Obama taps Richardson

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has been slated to return to the presidential Cabinet. President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday named Richardson as his choice for commerce secretary.

He was energy secretary and U.N. ambassador under President Bill Clinton. Richardson long has been a strong proponent of free-trade agreements, and local officials indicate that if the Senate confirms his nomination, his presence as head of the commerce department could be good for South Texas.

"He's a border governor and understands the importance that international commerce plays in our area," said state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., a longtime political and personal friend.

State Sen. Juan Chuy Hinojosa said he was glad to see a border governor nominated to the position.

"I was very happy for him; I think he's overqualified though." Hinojosa said. "He's very experienced and understands the importance that maintaining jobs has on our economy. I think president-elect Obama has put together a top-notch team focusing on the economy."

Hinojosa worked closely with Richardson in 2004 when Republican Party members began redrawing congressional districts. Democratic senators, who were in the minority and didn't have the votes to defeat a vote on new district lines, left the state to forestall the quorum needed to bring the issue to a vote. Richardson assisted the lawmakers' rebellion.

"When the 11 senators broke the quorum on the redistricting being pushed by the Republicans led by Tom Delay, we went to Albuquerque and he was a great host," Hinojosa recalled. "He greeted us with open arms and helped us in our battle."

It was unclear how Richardson's support for free trade would square with Obama's campaign promises to press to reopen trade agreements to add protections for American labor and the environment, or even how much of a role Richardson would play in those debates.

Obama took just three questions during a news conference with Richardson in Chicago, none on that subject, and did not invite any give-and-take between Richardson and the press.

In an interview, Lucio told The Brownsville Herald that he plans to meet with Richardson to voice his support for the North America Free Trade Agreement and to express the positive impact foreign trade has had on the area.

"In Texas, the economy is relatively healthy versus the rest of the nation," Lucio said. "We don't want to see NAFTA put away."

Texas trade with Canada has grown exponentially and is responsible for $7 billion in revenue and the creation of 23,000 jobs, Lucio said.

During his appearance with Obama Richardson, in prepared remarks, spoke of his commitment to creating technology jobs that can't be outsourced, promoting sustainable development and revitalizing U.S. manufacturing.

He downplayed the idea that Obama is surrounding himself with a "team of rivals" that includes his selections of former challengers: Hillary Clinton to be secretary of state and Joe Biden to be vice president.

"I've never seen it that way," said the second-term governor and one of the nation's most prominent Latino politicians. "Past competitors, yes, but ‘rivals' implies something harder-edged and less forgiving. In the worlds of diplomacy and commerce, you open markets and minds not with rivalry, but instead with partnership and innovation and hard work."

Speaking in Spanish, Richardson thanked Latino voters for backing Obama and said that "we must continue fighting for our rights at the same time that we pursue the American dream for all." He called on residents of Latin America and the Caribbean to "strengthen our ties and remember the importance of a united hemisphere."

Obama bristled when a reporter asked him to respond to criticism from the Latino community that Richardson's post was a "consolation prize" for not getting to be secretary of state.

Obama also predicted that by the time he names his full Cabinet, "I think people are going to say this is one of the most diverse Cabinets and White House staffs of all time. But more importantly they're going to say these are all people of outstanding qualifications and excellence."

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McClatchy Newspapers correspondent Kevin G. Hall contributed to this report.

Herald reporter Ildefonso Ortiz contributed to this report.