">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Obama names Richardson as commerce secretary
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Obama names Richardson as commerce secretary
AFP - 1 hour 3 minutes ago
CHICAGO (AFP) - - Barack Obama on Wednesday named New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as his commerce secretary, dubbing him a top "economic diplomat" who would help lead the United States out of the financial crisis.
The president-elect added to his rapidly-filling cabinet at a news conference here and denied the post was a consolation for Richardson , a former Democratic presidential rival, who was passed over for secretary of state.
Richardson, 61, will start "laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity to help American businesses grow and thrive at home and expand our efforts to promote American enterprise around the world," Obama said.
"This work is the core mission of the secretary of commerce and with his breadth and depth of experience in public life, Governor Richardson is uniquely suited for this role as a leading economic diplomat for America."
Richardson, 61, a veteran diplomatic troubleshooter, ex-lawmaker, and energy secretary and United Nations ambassador under president Bill Clinton, had been tipped to head the State Department, but Obama chose Hillary Clinton instead.
Obama dismissed the idea that Richardson's assignment would disappoint Latino voters who helped him win battleground states Florida, New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada.
"Commerce secretary is a pretty good job," he said.
"The notion that somehow the commerce secretary is not going to be central to everything we do is fundamentally mistaken," he said, and held out the prospect of adding more Hispanic members to his half-formed cabinet.
Richardson, who spoke in both English and Spanish, said he was honored to be chosen.
"There's a vital role for the Department of Commerce in our economic recovery," he said.
"The official role of the department is job creation, economic growth, sustainable development, and improving living standards -- the same goals of your economic plan, Mr. President-elect."
Richardson's appointment won backing from the man he will replace, Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, who noted his successors "strong international experience."
"Richardson has the credibility and expertise to negotiate with our foreign partners and ensure that American businesses and workers have open markets and a fair playing field on which to compete," he said in a statement.
In a light-hearted moment, Obama ribbed Richardson for shaving his beard, which he said had given the New Mexico governor a "western rugged look."
"For some reason, maybe because it was scratchy when he kissed his wife, he was forced to get rid of it."
Richardson mounted an unsuccessful challenge for the Democratic presidential nomination, hoping to become the first Hispanic US president.
He then switched allegiances to back Obama over Hillary Clinton, despite his ties to former president Clinton.
Once dubbed the "Indiana Jones" of US diplomacy, Richardson is famed for head-to-head encounters with strongmen leaders on the US pariah list, including Iraq's executed president Saddam Hussein and Cuba's Fidel Castro.
Janet Murguia, president of National Council La Raza, the largest US Latino organization, said she was disappointed that Richardson had been passed over for secretary of state but was glad he secured a cabinet spot.
She also expressed hopes that other Hispanic leaders would be included in Obama's cabinet, as the president-elect has yet to name posts such as Labor secretary, education secretary and US Trade Representative.
"We're still optimistic we will see a cabinet that reflects a coalition of communities that helped to elect President Obama," she said.
The Commerce department in recent years has played second fiddle to Treasury in terms of domestic economic policy and international trade matters, but it is a cabinet level position and the nominee can play a role in both.
The department manages a host of statistical operations including the population census, and also the International Trade Administration which can enforce actions on dumping and unfair trade.
Commerce also manages telecommunications and copyright (intellectual property) issues through its agencies as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather service.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: World
Prosecutor: Jealousy behind Hudson family killingsAP - 26 minutes ago
Texas time warp? State criticized for mental careAP - 33 minutes ago
Canada's PM says bid to topple him is undemocraticAP - 34 minutes ago
US releases first part of drug aid for MexicoAP - 39 minutes ago
Automakers plead for aid plan, but votes lackingAP - 41 minutes ago
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Wall Street plunges as recession becomes reality
Sweden to come to rescue of struggling carmakers Saab and Volvo
World stocks tumble as economic fears deepen
Islamist leader calls on pirates to free ships
British Airways targets Qantas merger
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Other News on Thursday, 4 December 2008
Central CDC’s survival guide helps residents through recession
Police find explosives at Mumbai train station
Dalai Lama not likely to visit Taiwan for now: President Ma
Donations in kind to Salvation Army double this festive season
Thai airports reopening after PM ousted by court
Fans and booksellers eager for new JK Rowling book
Daniel Gatti conducts La Scala premiere
ASEAN members regret Thai postponement of summit
Pakistan army says airstrikes kill 30 militants
India says all options open with Pakistan after Mumbai attacks
Ex-presidents, premiers urge UN chief to intervene in Myanmar
Plan for 'Sound of Music' hotel blocked in Austria
Explosives found, defused at Mumbai railway station: police
India says all options open with Pakistan after Mumbai attacks
Folk music, civil rights legend Odetta dies at 77
US military urges Pakistan to probe Mumbai ties
'Da Vinci Code' publisher leaves Random House
Thai airport reopens after PM ousted by court
China denies alleged attack on foreign journalists
WRAPUP 2-South Korea c.bank rushes to give banks more help
Roselyn Sanchez marries Eric Winter
Google tightening its belt: WSJ
Japan announces new measures to ease tight credit
US envoy in Singapore for talks with North Korea
China not facing major crisis, slowdown moderate: expert
Thai crisis defused but dangers ahead
UNESCO chief to visit Singapore
Vanessa Williams kicks off NY cancer fundraiser
Seth MacFarlane named the smartest person in TV
Singapore receives international award for approaches to tobacco control
Dalai Lama meets Belgian PM on tour that has angered China
Magic wands to the ready as Potter follow-up goes on sale
Cyber Monday boosts gloomy online retail sales
Hebron settlers brace for forceful evacuation
Iran's president concedes economy hurting over oil
NATO, Russia agree return to top level talks
Games, music dominate Top 10 iPhone applications in 2008
Reconciliation needed in Iraq's most violent city
EU to launch justice mission in Kosovo
US job losses accelerate, German car sales stall
WITNESS: Counting bodies on Congo's front line
| International
|
French aid worker freed in Afghanistan
Basque businessman killed in suspected ETA shooting
Union joins automakers in pledge to make sacrifices
UAW will make concessions to save automakers: union boss
British conjoined twin dies after separation surgery
China's world factory struggles to find its feet
| International
|
Unions set to back US automakers bailout plea
Greenhouse gases make oceans noisier: UN, wildlife groups
NATO seeks more forces to avoid Afghan stalemate
| International
|
Obama names Richardson as commerce secretary
Number of companies interested in buying Saab: CEO
Putin faces crisis questions from Russian people
| International
|
Former British leader urges push for Mideast peace
Oil prices slide under $45 per barrel
Bombs found in Mumbai train station a week later
Large quake jolts Japan's north, no damage reported
| International
|
Seoul shares rise after U.S. gains; banks advance
Man sentenced for Australian society killing
U.S.-led coalition in Iraq dwindles as allies leave
| International
|
NZ central bank cuts 1.5 percent from key rate
Quake with magnitude of 6.1 hits northern Japan
Singapore Hot Stocks-Cosco, Olam in focus
Icahn says opposes partial sale of Yahoo
| Technology
|
NZ cenbank cuts rates by record 150 bps to 5 pct
Wallabies end rugby tour with win over Barbarians
Notebook PC weakness seen hurting chipmakers
| Technology
|
EU to push for Caspian gas line
EU targets Chinese soy imports in new melamine scare
Cutting costs but still want a fancy phone?
| Technology
|
Japan auto parts company to open plant in Uruguay
Apple may be chilling iTunes competition: critics
| Technology
|
Activists vows to protect whales from Japanese
EA, Gameloft say mobile gaming market doing well
| Technology
|
Oil prices slide under $45 per barrel
US, China headed for possible currency clash
Croat police apologize for Facebook arrest
| Technology
|
Toyota to cut domestic output amid slowing demand
FCC to consider free Internet, cable issues
| Technology
|
Sail online for thrills without danger
| Technology
|
PC sales to fall in 2009, research firms say
| Technology
|
New star-studded Web video protests Proposition 8
Defense seeks minimum 6-year term for O.J. Simpson
| Entertainment
|
Recession-hit Americans flocking to movies
| Entertainment
|
Sundance Film Festival unveils competition films
| Entertainment
|
Drama offers comprehensive look at dictator's reign
| Entertainment
|
Britney marriage broke over kids, Federline says
| Entertainment
|
Adidas ads feature musicians but not their music
| Entertainment
|
Prosecutor: Jealousy behind Hudson family killings
Trial over Pickford Oscar opens in LA
Kanye West outperforms Guns N' Roses on album chart
| Entertainment
|
New star-studded Web video protests Proposition 8
Civil rights beacon Odetta dead at 77
| Entertainment
|
Mark Ruffalo's brother shot in Beverly Hills
Colombian singer Fanny Lu makes stateside inroads
| Entertainment
|
Obama campaign manager to write book
NY Public Library displays rare Rowling book
No relief in sight as radio ad revenue declines
| Entertainment
|
'ER' to end its lengthy run March 12, NBC says
Newsman Miles O'Brien leaving CNN after 16 years
Bedroom Bach? YouTube starts a cyber symphony
Madonna postpones opening concert in Argentina
Electronic Arts buys South Korean game developer
Croatian PM orders probe into Facebook-linked detentions
Bonnaroo set to rock June 11-14 in Tennessee
Lebanon tourism hits four-year high
`Maude' star among TV Hall of Fame inductees
Kid Rock upset at Ga. judge's ruling
Sanyo to launch new electric hybrid bicycle
CBS to power Yahoo's online radio service
Tourists to be barred from Tokyo tuna auctions
APNewsBreak: Andrews to succeed Cronkite on PBS
Lithuania plans crackdown on workplace drunks
Country star Alan Jackson honored with CMT special
St. Pete photographer sues Chris Brown, Rihanna
Taiwan leader urges support for Japan-themed movie in China
Judge signs off on McDermott's divorce
Rock, Brosnan, Sarandon line up for Sundance
`MNF' tops TV cable ratings for Nov. 24-30
Review: `Frost/Nixon' depicts tense TV showdown
US, China headed for possible currency clash
New Xbox 360 'Scene It?' game a crowd pleaser
After 37 years, Denmark's hippie haven fights for survival
S.Korea T-bond futures jump as rate cut looms
Stolen antiquities returned from NY to Egypt
Apple yanks Macintosh anti-virus software advice
Record, study and hear music at new Grammy Museum
Suspect in Hudson murders has long rap sheet
French films selected for Sundance festival
Libya complains of Israeli high sea 'piracy' to UN council
Aguilera: Another working mom on the red carpet
Auto industry faces 'massive' job losses without aid: Ghosn
Thai Bev to raise $10.5 mln in Bangkok share sale
Fire in China company dorm kills 11, injures 10
Molester jailed 10 months, rapist 5 1/2 years
RPT-GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares rally; focus on central banks
Firms should explore customer social responsibility, says expert
Britons on a budget prefer sex to gossip
Grammy nominations in top categories
AirAsia pioneer talks about more KL—Singapore flights
Lil Wayne leads Grammy noms with 8, Coldplay 7
Philippines says wanted leftist rebel leader arrested
Jimmy Carter writes new book on Middle East
Wikipedia gets grant to lure new writers
Call for Aussie politicians to be breath-tested before voting
US, NKorea envoys head into Singapore talks
Rice in Pakistan after Mumbai attacks
Wallabies' prospects excite rugby coach Deans
Australia PM returns to regionalist approach
SIA to resume flights between S’pore and Bangkok’s main airport on Friday
Hamm to play Fey love interest on '30 Rock'
Lawmaker blasted for giving media protest photo
Official: Pakistan group leaders linked to attacks
Gunmen kill 2 Afghan tribal elders who met Karzai
Electricity tariff reduced by nearly 24.7% for first quarter of 2009
Ex-law minister: Malaysia racial unity threatened
Australia seeks closer security ties with Asia: PM
Lil Wayne, Coldplay lead Grammy nominations
Taiwan's ex-intelligence chief gets 10-year jail term on graft
Thailand restores international air links
Rice pushes Pakistan, seeks to curb India response
| International
|
Thai crisis shifts to king as airport gets going
| International
|
Suicide bomb inside spy agency in Afghan southeast
| International
|
Body of slain Afghan ex-president identified after 30 years
| International
|
Canada's democracy under fire, PM tells nation
China lashes Dalai Lama's demands for autonomy
| International
|
China: No lip-synching in year's biggest TV show
New Xbox 360 'Scene It?' game a crowd pleaser
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 556
Australians told to take a break for the economy
| International
|
Rights groups urge end to Thai political violence
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,207
Indonesian company says settlement reached with mud volcano victims
Pakistani c.bank sells 13.2 bln rupees of T-bills
China offers pieces of Bird's Nest for 420 dollars: report
Taiwan proposes using postal bank to spur lending
Governor of key Afghan province sacked
S.Korea T-bond futures fall on bond issue plan
24 cab drivers arrested for airport protest
China urges Washington to protect its investments
Officials: Pakistan group leaders linked to attack
Japan's recession woes mount as firms slash investment
Report: Indian official warns of airborne attack
Seoul shares end down as financials, builders fall
Foreign deals by Asia companies hit record in 2008
Nomura says to cut up to 1,000 jobs in London
Lil Wayne and Coldplay lead Brit-heavy Grammy field
| Entertainment
|
Japan's Nippon Oil, Nippon Mining to merge
Office scores touchdown on NBC's midseason lineup
| Entertainment
|
Vietnam announces $1 billion economic stimulus
China's Chen eyes comeback in biopic of opera star
Rowling offers Potter fans a gift with new book
Jazmine Sullivan hits it big with 5 Grammy nods
Tyler Perry takes the stand in copyright lawsuit
Australia gets its first national security adviser
MFA advises S’poreans to avoid non—essential travel to India
Paris gets world's first Cinema Street
Indian airports on alert, warnings of airborne attacks: officials
Mumbai Jews on edge after attacks in India
Li eyes top acting prize at Chinese Oscars
Zardari vows 'strong action' vs. Mumbai culprits
Philippine mayor, 3 bodyguards killed
Thai flights step up as king prepares for speech
Institute of Adult Learning launched to focus on training trainers
Family, friends and S’poreans bid final farewell to Lo Hwei Yen
Philippines files charges against Islamic militant
Tabloid magnets Kevin Chen and Kate Tsui standing strong
Golf: Asian Tour to grow in 2009 despite economic crisis
China gets on board railway project to speed up economy
'Angel' killed in Mumbai was Singapore's first terror victim
Lee Seo Hyun takes his own life
Hong Kong actors in town for charity
Man fined S$19k for smuggling cigarettes through parcel post
Half of Marina Bay Sands retail space taken up
'Tap Tap Dance" an iPhone stage for hot musicians
Gaza banks close as cash dwindles during blockade
Nintendo 'sells half a million DSi consoles' in first month
Bank of England slashes interest rates to 2.0%
At least 10 dead in double car bombing in Iraq's Fallujah
Russia will cut gas supply if Ukraine does not pay: Putin
EU was wrong to freeze Iran group's funds: court
Zimbabwe declares national emergency over cholera
| International
|
Double attack in Iraq's Fallujah, casualties reported
Iraq officials: Car bombings in Fallujah kill 10
Iraq: Obama calls Iraqi PM to discuss cooperation
Palestinians recount abuses in West Bank jails
| International
|
Israel eases Gaza blockade
Putin says Russia will survive difficult period
| International
|
US says had substantive nuclear talks with North Korea
Solar car completes 1st ever round-the-world trip
Smartphone sales growth slowed in Q3: Gartner
| Technology
|
Pakistan army vows peace amid tensions with India
Pakistan's foreign reserves rise to $9.08 bln
New videogames lure players into the kitchen
| Technology
|
Goldman Sachs rejects Panasonic's latest Sanyo offer
Volcano spews hot ash in central Indonesia
Ex-South Korean president's brother arrested
Central banks set for new attack on hordes of recession data
UNESCO chief calls on the PM Lee, SM Goh
Nokia says to get royalty payments from RIM
| Technology
|
China shares up on new goverment financial support
Thai king is 'sick', can't give speech: crown prince
Taiwan at 3-yr closing low on funds, exporters support
China's currency slips vs dollar as officials meet
China's Okay Airways suspends flights for 1 month
Officials: Pakistan militants masterminded attacks
China warns Tibet row could impact French trade ties
Honda to cut jobs in UK, Japan amid global slump
KAMCO may buy more bad loans from S.Korea thrifts
Rowling waves her magic wand again with first post-Potter tale