the president-elect seems committed to getting the best and the brightest on his staff -- gender, skin color, or ethnic heritage be damned. In the end, Obama argued, the the two shouldn't be mutually exclusive.

"There is no contradiction between diversity and excellence," he said. "I'm looking, first and foremost, for the best people to serve the American people. It just so happens that Bill Richardson is one of those people."

Comments

[nddaveman]

Louis Caldera, who was appointed director of the the military office in the Obama White House, was on the Board of Directors for IndyMac, the mortgage bank that failed over the summer and was seized by the government.

In my humble opinion, that alone should disqualify him for a spot in the administration. Why award somebody who was asleep at the wheel and in part led to the housing crisis!?

[schicklett3]

These silly minded reporters are indeed trying thier best to create controversy, and are failing miserably.
Campbell Brown is a good example in her CNN "news show" - she's trying her best to spark controversy and talking points against Obama...and she too is failing miserably. She is downright laughable!
Anyway, the reporters are making fools of themselves, and I find it funny.

[jigisup]

Does anyone else feel that the reporters are still trying to create the news instead of report the news. Who other than the reporters and specific bloggers believe this is a "consolation prize". It just seems to me an absurd question.

[BarackDaVote]

Are they serious? Secretary of Commerce a consolation prize.....thats the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

Bill seems like a bright individual but come on now appointing him as Secretary Of State would have been a LOL moment. Barack appointed him to the perfect position. And no other president in history has ever had such a diverse cainet as Barack is putting together.

[Chadney]

Why would Richardson as SOS make you laugh? He is more qualified than Clinton. He is an experienced diplomat, nominated for 3 Nobel Peace Prizes.
Look, I think Clinton will do a fine job as SOS. The Clintons' are well liked around the world, and Clinton is an incredibly bright and able woman. But of all of the appointments so far, this one seems the most political. There are several more qualified people close to Obama. Richardson is one. Susan Rice (newly appointed ambassador to the UN) is another. Her name may not be as well known, but she is an incredibly smart foreign policy expert, and would have been a natural and terrific choice for the position.

[swfsenior]

Just because a position isn't out in front or in your face doesn't make it any less important. Commerce, as so many others have pointed out, is a critical position. Bill will be excellent for this. I only wish he'd grow the beard back.

[harriscrl3]

You know what's ironic many see Commerce as consolation Prize and even that reporter said the Latino community sees it that way too. Here's the irony as Commerce Secretary is in a better position to actually Impact the Latino Community than if he was say SOS. It gets back to the issue do you want to see a Latino in a top position if it only benefits him as far as his group or do you want to see Latino in a top position that benefits the Latino community. It the latter is your answer then Bill is in the BEST position and I suspect thats partly why Obama chose him. Creating jobs, impacting small businesses the census these are all important issues to the Latino community.

Carol

[Pleneras]

Well the reporter was incorrect. Americans of hispanic decent come from different nations or ancestors came from different nations. Those who are naturalized have different values between each other because they are from different nationalities. Those who are natural born also have a different set of values based on what part of the country they live in. I don't recall telling the reporter he can speak on my behalf. I'm still wondering the heritage of this reporter so I can figure out how he came up with this assumption and passed if off as a fact.

[devoto]

Richardson, while initially underemployed, is well-placed. Recent history is littered with first-term Secretaries of State who resign in frustration (Rogers, Vance, Powell). Second-term Secretaries of State end up faring far better (Kissinger, Rice, etc.). And Richardson has now earned a clear claim on the position of Secretary of State should Hillary not serve beyond 2012. He's a team player, remains in the game, meanwhile, with a strong portfolio on trade issues and likely to be called upon for negotiating skills....

[wingsabre]

People are a little fixated that this pick was a consolidation pick, but remember Bill Richardson is a very skilled negotiator. He's going to renegotiate NAFTA. The media's distracted with the whole Clinton drama that they haven't really thought about what Richardson will do. If they did, they would realize that NAFTA would be his job.

[stpintodalite]

I for one thought that Richardson would have been an outstanding Secretary of State and was disappointed that Obama nominated Clinton. However I did some research about what the Commerce Department is supposed to do:

It coordinates economic policies between the United States and foreign nations, negotiates international trade agreements, promotes increased U.S. participation in foreign markets, and provides the American business community with information on foreign markets. It also offers loans and technical assistance to minority-owned businesses in the United States; promotes development in economically depressed areas of the nation; subsidizes the U.S. merchant marine; explores the oceans and atmosphere; compiles weather reports; gathers and publishes statistical data, including the national census; and issues patents.

Major divisions of the department include the International Trade Administration, the Economic Development Administration, and the Bureau of Industry and Security. The department also operates the Economics and Statistics Administration (which includes the Bureau of the Census), the Patent and Trademark Office, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly the National Bureau of Standards), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the National Technical Information Service.

Richardson will have the opportunity reshape American economic policy that will impact most facets of American life and government. I'm not seeing this as leftovers. If the Commerce Department gets the support and emphasis it needs, then Bill Richardson will be very successful.

[Ron1951]

If Bill Richardson takes advantage of his contacts around the world, he could take over where Ron Brown was going during the Clinton administration and really make this a very important position. It takes republicans, apparently, to ignore the value of a strong Commerce department. This office can be used for helping to expand America's exports while reviewing our imports. Richardson could negotiate with China on the value of their currency, for example.

Bill Richardson is not a shrinking violet nor a lazy person. He will make this department a key in our economic recovery. And this is how this Department should be.

[harriscrl3]

After hearing Obama discuss what a commerce secretary does and to be honest I wasnt sure but when I heard him discuss it I was like Wow thats perfect for Richardson. Obama knows talents and strengths and he knows how to match them in the right positions.

BTW for those who were wonderng what the heck is Biden going to do I was watching today and he and Janet were getting briefings as far as this biological terror threat. WHo would have thunk it Obama found a spot for him I mean I wasnt sure for a moment there since we had so little problems that need fixing and Obama deosnt value work ethic I thought he was going to be twiddling his thumbs around Washington.

Remember when Obama said we dont need bigger government or smaller government we need better goverment and smarter goverment. As I'm looking at this transition his cabinet picks and meeting with the governors. Its like Obama is taking goverment bureaurcracy by the horn and getting it to work from all areas. He is even has a team based outside washington to make sure he doesnt get Washingtonitist. As somoene who studies Max Weber and the advent of bureaucracy. I'm in awe of Obama and what he is doing. This could not just reshape our goverment but it could have impact on the study of institutions for a long time to come.

Carol

[Barbara2423]

This is a great job for Bill Richardson, yes, I thought he would make a great SOS. If you look at the employment and issues with energy Richardson is certainly the best qualified person for the job. He has experience as an Ambassador and Energy Secretary. Richardson will have his hands full with this job and will make is more important than SOS. Just wait you will see.

[realtalkingnow]

You know I am really, really getting sick of this crap! People in this country of all colors should just be happy that they got a president who actually cares about their lives, and will be working his hardest to try to make things better for ALL of us, namely the middle class people in this country.
I am so sick and tired of groups complaining and whining about this appointment Richardson got, he is lucky he got one at all. All the cabinet picks he made so far are ALL lucky they got their jobs, there are others who could, and would willingly take their places. AND I also do not remember Bush, or Bill Clinton, or any other president being criticized for what his cabinet members looked like on the outside. I really thought that with this election, the idea was for us to all try to get past all this color of skin garbage, and instead simply hire the person who is best pick for the job, regardless of their color.

[DofG]

We must always remember that when it comes to the "First Black" in any high profile situation, they are generally exceptional individuals, facing exceptional circumstances, and expected to operate by an exceptional standard. And this expectation, fair, or unfair, has been consistent throughout American history. The man hasn't took the oath of office, and people of all stripes, are already questioning the minutiae his every move. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to groups, and individuals alike, being insatiably concern about "what's in it for me, or us", heaping all the failures, neglect, and hopes of the past on a single individual with a title, when "WE" are the government!

If we are going to truly understand where Obama is going with "this", we can never forget the past; but just importantly, we cannot be slaves to the past either; for though the past is always with us, the universe, as phenomena, is always becoming! He's stated repeatedly that we are not going to agree with all of his decisions, and that he will make mistakes, but he will listen to our voices. But, if we are going to get to that "place" we need to get to as a nation, it's time for us to listen to a voice that speaks differently to all, yet it is the "Same Voice"!

[blue42]

did anybody stop to think that maybe gov richardson wanted a job that kept him closer to home instead of sos that takes you out of the counrty. and beside we need the best and the brightest here at home not abroad talking to dictators, reme ber gov richardson already had a job that took him far from home under the clintons.

[Pleneras]

Nawww I think Bill really wanted the position. He doesn't have little ones at home. It would have been perfect for him, but I think Obama is helping Bill build a bigger resume that cannot be argued for a possible future shot at the Presidency. Hopefully Bill will do something unprecedented as Commerce Secretary which will reboot this economy and increase his public support.

[Havnagudtim]

All this hubbub, he's best she's best - PE Obama is a canny player. I think in a globally-linked USA the roles of State and Commerce run very closely and have considerable overlap in function. PE Obama is assembling a team, who can act in concert and actually achieve great things. Need we restrict ourselves to one very talented high-level Cabinet member? This notion of teamwork may take a little getting used to. Both Gov Richards and Sen Clinton are terrific assets to the new administration, as are the rest of PE Obama's Cabinet nominees, and I look forward to seeing the working together of many keen intellects.
Onwards and upwards!

[Harrygton]

All predictions are for worsening economic times in the years to come, I bet that Obama offered the SEC job to Hillary and she turned it down knowing full well that it was going to be a thankless job! Richardson is the most qualified person in the USA for Secretary of State... but Obama was put on a checkmate position by the Clinton leaks! She's bad news, people... but I guess it's better that she's plotting for AIPAC rather than against Obama!

[canucklivinginUSA]

SEC? Really, he offered her the Securities Commission job? I didn't know that.

[RTIII]

The SOS job requires a chess-master - a schemer, someone who knows how plotting goes, how to manipulate people (into treaties, for example), etc. That's Hillary, not Bill. Obama made a great choice on both counts.
.

[Pleneras]

She also makes bad judgments.