President-elect Barack Obama yesterday nominated Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.), a Tufts alum, to become secretary of commerce, which would make him a top economic manager and international envoy.
"The catchphrases of [Obama's] economic plan – investment, public-private partnerships, green jobs, technology, broadband, climate change and research – that is the Department of Commerce," Richardson (A '70, F '71) said at the press conference where the president-elect announced the nomination. "Boosting commerce between states and nations is not just a path to solvency and growth; it's the only path."
Before becoming governor, Richardson served as a U.S. congressman and in then-President Bill Clinton's administration as the country's ambassador to the United Nations and as energy secretary.
Richardson initially sought the Democratic presidential nomination, but he dropped out in January and ultimately backed Obama over Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). The endorsement drew extensive coverage because Richardson chose Obama despite his role in the Clinton administration. Richardson and Sen. Clinton, whom Obama has nominated to be secretary of state, are set to serve together on the cabinet.
The New Mexico governor is the latest addition to an economic team that will be responsible for weathering one of the most severe fiscal crises of the past century.
"Earlier this week, we learned that the U.S. economy has been in recession since December of 2007 and that our manufacturing output is at a 26-year low – two stark reminders of the magnitude of the challenges we face," Obama said yesterday.
The secretary of commerce's primary role is to advance domestic businesses while encouraging the expansion of American enterprises abroad.
But Economics Lecturer Christopher McHugh said the position would not afford Richardson much leverage in effecting sweeping changes in economic policy.
"It's not really a macro policy type of department," McHugh said. "It's not really a top role when it comes to dealing with economy."
He added, "Historically, it's more of a business planning type of thing. It's not a troubleshooter's type of role."
McHugh said the secretary of the treasury, chairman of the Federal Reserve and members of the president's Council of Economic Advisors carry more clout and ability to influence change.
Sources listed Richardson as a contender to become secretary of state before Obama named Clinton earlier this week. McHugh said he was surprised Richardson had received what the lecturer called a relatively inconsequential role, given his record as a stalwart ally of the Obama campaign.
"I thought he was a pretty big player," McHugh said. "From governor of New Mexico to secretary of commerce is sort of a lateral move."
McHugh added, "I think he's a good general politician. I'm surprised he took it."
Tufts Democrats President Shana Hurley said that Richardson should be able to draw on his past experience as a diplomat and as secretary of energy to promote new industries while forging alliances with foreign leaders.
"He'll be at the intersection of the two [past] positions," Hurley said. "We're going to have to be dealing with the international community a lot with this economic crisis, and a goal of the Obama administration has been to create a lot of green jobs."
Although Hurley, a junior, acknowledged the position's limited role, she suggested that Richardson's vision and extensive experience could help him expand the scope of the commerce secretary's powers.
"I think it's fair to say with any position in any administration that it's about the individual," she said. "If you have an extremely qualified and skilled individual, they will take advantage of the opportunity."
Referring to Richardson as the "business sector's emissary to the rest of the world," Hurley said that he will work to "encourage foreign direct investment in the U.S. and their companies."
She added, "His job is to represent U.S. businesses to the rest of the world, and based on his competence and experience, I think he'll be able to do this better than anyone else."
Richardson's résumé
Below are the highlights of Bill Richardson's wide-ranging career in public service:
Chair of Democratic Governor's Association, 2004-present
Governor of New Mexico, 2003-present
Chair of 2004 Democratic National Convention
Secretary of Energy, 1998-2001
U.S. Ambassador to United Nations, 1997-1998
