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President-elect Barack Obama has chosen New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be commerce secretary, adding a prominent Hispanic and one-time Democratic rival to his expanding Cabinet.
Obama planned to announce the nomination after Thanksgiving, according to a Democratic official familiar with the discussions. The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations and did so on condition of anonymity.
Richardson, 61, had a distinguished and visible career in Washington before returning to New Mexico, where he was elected governor in 2002. Richardson served as U.N. ambassador under President Bill Clinton and later as energy secretary. He was in the House from 1983 to 1997.
Clinton sent Richardson on several high-level diplomatic missions while he was in Congress, including direct talks with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
In Richardson, Obama will get a secretary of commerce who has been described as relentless and competitive, with a jocular sense of humor.
Richardson is a seasoned international negotiator who mediated with North Korea over the downing of two U.S. Army helicopter pilots; hammered out a deal with Saddam Hussein for the release of two U.S. oil workers; won the release of three Red Cross workers held captive by Sudanese rebels; and was later sought out by the North Koreans to discuss nuclear issues.
His success, said David Goldwyn, national security deputy at the United Nations in the late 1990s, stems from the many different facets of his personality — whether it's the athlete (he bonded with Fidel Castro over baseball), the tireless adversary (he spent four hours at the table trying to persuade President Laurent Kabila to let a U.N. team investigate massacres in Congo) or the regular guy.
"Richardson is all about crashing through boundaries," Goldwyn said in 2007. "He says hello to the security guy, and if he's Hispanic he'll say something in Spanish. If he's African-American, he might call him `his brother.'
"People think it's undisciplined and so they think he's undisciplined, and that is a mistake. ... His personality gets him in the door. From there, he's got to deliver the message, he's got to be persuasive, and he's got to secure the objective. That's where the other part of his personality comes in: his relentlessness."
Richardson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination but dropped out in January after a poor showing in early contests. He went on to endorse Obama at the height of the Illinois senator's primary contest with Hillary Rodham Clinton, angering many Clinton's supporters who viewed the endorsement as a disloyal snub.
Obama considered Richardson to be secretary of state and brought him to Chicago to discuss the job. The president-elect is on track to name Hillary Rodham Clinton to the top diplomatic post and was expected to announce the pick after Thanksgiving.
Obama was set to name New York Federal Reserve Bank president Timothy Geithner as his treasury secretary on Monday, in his first official Cabinet announcement. Obama also planned to name Lawrence Summers to lead the National Economic Council.
Several other candidates for Cabinet posts have emerged in recent days.
Obama's choice for attorney general is Eric Holder, who held the No. 2 slot in the Justice Department under Bill Clinton. The president-elect's aides have also encouraged speculation that Defense Secretary Robert Gates would remain in office for an interim period.
Other selections include former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota as secretary of health and human services and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, likely to be named as homeland security secretary.
Additionally, retired Gen. James Jones, a former Marine Corps commandant and NATO commander, appeared to be the top contender to be national security adviser.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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 | Geithner likely treasury pick; Clinton 'On track' | Yahoo! News | Sat Nov 22 | 0 |
| Sources: Richardson a 'serious contender' for Commerce job | CNN | Fri Nov 21 | 0 |
| Geithner Said to Be Chosen for Treasury Secretary | The New York Times | Fri Nov 21 | 0 |
 | Dems: Napolitano emerges for Homeland Security job | Associated Press | Thu Nov 20 | 49 |
| Geithner would bring Treasury experience to job | Associated Press | Fri Nov 21 | 0 |
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{"commentId":4149880,"authorDomain":"jibade7"}
Stop it... seriously? They are just torturing us making us wait so long.
I think she would do a great job as Secretary of State.
{"commentId":4149880,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"jibade7"}
- 3 votes
#1 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:49 AM EST{"commentId":4149950,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}
<blockquote>I think she would do a great job as Secretary of State.</blockquote>I
The old Biotech Brigade lining up to follow the collapse of the banks with failing, global farms. So much for bringing change to Washington.
{"commentId":4149950,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4150145,"authorDomain":"luckybaby2469"}
I'd love to see Chuck Hagel in there too,I read of story of his a while back of how he felt appreciated,respected by Obama when they were in Iraq.His article was very interesting because he's War Veteran,stuck up against his own party and lost respect from them cause what he believed in from right and wrong.
I hear the criticism of Obama,Hill and so on of his Cabinet and I think he's making great choices and so what most of them are from Clinton age.Most of them worked on his campaign and gotta give props to Hill,for stumping for him to make him our new POTUS.She didn't have to and she did,she didn't put herself first,she put her Country first.
Remember the GOP was laughing at the Dems because they thought they would fall apart and divide-eh wrong,the GOP did and lost the race,and respect from people.Now they have no clue how to rebuild the GOP.Here's a clue stop being stubborn SOBS and work for America and work with the Dems to put our Country back on top.Obama is willing to cross that line and make things work,but he's not even in office yet and people are howling like wolves.
Now,Turkey Day is coming and I wish you all a safe,peaceful and lots of love for you,family and friends.Times are hard yes but lets all try to make the best of it including helping those in need today.
{"commentId":4150145,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"luckybaby2469"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4150047,"authorDomain":"cook5656"}
Change doesn't necessarily mean building a coalition of outsiders. If Obama were to nominate a cabinet full of Washington outsiders, do you really believe he could accomplish as much as he could with experienced people? This is going along exactly as I expected. Obama is smart, and wants to get things done.
If this were McCain, whom also tried to run on a change platform, since he couldn't come up with anything original, and he were hiring people for cabinet posts whom were also Washington insiders, would you still be criticizing? The only change I can see McCain bringing would have been a VP choice whom we know going in has no scruples. We wouldn't have to wait to find out what kind of character the VP had, or didn't have.
{"commentId":4150047,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"cook5656"}
- 4 votes
#2 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:17 AM EST{"commentId":4150210,"authorDomain":"luckybaby2469"}
Hear-hear including my hearing aids,I second that or agree with what you're saying,lol..
{"commentId":4150210,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"luckybaby2469"}
{"commentId":4150115,"authorDomain":"cmassey"}
I think she would be great too. I'm so excited about it.
{"commentId":4150115,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"cmassey"}
- 4 votes
#3 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:30 AM EST{"commentId":4150247,"authorDomain":"CLERGY"}
Listen, President-elect Obama is putting together a powerful team as it's leader for America.
I expound 'leader' to add commander & Chief; President Oboma on the 20th of Jan already having top cabinet members. Knowing it will be hard, but President Obama as President-Elect Obama rather than being at a resort, plans for that day now.
Did he not say "we need to change the way ... change the way we talk. He did starting with the D.N.C during primarys on his victory night saying: "...this is your awnser... we will get there America." A world saw; respect for America reborn (Presidential election)
So America honor his choice
{"commentId":4150247,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"CLERGY"}
- 5 votes
#4 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:01 AM EST{"commentId":4150263,"authorDomain":"usaskooter"}
I was looking forward to President Elect Obama to demonstrate his confidence in his own conviction of making "change happen" by not hiring on so many of the clinton goons and clinton herself. Thought we were going to get rid of that eight years of bs and get a new refreshing, healthy strong democratic energy in the White House, with more integrity. Guess not. Seems Obama is bending over to get those clintons in no matter whats in their closet this time.
{"commentId":4150263,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"usaskooter"}
- 1 vote
#5 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:06 AM EST{"commentId":4153238,"authorDomain":"brinnybrat84"}
He is not bending over to put the clintons and clintonites back in there. He is just being smart no matter what bull crap the former president did HE WAS GOOD. Bush screwed it up. He also can bring about change an adminstration that has experience isn't a bad thought u know. Also to ur comment that we didn't want her. Well got news for ya if michigan and florida would have been done right. We would be celebrating president-elect hillary ,and then people would expect her to put obama in the cabinet. Its not race this country has a problem with its 2 things. 1 people r ignorant 2 gender played a bigger role than race ever did!
{"commentId":4153238,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"brinnybrat84"}
{"commentId":4150273,"authorDomain":"usaskooter"}
Words can be made to sound poetic enough but the consequences of their actions is what we end up with. Not looking any better then if we had voted the clintons back into office. Thought the American people didn't want that. Thought President Elect Obama knew that!
{"commentId":4150273,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"usaskooter"}
- 2 votes
#6 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:08 AM EST{"commentId":4155560,"authorDomain":"tishamauro"}
You are right! I couldn't be happier! It's almost like Hillary did win! Go Hillary!
At least Obama is smart enough to know that he would get his A$$ kicked all over Washington without putting a lot of the Clinton administration is his administration.
{"commentId":4155560,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"tishamauro"}
{"commentId":4150307,"authorDomain":"usaskooter"}
Honor is something you earn, just like respect. When you make promises then your actions do not reflect those promises then you lose my respect and I will not honor your decisions. When are Americans going to figure it out that these guys are in it for their own self preservation. They are all for one and one for all but that doesn't include everyone, just the politicians. Its their own little club. Will never get what we want until we take back our governement. Not as Democrats or Republicans but as Americans!
{"commentId":4150307,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"usaskooter"}
- 2 votes
#7 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:18 AM EST{"commentId":4150507,"authorDomain":"iamsdr"}
When did he promise to put amateurs in Cabinet?
{"commentId":4150507,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"iamsdr"}
- 2 votes
#8 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:48 AM EST{"commentId":4184655,"authorDomain":"cook5656"}
Yeah, what he said.
And:
When you make promises then your actions do not reflect those promises then you lose my respect and I will not honor your decisions.
You sound as though you had no honor or respect for Obama going into this thing. Or did you used to be a big Obama supporter, and now that he has made some of his cabinet choices you are ditching him? I think not. You just saw this thread as an opportunity to slam Obama before he even gets sworn into office. You would criticize anything he did, because you didn't support him in the first place.
At least Obama has chosen experienced people to help make changes in America. Unlike McCain, whom was willing to put the country at risk if he died by selecting the least qualified woman he could find as a running mate.
McCain ran around shouting "Country First." HIS promise was to make decisions which were best for the country, rather than what was best politically to get him elected. Selecting Palin was just plain stupid, since he wanted the Hillary vote. Unfortunately for McCain, he underestimated the intellect of a rather large number of Hillary supporters, whom all recognized fairly quickly that Palin wasn't comparable to Hillary in any way. He should have chosen an experienced, intelligent woman if he wanted the Hill vote. NOT a pretty stupid one.
Pun intended.
{"commentId":4184655,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"cook5656"}
{"commentId":4153089,"authorDomain":"brinnybrat84"}
Wether she chooses to daty in the senate or take the sect. of state job, she is going to be wonderful. As historic has Obama's win was, you have to remeber she did something historic has well she was the first woman ever that was considerably close to gettingthe nom. If florida and Michigan had played differently. we could be having totally different conversation today. She is intelligent, she is also one of the reason so many of our children have health coverage. She is an awesome woman, that has done things to truly help people. I think we all need to give her credit where its due. Obama is right the pros definetly outweigh the cons, or the senate being smart and offering her to be the head person onthe platform which is so dear to her heart, her passion, which is one that needs serious fixing. There is something to be said about socialized medicine. I mean there is a reason european people live longer. Also the world loves her, and i think it would be better to be loved than hated like bush(the worst president ever), they love her and obama. Plus we might regain some status back in the world. Not the kind we have now, where other countries r afraid president dip@!$%# is going to start war. why don't he go to the places we need to like pakistan where osama has been sitting there laughing because we can't go there. Its a disgrace. We destroyed iraq, and killed innocent people that couldn't leave. So why should pakistan be any different. Not one person out there can't tell me any different. So my orignal point. Lets get on with it and nominate her already and let her choose her path, which one day I hope it end has her being president of the usa. I respect , admire,and idolize her. You could pick someone way worse to be your role model.
{"commentId":4153089,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"brinnybrat84"}
#9 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:33 AM EST{"commentId":4156402,"authorDomain":"wainiha3"}
Auwe, the foolish things we do when we make "political decisions". It seems so reasonable when looking at the future. We can convince ourselves of the great benefits of the deal.
However, looking at the actions of the Clintons in the past campaign and beyond. Where is the integrity, honor, and even Hillary's experience. We all saw the bitterness and lack of truth in the Clinton win at any cost politics. Why do you think she will change.
Oh you say she will be a team player. I say she will be a team player. The Clinton Team.
{"commentId":4156402,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"wainiha3"}
#10 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:58 PM EST{"commentId":4157341,"authorDomain":"lpwillham"}
Its ironic watching the way Obama supporters "rationalize" Obama creating a Bill Clinton version 2.0 Cabinet and staff.
I remember Obama reffering to the Clintons as 'the past" during the primary. No surprise to me that "Change" and "No Washington Politics as Usual" were just 'smoke and mirrors fed to a gullible public and its 'blast to the past' in hiring!
Obama is smart, he knows with the economy in dire straights that his approval rating may well be in the tank in a year, 2010 Congressional elections coming up, Dow at 5000 (or less) and unemployment as 10-12 percent. Biden should be ready to 'retire" (Maybe health reasons), and Obama can appoint Clinton as VP and shore up sagging approval rating.
Personally I wish Clinton wouldn't take the offer, but she can do well as Secretary of State and if the Obama administration implodes,We will pretty much know in 12 months, she can "resign" saying she couldnt support the "failed policy" of Obama. Or as many may be calling him "one term wonder"!
Yeah I see Clinton as president in 2012!
{"commentId":4157341,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"lpwillham"}
- 1 vote
#11 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:53 PM EST{"commentId":4168780,"authorDomain":"jcurtis3"}
I think Obama will be running again in 2012 and Hilary will prove once and for all that she is smart, savvy and can be her own woman. Just because she married/stayed married to a indiscriminate womanizer does not mean that she is less of a person. A lot of our former leaders have had sexual partners on the side (not so discreetly, I may say) and have gone down in history for their expertise, not their exploits in the bedroom. I do not excuse any of them but they will have to answer for their sins eventually! No matter, Clinton led us through some very good years which have been totally decimated under the leadership of George Bush. I like Obama's cabinet picks so far; go Janet Napolitano!!!
{"commentId":4168780,"threadId":"424748","contentId":"2134042","authorDomain":"jcurtis3"}
#12 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:33 PM EST{"canLink":false,"threadId":"424748","isPrivate":false}
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