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Money | 11/24/2008 9:40 am

Bill Richardson Set to Be Commerce Secretary, Say Sources

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© AP

We would love to be a fly on the wall during the first meeting of President-elect Obama’s potential Cabinet!

In addition to getting the inside scoop on policy and national directives, it would intriguing to see how things pan out between Hillary Clinton, who has been tapped as our next secretary of state, and Bill Richardson. Multiple news outlets and sources are reporting today that Obama has chosen Richardson as the next commerce secretary. Though many thought the well-traveled, former Clinton energy leader Richardson would be picked as secretary of state, his tenure as governor of New Mexico proves he is prepared for the job, especially in terms of bridging the private and public sphere.

[Richardson’s] record suggests that Commerce could push for a much bolder role in supporting such strategic industries as renewable energies, nanotech and green vehicles by investing alongside corporations and universities.

Richardson is one of the nation’s most aggressive proponents of public-private economic partnership. After he became New Mexico’s governor in 2003, he launched one of the most rule-bending development programs in the U.S., toppling old barriers between the private and public sectors.

Richardson also has intimate knowledge of our nation’s energy institutions — he once worked as President Bill Clinton’s energy secretary, as well as an ambassador to the United Nations, which brings us back to Hillary Clinton. Though his own candidacy precluded him from endorsing his old friend Hillary early in the Democratic presidential primary, Richardson turned heads — and raised ire — after he dropped out and backed Barack Obama, who was at the time fighting Hillary for the nomination.

Insiders everywhere spoke of how Hillary and Bill would forever hold the "betrayal" against Richardson. Richardson said at the time, in March, 2008, he wouldn’t get involved in the back and forth, but that didn’t stop him from taking a dig at the former First Lady and her followers: "I’m not going to get in the gutter like that. And you know, that’s typical of many of the people around Sen. Clinton. They think they have a sense of entitlement to the presidency." Things thawed a bit in August, when Richardson hosted two fund-raisers to help Mrs. Clinton pay back some of her campaign debt, but many suggested that he was there "in name, not spirit," simply because Obama asked his supporters to help the senator.

Hopefully Richardson and Clinton will be able to put their past behind them and work together. If not, Richardson can always buddy up with potential Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, a governor from Arizona, which neighbors Richardson’s own New Mexico.

3 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Belinda Joy
I knew Barack would appoint him to “a” cabinet job, it was just a matter of which one. He did such an outstanding job in mobilizing his state and the Latino vote as a whole, how could he not reward his efforts in some way? Congrats to Gov. Richardson, I know he’ll be great in this role.
By Belinda Joy on 11/24/2008 9:58 am
immoddesta godessa
Mr Richardson as Gov. has set in motion a renewal of rail systems across and around NM whichwill soon prove to be very progressive considering the looming oil crisis. Some one please refer to PRESIDENT Carters clear warning of the end of the oil economy. and the efforts he made to invest in alt energy. If you think “Twilight” is interesting you should probably read what James Kunstler reveals about the future of this consumptive economy we’ve bathed in for 50 years. Check out Jim’s blog at “CLUSTERFUCK NATION” some of the realities are worth considering before this bail out myth deludes you into thinking all will be simple and pleasant on Main or Wall streets. Richardson knows very well that Nuclear solutions are risky at best and that the real truth is that simplification and LOCAL is the future. Get used to growing your own bananas. or at least your own tomatoes. Oil is over guys! Hyper inflation looms, and perhaps a quick course in chinese will prepare us for a “NEW AMERICAN CENTURY” peace and joy
By immoddesta godessa on 11/24/2008 11:10 am
Ms. Dee
Stay out of the sky. Learn to do business with you neighbors.
By Ms. Dee on 11/24/2008 1:52 pm