Since NOAA accounts for 65% of the Commerce Department budget, I'll be paying close attention to what happens next. Details at the New York Times:
WASHINGTON -- 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.
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A very sad turn of events given his experience and qualifications... and given the ethically-challenged sorts who just spent 8 yrs. in office!
Well, hold on a second. Richardson may have been a good appointment with proven expertise on energy and climate issues, but as I wrote in the body of this post, NOAA is 65% of Commerce.
I've wondered about the large block of his campaign donations from real estate developers; folks who don't generally favor wetlands protection, coastal land use restrictions, or the Endangered Species Act. The Commerce Department has interests in all of these so don't be too quick to judge. We'll see who's nominated next.
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Kate
http://educationonline-101.com
SIGH . . . I am most . . . interested . . . in how both Gov. Richardson and the Obama team came to the conclusion this would be a no big deal investigation. Sad to see hi bow out. It would have been nice to have a more environmentally friendly Secretary of Commerce.
And Sheril's right - with NOAA at 65% of the Commerce budget in non-census years, one does have to wonder if picking a terrestrially oriented business type is really the bets plan.
But I digress . . . .
Replacement? How about Gary Locke, ex two-time governor, Chinese American, squeeky-clean, policywonk with Pacific rim connections/experience?