Obama selects Richardson as Commerce head
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson named during news conference.
 |
| New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has been picked for the position of secretary of Commerce. |
CHICAGO (CNN) -- President-elect Barack Obama selected New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson for the position of secretary of Commerce in a news conference Wednesday morning.
"With his breadth and depth of experience in public life, Gov. Richardson is uniquely suited for this role as a leading economic diplomat for America," Obama said.
Richardson, one of the best-known Hispanics in the Democratic Party, also served as energy secretary during the Clinton administration, as well as ambassador to the United Nations.
Referencing the country's deteriorating economic situation, Obama said that it is "time to not just address our immediate economic threats, but to start laying the groundwork for long-term economic prosperity."
"As governor of New Mexico, Bill showed how government can act as a partner to support our businesses, helping create 80,000 new jobs," Obama noted. "And under his leadership, New Mexico saw the lowest unemployment rate in decades.
Richardson, 61, is the third former presidential rival to join Obama's team. Vice President-elect Joe Biden and Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama's pick for secretary of state, also competed for the Democratic presidential nomination. 
-
The nation's biggest auto show will be a much more subdued affair. No cattle herds. No open bar. more -
It's not a myth: In places like Detroit and Cleveland, banks are unloading rundown homes for a grand. more -
National Taxpayer Advocate says IRS should ease the burden on already-struggling taxpayers. more -
In a disastrous year for auto sales, here's who came out on top - and who got thrown under the wheels. more -
U.S. households worth more than $1 million have lost nearly a third of their assets. more -
This new $99 pedometer lets you compete online to track fitness goals, sleep, calories. more
