Bill Richardson To Join Obama's Cabinet

N.M. Gov Will Be Named To Head Commerce Dept.; Obama To Announce Economic Team Monday

(CBS/AP)  A Democratic official says President-elect Barack Obama will name New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as commerce secretary.

The official says Obama plans to announce Richardson's selection after Thanksgiving. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations.

Richardson was energy secretary and U.N. ambassador under President Bill Clinton. Richardson would be the most visible Hispanic named to Obama's Cabinet.

Richardson ran for the Democratic nomination but dropped out in January and endorsed Obama.

Obama is set to make the formal announcement of the top members of his economic team tomorrow.

CBS News has confirmed that Obama will name New York Federal Reserve President Tim Geithner as his Treasury Secretary, and former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers to direct the National Economic Council.

Geithner would have chief responsibility for tackling the economic slowdown and credit crunch. At the New York Fed, he has played a critical role in the government's response to the financial crisis and has worked closely with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Ben Bernanke, the Fed chairman.

Summers, 53, treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton and one-time president of Harvard University, will advise Obama from the White House.

The men will confront an economic crisis that continues to deepen in spite of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal emergency spending in recent weeks.

If confirmed by the Senate, the 47-year-old Geithner takes over the Cabinet job of administering the next administration's perilous mission to stem the economic nose dive and restore financial equilibrium.

Word of his likely selection Friday helped send the Dow Jones Industrials soaring 6.5 percent after several days of steep losses.

Summers will coordinate the federal response to the economic meltdown across several agencies and also help shepherd Obama's new recovery plan, which aims to create millions of new jobs rebuilding roads, modernizing schools and creating alternative energy sources by January 2011.

Both men will appear with Obama at a Monday news conference in Chicago.

The move followed in one-two fashion Obama's declaration on Saturday that his administration planned to create 2.5 million jobs over the next two years.

Obama wants Congress to approve it quickly to approve the recovery plan so he can sign it shortly after his Jan. 20 inauguration.

"These aren't just steps to pull ourselves out of this immediate crisis. These are the long-term investments in our economic future that have been ignored for far too long," Obama said in the weekly Democratic radio address on Saturday.

He called the plan "big enough to meet the challenges we face" and said that it would kindle job creation and shore up the nation's economic foundation.

"We'll be working out the details in the weeks ahead, but it will be a two-year, nationwide effort to jump-start job creation in America and lay the foundation for a strong and growing economy," Obama said.

The announcement of the appointments comes as Obama moves quickly to fill slots for his incoming administration.

On Saturday, Obama named longtime spokesman Robert Gibbs as White House press secretary. Gibbs went to work for Obama's Senate campaign in 2004 and was communications director while Obama was in the Senate.

The president-elect is virtually certain to offer Congressional Budget Office chief Peter Orszag the job of directing the White House Office of Budget and Management, and Orszag is likely to accept, Democratic officials said Saturday.

[spinproof]

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is good to have around especially when discussing Diplomacy, and especially if Sen. Hillary Clinton doesn''t work out as Secretary of State, Richardson can step right in. The U.S. needs to soften its image and lower its tone in foreign affairs and Richardson knows how to do that without appearing weak, Sen. Clinton will be business as usual, pumping up the volume at time when the U.S. really doesn''t need that and will be another version of Rice in the context of being too tough when its not always necessary. Does Hillary have a Diplomatic soft side, its rarely seen!

[longtree-2009]

although obama was elected by an electoral landslide, the jury is still out on whether he will bring any change at all. staffing with former clinton people is hardly any change. one wonders if bill clinton is or will be the puppet master.

[cheteunice]

Another fine politician being lost to the Obama fraud--too bad, would have voted for him!

[cheteunice]

longtree, Call it like it is. His current appointees are no change. His promise of change was just a smoke screen. He is an empty suit!

[ramos937]

Richardson would have made a more better choice for SecState. But, his addition in any capcity is a big plus for Obama.

[cheteunice]

ramos937, Yes, a big plus for Obama, but a big minus for him in my book.

[scb111_1]

More of the SAME of old tired RETREADS of the Clinton''s Administration...where''s the CHANGE we need???

[centerfall94]

Great choices, Obama!!

Bill Richardson
Hillary Clinton

Good stuff, all.

[iawildcats72]

Hey, how about a seat for Bill Clinton and John Edwards? Wouldn''t that be great?

[chitown4716]

More of the SAME of old tired RETREADS of the Clinton''''s Administration...where''''s the CHANGE we need???


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Posted by scb111_1

When you voted for change...did you expect Obama to put people in his cabinet you never heard of???? Bill Clinton was leader of the Democratic Party for 16 years, you would be hard pressed to find good democrats with SOLID experience that no one has ever heard of or does not have some sort of tie to the Clintons.....

Or maybe you were thinking he would appoint politicians from other countries, like Tony Blair....oh, no Tony Blair knows Bill Clinton, he met with him a few times, so maybe not Tony Blair......

[hoomyaj]

Those who hate Clinton people on Obama''s staff/cabinet are idoits. Clinton did a great job on the economy b/c he surrounded himself with smart people. Unlike W who surround himself with old friends that he olds favors to. This is the reason why we are in this mess. W refuse to do anything about it b/c he and all the people around him are too dumb to come up with anything.

[jn122736]

Change, like beauty, is is the eye of the beholder.

For those of us who want to see a drastic change from the past 8 years and the a cleansing of the present, Republican, administrative branch, there definitely is a major change.

For those who are expecting to see Obama appoint complete unknowns, or more likely would like to see retention of the present administrative appointees, I understand your obvious disappointment.

[sidneyt1]

The Obama dream team is very consistent with Dr. King''s dream of an America where men and women of all races, political persuasion, and backgrounds can come together to solve the nation''s most pressing issues. This is a good day for America!

[TrishG62]

As an Independent, I sit on the sidelines very amused at the Obama supporters who created new adjectives in their name calling of Hillary. Now, she will have that very powerful job of Secretary of State. I can''t wait to read the spin that will start with the "Barry Boys and Girls". LOL.
br
br
La Raza has already spoken and demanded they be included in all discussions of cabinet appointees and because they take credit for all Latino votes apparently, they feel they should have a minimum of 2 Latinos, preferably 3,given a cabinet job and in the words of the president of LaRaza, ''they must jobs of "authority" ''. Has Obama gotten permission from LaRaza,yet, for this Richardson appointment ? Richardson may not be "Latino" enough.

[chitown4716]

Bill Richardson is a excellent choice, as were the others Obama has choosen to serve under him.

Obama in his wisdom, is putting together a great team!!!

Good Work, Obama!!!

[chitown4716]

Let me ******** tell you bozos somfin about change.. It ain''''t got no ******** familiar face, k? Its somebody new..


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Posted by william167

I see the MENTAL HOSPITALS let the patients use the computers on SUNDAYS.... I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this!!!!...LMAO!!!

[thedarkgod1]

BACK TO THE COMMENT AT HAND:

Richardson is an excellent choice! Too bad he could not get State. The Clintons made him pay for not supporting Hillary for that one.

Hillary being at State is ok. She MUST do the Presidents bidding! No matter what those so-called reporters and "in-siders" say. Plus, being at State means she MUST BE OUT OF THE U.S. MOST OF THE TIME! Her job description is EXTERNAL AFFAIRS! Like the CIA, she operates outside the States. The only time she may operate in the States is at the UN. Again International/External.

So having her cross the globe and make good is ok. One problem: The State Department operation and staff. A disaster! Under her, it may become worse. Look how her campaign was mismanaged at the end of the primaries! People at State are terrified of that.

Plus, if she screws up at State, it will be her FAULT! It is a position that literally depends on the performance of the appointee. If she acts out of hand, the Obama camp can get rid of her and she will no doubt take the blame.

State, really is an isolated position because the person is not ALWAYS in Washington and at the fingertips of the Pres.

Get the Clintons FAR AWAY and keep them FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE! SMART

[thedarkgod1]

Cry and whine all you want - he''''s STILL your president.

Really though - hasn''''t the election proven to you that NO ONE is EVER going to buy that silly racist garbage?
--------------------------

Posted by IwasHungry68 at 01:43 PM : Nov 23, 2008

HEY DUDE, if you are talking about me being a racist, you got the wrong guy.

Look up NoOBAMA 4s statement on slave stock comment.

My response was directed to him. Yes, he is the President of the U.S. I should hope so, I voted for him, even though I am an expat., living in Madrid, Spain at this very moment.

[marshall65]

Some of the people on these blogs remind me of the characters who were given section''s 8 out of the Army. You should take your filth, crawl into a hole somewhere or commit yourself to a mental asylum.

[renonv5]

I guess he had to give him something considering he endorsed him.

[chitown4716]

Hey william167,

I like them French fried potaters. Mmm

[rafterman1]

===Obama''''s cabinet meetings will be held in Jurassic Park, so the secretaries don''''t have to travel. Change, change, change--NOT!===
Posted by DeckardBR

There''s plenty of change in Obama''s picks. He''s tilting to the center and willing to bring in people who disagree with him, like Hilary - unlike Bush''s stable of "yes" men, where loyalty trumped skill.

[chitown4716]

Ok.. don''''t listen to me. I''''m glad I don''''t have to do nut''''n no more. Being perpetual cynic is fun..


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Posted by william167

I studied about it. The Bible says you ought not to. It says if you do that, you go off to Hades. Some folks call it Hell, I call it Hades. Mmm

[pakaal]

It''s refreshing to see some intelligence in cabinet choices, Richardson will do well in the Commerce Dept. role.

[nanc12]

I guess he''''s sighing a big sigh of relief even though he didn''''t get the VP or the SOS job he was promised...

Posted by Rowdydfw
I guess you''re now Bill Richardson''s bff, so you know all about what he was ''promised'' and how he feels. Then in one breath, you complain about how he betrayed your dear Clinton friends, then call Clinton appointees criminal! You really need to be taking your bi-polar medication more regularly, wiccan.

[speets-2009]

Is it just me or do the republicans in the discussions on cbsnews.com seem like they''re on some sort of brain-liquidizing crack?

[downtowner97]

When you think about it, just about all foreign relations are commerce based, so Sec of commerce is very close to Sec of State.

Now to put Ron Paul in as an economic adviser.

[chitown4716]

I can''''t wait till Richardson starts staffing the Dept. of Commerce. Raines, Johnson, Howard, Taft and Spencer...instead of going to jail where they should be will each have a section job.


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Posted by Rowdydfw

Wishful thinking....You wish things would go terribly wrong in the U.S. so you are your unamerican GOP brethern will feel some sense of victory.....

AlQaeda and the GOP

Americas GREATEST ENEMIES

[chitown4716]

Those criminals were on and still are on Obslime-a''''s handy dandy economics team...guess they''''ll authorize them to do some more criminal acts to crash our securities markets...

Comforting isn''''t it?


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Posted by Rowdydfw

Well, I seen this ACT of yours before!!!

Is this the part where I say, ''Well prove it, then!''.

And then you immediately post false garbage you copied from some phony GOP Conspiracy-Site....

I have seen that dog before, and that dog wont hunt...SO SORRY, THANKS FOR PLAYING!!!

[nanc12]

and now you''''''''re b****chy
Posted by Rowdydfw

Sorry - had to stop laughing about Rowdy calling someone b*tchy. Ah, wiccan, you are a never-ending source of humor. But really, things are going so well with Obama and his cabinet picks, that I don''t even feel like arguing with you and your crazy paranoia. You should do something about your SNL obsession, tho.

[hwy1702]

%u201CChange%u201D? What a laugh. If Obama keeps hiring the same *** from the Clinton years then America will continue its downward spiral. Be it black, white, red, brown, or yellow, most politicians are the same %u2013 useless.

[chitown4716]

Some day you people will wake up and realize that hope and change are just words that bought the stupid and gullible vote.


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Posted by Rowdydfw

NOPE, you mean HOPE and CHANGE DEFEATED the stupid and gullible vote.

The People are taking this country in a NEW direction and this is NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN!!!

[cheteunice]

I''m disappointed that he is going with Obama--would have supported him in the future for Pres1

[chitown4716]

Barney is invited to the party. It''''s an anatomically correct pinata in leather chaps.


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Posted by jgg0002

If Larry Craig comes, should he bring his own stall???

[cheteunice]

chitown4716, His announced appointments so far show no change or new direction--just same old, same old!

[chitown4716]

Yeah, you suckers did...you bought the whole rotten tomatoe...congratulations!


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Posted by Rowdydfw

Thank you, and we are gonna show the children of Rove how to win elections without tearing the country apart!!!!

[cheteunice]

IwasHungry68, Because professional politicians love each other. Hillary is not qualified to be sect. of state.

[cheteunice]

IwasHungry68, The Dems had congress for two years and did nothing--no leadership--no achievement--worse ratings than Bush!

[chitown4716]

Anybody notice how the neocon poster child-in-chief has disappeared as of late? I think he can''''t get out of there fast enough.


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Posted by ghostfighter

Bush says its all part of his ''STRATEGERY''. He doesnt have to use ''FUZZY MATH'' to know his time is up in the White House. So he will just make it appear that he has ''CUT N RUN''......

[cheteunice]

IwasHungry68, ''What are YOUR qualifications to make that determination?''

Unlike you, I have a brain, eyes and a memory. Her two big achievements are having married a future president and producing a failed health coverade plan.
Oh I forgot about being a mediocre at best senator

[cheteunice]

IwasHungry68, ''Why is it that MOST of their bills / legislation, NEVER came up for an up or down vote?''

Dems'' leadership was incompetent?

[drbob10001]

Barack Obama will serve our country and all Americans. George Bush served *** Cheney.

[cheteunice]

shazam140, You need to move to some other countries for a while--it will cure your distorted attitude!

[tbuckl]

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as commerce secretary sounds good to me. He seems to be operating in the 21st Century not 1950. His state of New Mexico has been very progressive with putting into play new ideas even if the U.S. Government can''t find their way out of a wet paper sack opened at both ends.

[cheteunice]

IwasHungry68, ''At least with the projector, the American people GOT SOMETHING for the money!!!!''

Yes, more squat like you!

[cheteunice]

shazam140, Go flush out your brain--it''s leaking because it is clogged up!

[chitown4716]

Ask Alsamarrae, Obslime-a''''s buddy he helped break out of that Iraqi prison and is hiding him on the lam in Chicago....he got most of it...

And of course then starting pouring money into Obslime-a''''s like cash bucket...


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Posted by Rowdydfw

That story is so CRAZY....ITS INSANELY CRAZY!!!

You really should seek help, Rowdy!!!

[cheteunice]

IwasHungry68, ''Why do the republicans CONSTANTLY cause our government to gridlock?''

Unlike what the Dems did the 1st six years of the Bush admin?


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Posted by

[chitown4716]

You know the BUDGET...the the democraps have absolutely no idea how to operate in? You realize that in the last two years domestic spending went up FIVE TIMES?

And then you idiots screech about having to borrow money to cover it?


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Posted by Rowdydfw

Republicans are in the congress too!!! No bills can be passed in this Congress without Republican approval. Who signs the spending bills??? Answer: Republican-President Bush.....the most spendingest president in history!!!!

[cheteunice]

IwasHungry68, No I''m not kidding!