NYT:
Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, one of the country’s most prominent Hispanic politicians and President-elect Barack Obama’s choice to be commerce secretary, on Sunday dropped out of consideration for that post. He attributed his decision to the ongoing investigation of a company that has done business with New Mexico.
Mr. Richardson said that he would continue as governor, and he added, “Let me say unequivocally that I and my administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact.”
If Richardson does stay on as governor (something I’m not convinced of, despite his statement), then of course Lt. Gov. (and likely successor) Diane Denish won’t get bumped up to the statehouse right away. This doesn’t change the calculus a whole lot, though, as Richardson is term-limited and we’re likely to see a serious race for this seat no matter what.
The whole transition was going so smoothly too. But this gives another interesting opportunity for Obama to show some bipartisan credentials and castrate the GOP Senate caucus of another member. If he picks Olympia Snowe to replace Richardson, well then there would be an open seat in Democratic leaning Maine.
Why would she want to take the job? I mean, I hope Obama offers it to her and she takes it as much as the next person here, but where she is now, she is one of the pivotal Senators in any filibuster fight; she is truly at a place of maximum political power. I find it somewhat obscure why she would give that up for a cabinet post. What am I missing?
I’ll guess Granholm for Commerce. Seems like she was in consideration for a spot or two but didn’t make the cut, and Commerce makes some sense as she can advocate for the automakers in that capacity.
Am I right to say that there are zero southerns in the cabinet? That’s absurd. There ought to be at least one.