Obama to nominate Richardson for Commerce

President-elect Barack Obama will announce Gov. Bill Richardson as his nominee for secretary of commerce, according to Democratic sources.

Richardson is one of the highest profile Latino elected officials in the country. During the campaign, Obama energetically courted the Latino vote and won that segment handily during the general election. Richardson endorsed Obama over Hillary Clinton during the primary season.

Richardson has excellent credentials but his nomination will attract some controversy from Chinese Americans, who objected to his handling of the Wen Ho Lee spy case when Richardson was secretary of energy during the Clinton administration. Some Chinese Americans are protesting the nomination demanding a formal apology from Richardson.

Malaysia Star

Obama to nominate Richardson for Cabinet
CNN International - 1 hour ago
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President-elect Barack Obama will announce New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as his pick for secretary of commerce on Wednesday, a Democratic source told CNN.
Obama to name Richardson for Commerce on Wednesday The Associated Press
Chinese-American activists oppose any Bill Richardson cabinet ... San Jose Mercury News

VP choice expected this week

The media is reporting that Barack Obama will announce his choice for vice presidential running mate at the end of this week possibly as early as Wednesday. However, the media got it wrong when they thought the candidates would announce before the start of the Olympics.

This time though there are reports that Obama staffers at the Chicago headquarters have been hastily preparing to transition in the Obama's pick.

Speculation, of course, is running wild with most commentators placing their bets on Joe Biden, Evan Bayh, Bill Richardson or Kathleen Sebelius. I still think that Hillary is a slight favorite, but her husband Bill might have hurt her chances. Barack's weakness has been with the more strident Hillary supporters. By choosing her, it's hard to imagine they could still oppose the Illinois senator.

Most people think that John McCain will wait until after the Democratic Convention to announce his choice in an attempt to upstage any "bounce" that Barack might gain from all the attention.

Video: Bill Richardson's Endorsement

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, sporting a new beard, endorses Barack Obama today, Mar. 21, 2008, at a rally in Portland, Oregon.


Barack Obama thanks Bill Richarson in Portland after receiving the latter's endorsement.

Bill Richardson endorses Barack Obama

Gov. Bill Richardson sent out an email last night endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president.

Richardson also called on other Democrats to rally behind Obama, so the focus can be turned to winning in November.

Here is a copy of Richardson's endorsement email to his supporters.

Dear Friend,

During the last year, I have shared with you my vision and hopes for this nation as we look to repair the damage of the last seven years. And you have shared your support, your ideas and your encouragement to my campaign. We have been through a lot together and that is why I wanted to tell you that, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for President.

We are blessed to have two great American leaders and great Democrats running for President. My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver. It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall. The 1990's were a decade of peace and prosperity because of the competent and enlightened leadership of the Clinton administration, but it is now time for a new generation of leadership to lead America forward. Barack Obama will be a historic and a great President, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad.

Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama gave an historic speech. that addressed the issue of race with the eloquence, sincerity, and optimism we have come to expect of him. He inspired us by reminding us of the awesome potential residing in our own responsibility. He asked us to rise above our racially divided past, and to seize the opportunity to carry forward the work of many patriots of all races, who struggled and died to bring us together.

As a Hispanic, I was particularly touched by his words. I have been troubled by the demonization of immigrants--specifically Hispanics-- by too many in this country. Hate crimes against Hispanics are rising as a direct result and now, in tough economic times, people look for scapegoats and I fear that people will continue to exploit our racial differences--and place blame on others not like them . We all know the real culprit -- the disastrous economic policies of the Bush Administration!

Senator Obama has started a discussion in this country long overdue and rejects the politics of pitting race against race. He understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as Americans.

His words are those of a courageous, thoughtful and inspiring leader, who understands that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And, after nearly eight years of George W. Bush, we desperately need such a leader.

To reverse the disastrous policies of the last seven years, rebuild our economy, address the housing and mortgage crisis, bring our troops home from Iraq and restore America's international standing, we need a President who can bring us together as a nation so we can confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad.

During the past year, I got to know Senator Obama as we campaigned against each other for the Presidency, and I felt a kinship with him because we both grew up between words, in a sense, living both abroad and here in America. In part because of these experiences, Barack and I share a deep sense of our nation's special responsibilities in the world.

So, once again, thank you for all you have done for me and my campaign. I wanted to make sure you understood my reasons for my endorsement of Senator Obama. I know that you, no matter what your choice, will do so with the best interests of this nation, in your heart.

Sincerely,

Bill Richardson

Barack Obama discusses the burgeoning costs of the Iraq War and the effect on the ailing economy.

Rep. Raul Grijalva endorses Barack Obama

Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva is switching his endorsement from John Edwards to Barack Obama.

"The best opportunity to win in November rests with Senator Obama," Grijalva said. "I am proud to support Senator Obama as we move forward toward the nomination. This election is not merely about moving the pieces around in Washington D.C., but to fundamentally change the rules of the game. I am proud to help Senator Obama work toward that change."

From neighboring New Mexico, Gov. Bill Richardson said that if he decides to endorse a candidate it will be by the end of the week. His nod could help Obama in winning over Latino voters.

It is worth noting that a great many of Richardson's Latino supporters have now openly endorsed Barack Obama.

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Gov. Bill Richardson pulls out, impact on Obama campaign

Several sources have confirmed that Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn from the presidential primary.

Now, I can't say what the governor will do, after all he was a Clinton appointee, but I do know that there are many of his supporters who are ready to shift over to Barack Obama.

These include Latinos with considerable pull in California and beyond, and other prominent non-Latino Californians. Quite a lot of Richardson's support outside of New Mexico is found in Southern California and Nevada.

My information comes from some very senior elected officials in the state senate here in Sacramento. However, since I do not know when or even if they will make the final decision now to shift to Barack, they can make their own announcements.

Six Los Angeles political leaders threw their support to Obama today even before the Richardson annoucement.

They are: Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena; former Rep. Mel Levine; Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-El Segundo; Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks; West Hollywood Mayor John Duran and Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke.

One of the reasons Latinos like Obama is that he was the only front-runner to openly state when a high pressure questions was posed during a debate that he supports driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants.

Richardson endorsing Obama?

Gov. Bill Richardson will instruct his followers to vote for Barack Obama as second choice according to Chase Martyn of the Iowa Independent.

Two sources familiar with the plan told Iowa Independent that the New Mexico Governor's organizers have been instructed to direct supporters to Obama in the places where they fail to reach the 15% threshold for viability.

Richardson, whose poll numbers in Iowa have hovered near 10% since June, may need a solid fourth-place finish in the caucuses to continue his campaign. And he is best served by directing support away from former Sen. John Edwards, who consistently polls between him and the two national front-runners, Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton, in national and early state polls.