Obama names Gov. Richardson to head Commerce

CHICAGO — President-elect Barack Obama selected New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as his commerce secretary Wednesday, naming a prominent Hispanic to his new Cabinet and calling him a leading "economic diplomat for America" in troubled times.

Richardson's nomination brings to three the number of former campaign rivals Obama has welcomed to his team. Joe Biden is the vice president-elect, and Hillary Rodham Clinton will be the next secretary of state, pending confirmation by the Senate.

At a Chicago news conference, Obama praised Richardson's long resume. He served as United Nations ambassador and energy secretary during the Clinton administration, and he is in his second term as New Mexico's governor. He also served seven terms in the House of Representatives.

"During his time in state government and Congress, and in two tours of duty in the Cabinet, Bill has seen, from just about every angle, what makes our economy work and what keeps it from working better," Obama said.

The president-elect seemed in a lighthearted mood as he made the announcement.

Asked about Richardson's recent decision to shave his beard, Obama joked that he was "deeply disappointed." He guessed that Richardson decided to jettison the facial hair after his wife found it scratchy.

Obama turned serious when talking about the economy, pointing to news that the country has been in recession for a year and that manufacturing production is at a 26-year low. Said Obama: "With each passing day, the work our team has begun, developing plans to revive our economy, becomes more urgent."

Despite the crisis, he struck an optimistic tone, saying: "I am more confident than ever that we have everything we need to renew our economy. We've got the ingenuity, the technology, the skill and commitment, we just need to put it to work."

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Richardson pledged _ in English and Spanish _ to work to renew the economy when he is confirmed by the Senate to take over the sprawling department that oversees the National Weather Service, the Census Bureau, economic development programs and more.

His appointment adds more demographic diversity to a Cabinet that already includes several women and blacks. Richardson is the first Hispanic named to Obama's Cabinet.

Obama is considering another Hispanic politician, California Democratic Rep. Xavier Becerra, to be U.S. Trade Representative, according to two Democratic officials speaking on a condition of anonymity ahead of an announcement for the position.

New Mexico's Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, a Democrat, will become the state's first female governor when Richardson leaves to assume his new post. Denish will take over for the remainder of Richardson's term, which runs through 2010.

In neighboring Arizona, Obama's selection of Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano to serve as secretary of Homeland Security will put the state in the hands of a Republican governor.

Under Arizona law, Secretary of State Jan Brewer, a Republican, will take over from Napolitano.

The president-elect is moving quickly to fill his Cabinet, having identified choices for more than half the positions since he was elected the country's 44th president.

As a former energy secretary and U.N. ambassador, Richardson had been a contender for the job of Secretary of State, which ultimately went to Clinton.

Among those Cabinet posts yet to be disclosed if not chosen: the heads of the Interior, Transportation, Labor, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs departments. Obama also has yet to name his intelligence team, including his director of national intelligence and CIA chief.

Lisa Jackson, the former commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, has emerged as the front-runner to head up the Environmental Protection Agency, according to two Democrats familiar with the transition who requested anonymity because the deliberations are supposed to be private.

Jackson is a chemical engineer who currently co-leads Obama's EPA transition team. Before joining state government in 2002, she spent 16 years at the EPA in Washington and New York.

Jackson would be the first African-American to be the agency's administrator.

Comments

[shaaronie]

I really like Bill Richardson. I must admit, that I had never heard about him until the democratic debates. He came across as knowledgeable, sincere and caring. I would have readily voted for him if he had became the nominee. Excellent choice!

[ezwizzard]

The Commerce Dept. mission is "to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce." Obama has promised the creation of a "Green Economy" that will require greater development of renewable energy, energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction technologies. I can think of no better person to spearhead this new commerce effort than a former Energy Secretary - Bill Richardson.

This country has so many crisis problems in so many areas that every cabinet position in Obama's administration will be critically important and engaged.

If Richardson believed that he was a token appointment taking responsibility for a do-nothing office, he never would have accepted the post. This is not like politically rewarded appointments during the Bush years. Real change is about to happen!

[movecenter]

Thank you for your comments. I wish more people would focus on what a great fit Richardson's Energy experience is for the Commerce job at this time. Another great cabinet pick.

[Free2Speak]

Who are these low information voters that keep saying they thought Richardson would be Secretary of State.Hillary had 18 million voters.The The Hispanics voters in that number voted for Hillary and did not come to Obama until faced with McCain/Palin. So the idea that Hispanics and some GOP expected Richardson to be S of S after Biden was chosen VP and Hillary made 70 fall election stumps for Obama is ridiculous.The support by Hispanic for Obama may be a mile wide but only a inch deep.

[dubster]

Clearly, you don't know what you're talking about. The reason, Obama is president-elect is because of Hispanics who voted overwhelmingly for him; a demographic that had been courted heavily and successfully in the previous two presidential elections. And it just happens that Senator McCain has warm, friendly, and respectful relations with Hispanics. The reason they didn't vote republican was because of its brand and the rancor that was coming about due to the immigration debate.

With respect to your ludicrous so called "18 million voters" analysis, lets get one thing clear; a grand majority of those voters were women - identity politics - voters. Thus, it's in their interest to vote not just for Obama, but for the Democratic party because it's in their best interest as women to due so. So those 18 million women voters would have gone to him anyway, even if Clinton were not in the running because that's what a majority of women do i.e. vote democratic.

But with the Hispanic vote it's more up for grabs given how some of the older generations of Hispanics are traditionally conservative on social, fiscal, and potentially foreign policy. This is not a demographic to eschew or scoff at since it's going to be the tipping point as to who wins elections from now on. Who won the Hispanic vote is what's crucial given it's precipitous rise in the population.

[Free2Speak]

Obama had 18 million voters also,if you add Michigan and Florida Hillary total about 20 million voters during the primary.You better lay off the pipe if you think all those were women.Obama only won New Jersey with the Hispanic vote.Again McCain/Palin,especially Palin scared the socks off the Hispanics.McCain had backed off his own immigration plan and Palin favored a wall on the border.So after the conventions Hispanics jumped on the Obama bandwagon.

[ella52]

I think Richardson is perfect for this job, oversee such a wide range of areas from National Weather Service, to trade and economic development! Wow! He is smart and hopefully will be a part of the team that brings sanity back to government. I don't expect goverment or politicians to be perfect... I expect it to be at the minimum sane. Not so with W.

[Giada]

Richardson has dedication and passion for the position ...what a great way to start!

Unity and diversity ... the hallmark of this administration.

[SENATORCALLENBOWE]

AND WELL KEEP BRINGING THE CLASS OF THE NEW GENERATION EVERYDAY :) HOW DO YOU FEEL?

[darthdarcy]

I really like Bill Richardson, and it's a shame and our nations loss that he will not be our Secretary of State..!

I believe we will learn someday that Hillary taking the Secretary of State post is in part her way to making Richardson paying for his choosing to support Obama in the primary, and that when she realized she would not be the nominee she decided to cut Richardson off at the knees, and make her being Secretary of State as a part of her bargain with Obama for her active support for him as well as Bill's in the election...

[blastit]

I think the DNC set it up for Hillary to become SOS after the nomination, as payment for her not boohooing, she bullied her way in I really think Obama's personal choice for the position was Bill Richardson, he knows what went down with the Clinton's

[8isEnoughPeriod]

So true!

[JoeBear55]

Congratulations Bill Richardson, I was hoping you'd get a post on the Obama team, Oh by the way grow back the beard.

[noamjunior]

richardson is a smart, competent guy, but football tackling dummy would be a step up from anyone Bush appointed

[Khrish]

I'm so excited! happy days are here again! America becomes a great country again. No more people beating you in the head with the bible and being labeled unpatriotic just because you have an opinion that does not agree with the Administration.. People can become polite again and we can leave those morals and values that aren't either in the DEEP SOUTH. Every now and then I just have to da a little happy dance. We are free from the conservative republicans.

[lizziekw]

*sigh* Well, I'm not thrilled but it's personal - his loyalty can't be relied upon. It's aggravating, because I used to really, really like Secretary of Commerce-designate Richardson. I was always happy to see him show up on the talking heads shows. He was one of my favorite appointees in the Clinton administrations.

However, calling him a presidential rival is a bit much. He was never running for President, he was always running for Vice President. Obviously, that didn't work out.

Also, where's the beard? The beard works for him.

[japobere]

What happened to the beard?!

[IDIOTA]

Bill helped to deliver the Latino vote and an electoral buffer for Obama that was not needed in the end but which expands the Democratic base. As Commerce Secretary, if it is true that he will oversee the census, then he is set to act in ways that will solidify the new expansion, i.e., the Latino base in the West. I suppose that the Commerce Sec'y may be involved in immigration issues to some degree. Yeah -- this sounds like a smart move, one aimed to reward Richardson and maximize his talents. Bill Richardson is conciliatory and affable but tough -- and formidable-looking. I thought he was short until I saw the debates. Because of his work in the Clinton Administration, the world already knows him. Obama is taking heat for choosing former Clinton appointees, but he is sending a message to the world that known quantities such as Clinton and Richardson augur stability in the United States, something the global economy needs right now.

[harriscrl3]

Reporters can ask the dumbest question sometimes. One guy ask if this was a consolation prize for Richardson wtf do they think this is not an important cabinet that SOS is the only important cabinet. Arent you also responsible for trade as a commerce secretary and isnt trade working with other countries. Furthermore they all have essentially the same job to IMPLEMENT Obama's policies. The only cabinet post with indepdence is the Justice Department.

Some of these reporters are just so annoying

Carol

[siney]

agreed...they're clueless...under O's administration, no cabinet post will be too small or too large -- every last one will be essential to our progress and treated accordingly...