AP Source: Richardson Serious Commerce Contender
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 21, 2008
Filed at 2:58 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A senior Democratic official says New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has emerged as a serious contender for Commerce Secretary in President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet.
Richardson had been in the running for secretary of state, but is under consideration for Commerce now that Obama plans to nominate Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state after Thanksgiving.
The official with knowledge of the private Cabinet discussions spoke on background because the deliberations are not final.
Richardson is a prominent Hispanic leader who endorsed Obama after dropping his own presidential bid this year.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Obama-Cabinet.htmlLook I would have loved him at state. But at commerce he will be an important voice on two issues. Immigration Reform/Guest Worker program and wait for it.......the 2010 census.
That is right DOC includes the census Bureau. An Hispanic at the helm will be very important in making sure that everyone is counted (unless the new administration has the balls to go down the sampling route).
If Richardson can go on the offensive and get people to come out of the shadows to be counted, it will be big demographic help.