Obama Appoints Bill Richardson to Commerce Department Post

President-elect Obama has named Governor Bill Richardson to be Commerce Secretary. The selection ends speculation as to what Richardson pay-off would be for supporting Obama and delivering his State of New Mexico and helping to secure the Hispanic vote. And for this blog which has been mostly about Richardson as Governor of New Mexico it mean it may be time to think about a new focus.


Anti-Torture Bill
My view of Richardson changed for the better after speaking to him in person about his opposition to torture. And I predict right now the Republicans or someone in Washington who may not agree with Richardson's diplomatic approach to his new job and may also disagree with Richardson's State Department connections will derail this appointment as Secretary of Commerce.

The odd thing is I trust Richardson to be fair more than I trust Obama to be even-handed.