Richardson is the Innovator We Need in Commerce

[babylonsister]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelle-kraus/richardson-is-the-innovat_b_145797.html

Michelle Kraus
Posted November 23, 2008 | 09:16 AM (EST)

Richardson is the Innovator We Need in Commerce


Here we go again! All the media pundits seem to be missing the boat on the brilliance of the selection of Governor Bill Richardson as the next Secretary of Commerce. Many have been just too eager to pigeon-hole him in the role of foreign affairs and stir the controversy missing the real beef of this Governor's legacy in the State of New Mexico.

This man is innovative. We need someone willing to think out the box and attract the best talent to implement and manage. That is Big Bill from the far off land of New Mexico.

Here are the facts: over $2B in revenues and jobs are now coming into New Mexico from Hollywood; the chip giant Intel in a partnership with the State built one of the world's fastest super computers right outside of Albuquerque; venture capital firms have been created to invest in start-up ventures; and partnerships have been formed with titans of private industry. He's got a team of the best and brightest, and even raided Princeton for his young energy advisor who is spearheading innovations for the Western states on climate crisis.

If that was not enough, last spring Richardson sealed one of the largest private and public partnerships with Sir Richard Branson and the State of New Mexico to build the next generation space station. The net is that there are more jobs, and more money and more programs for advanced education - all benefiting the people and the economy of New Mexico for the long term as we all weather the blight of this financial roller coaster.

If he could do a fraction of this on a national level, we would be lucky ducks.

So next time you wonder what Obama was thinking, muse over the facts and applaud him for his shrewd insight in appointing Richardson to help reinvent commerce for the US.

What do you think?

[dkf]

1. Wow. I'm thinking I underestimated the guy.

Who knew?

I'd sure love to know exactly what the Dept of Commerce does though. I was looking it up on wikipedia and I'm still fuzzy on it. I bet Sarah Palin doesn't have a clue either. lol.

[BlooInBloo]

4. Wikipedia? Um, you realize they have their own website....

And from their own website, one can easily obtain the legally-mandated mission of the Dept:

"a. Participating with other Government agencies in the creation of national policy, through the President's Cabinet and its subdivisions.

b. Promoting and assisting international trade.

c. Strengthening the international economic position of the United States.

d. Promoting progressive domestic business policies and growth.

e. Improving comprehension and uses of the physical environment and its oceanic life.

f. Ensuring effective use and growth of the Nation's scientific and technical resources.

g. Acquiring, analyzing, and disseminating information regarding the Nation and the economy to help achieve increased social and economic benefit.

h. Assisting states, communities, and individuals with economic progress.

...


1. The Secretarial Officers are:

Deputy Secretary
General Counsel
Under Secretary for Economic Affairs
Under Secretary for International Trade
Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Under Secretary for Industry and Security
Under Secretary for Technology
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration
Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
Assistant Secretary for Economic Development
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information
Inspector General"

[dkf]

11. I was there and I did see that.

I still can't get a grasp of it though. It looks like some things go through the FTC for example. Also is the US Trade Representative part of the Dept of Commerce or not?

It seems very broad. And does it have any enforcement side?

Nope. Still don't feel like I know what they do.

[TahitiNut]

22. The US Trade Representative is part of the Executive Office of the President ...

... in the Office of the United States Trade Representative. That office is primarily a policy and negotiation function. The FTC is focused on regulation and enforcement (they have their own prosecuting attorneys) and the Department of Commerce is primarily administrative. It's a tenet of management control to segregate the administrative from the enforcement.

It helps to understand that "regulation" is the bastard child of of the Constitution, insofar as it's arguably both an executive and legislative role. Many have criticized Congress for "passing the buck" to the Executive to fill in the blanks of the legislation enacted. It's a fine balancing act. Enforcement is clearly an Executive function, as is administration. Thus, we often see such compartmentalization.

When thinking of the Department of Commerce, it's helpful to keep the following 'real world' activities in mind ..

• weather forecasting and oceanographic studies - arising out of agriculture and fishing commerce needs
• weights and measures, including conversion to the metric system - again arising out of commercial needs for standards in quantification
• the decennial census - that doesn't just count heads for grins but establishes the basis for Congressional Districts, revenue sharing, labor pools, living standards, housing needs, and an almost endless list of other uses
• cable and telephone systems and services - which would include "fiber to the curb" and rural services
• intellectual property and patent administration, including international agreements and the basis for enforcement

The list is extensive and Commerce also the major source of statistical data regarding the economy. Inflation, gross domestic product, and a whole host of key measures of economic health are monitored and maintained by Commerce.

[dkf]

29. Thanks!

That was very helpful.

[janx]

2. She left out our new light rail train: the Rail Runner !

http://www.nmrailrunner.com/

[all.of.me]

3. Yay! I think the train is going to be awesome!

[janx]

5. I'm in ABQ and plan to make much use of it but haven't

been on it yet. Service to SF begins next month!

[all.of.me]

7. Good on ya!

I'm way up in Taos, where public transportation is slowly making its way, but I am so glad to see the rail get built. I've been traveling through ABQ regularly since last spring, and it's been fun to watch the progress. So glad it's getting ready to fly!

[janx]

8. Next semester I'll take it from ABQ to Belen and then catch

a van to Socorro, twice a week! I looked at the schedule today and was amazed at how fast that little train can go!

[all.of.me]

10. How far south will it go?

What are you studying?

[janx]

14. I teach there.

;-)

And I wish so much that it would get itself to Socorro at some point in the future, but I don't know. There are many faculty who live in ABQ and commute to Socorro. The last year has been gasoline hell.

But the Rail Runner is Bill Richardson's baby, as you probably know. He pushed it through despite a lot of bitching and moaning.

Ahhh...he was right, and it is a beautiful thing.

[all.of.me]

23. Wow, that is quite the commute!

I'd take the train to Cruces if it ran that far. It would be so worth it. I have always loved trains and have ridden quite a few. Someday, just like the Continental Divide Trail, it'll cover the whole state.

[saltpoint]

6. One of the great delights about the deep Democratic bench these

days is how very deep it is indeed and how potential Cabinet members for PE Obama could serve ably in more than just one slot.

Bill Richardson, case in point.

I'm not sure there is anything Richardson can't do. He is wildly capable and will serve admirably and loyally and effectively for the new administration.

I hope the notice of his appointment is accurate and if I had my way, he'd start tomorrow.

[Cha]

9. I've been impressed with

Gov Bill Richardson since he stood up and endorsed Obama during the primaries..good judgment.

I didn't know much about him before that. fauxsn00ze wishes he were the "token Hispanic" but Obama only wants people who are there to work for our country.

It will be interesting to see how they all get along since No Drama is certainly a criterion.

[janx]

17. I've been very impressed with him since I moved to NM from Colorado

three and a half years ago, zidz. If fauxsnOOze represented him in that fashion, wow. I'm so very tired of media who prey upon the ignorant just to make some bucks.

[Cha]

19. How's New Mexico going

to be without their Gov Richardson, janx?

:fistbump:

[janx]

21. I think we're going to be just fine:

http://www.dianedenish.com/

(Link is old--she's next in line.)
:hug:

[Cha]

24. Oh, Progressive cutie!

According to scuttlebutt it's Arizona we have to be concerned about then, but with this new way of doing politics that Obama is implementing and Obama winning mccain's home precinct of Maricopa County by 13% maybe it will work itself out?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/17/obama-won-mccains-home-pr_n_144287.html

janx:hug: Happy Thankgiving, janx..I'm flying to Portland Ore to be with my daughter, son(from Kauai)and their fams. All huge Obama supporters:bounce: Grateful grateful grateful!

[Sebastian Doyle]

12. Still think he was the best candidate available for SOS

but I'm confident that he will do an excellent job at Commerce. :)

[janx]

16. He is a smart and efficient diplomat and leader.

And Commerce is very important right now.

[Jennicut]

13. WOW, I had no idea. Richardson is better of at commerce in my opnion. He will do good for us

there.

[Rainbowreflect]

15. Thanks for the info. I have always loved Richardson,

but did not know all this. I was smarter than I knew, supporting Richardson and Obama.

[starroute]

18. Sounds like the idea is to put us back on the New Economy track

I don't recall all the ins and outs, but my recollection is that the tech boom of the late 90's was at least in part a result of Bill Clinton having strong connections with the New Economy. In contrast, the Bushies have lined up with all the old extractive industries, like oil. If it weren't obvious that Obama is a New Economy type of guy himself, this certainly seals it.

As far as the questions about what the Department of Commerce does -- back when I was a kid, we were taught that its job was to represent/deal with the business community, just as the job of the Department of Labor was to deal with workers. That's gotten pretty scrudjied around in recent years, where it seems as though business is running everything, even including the Department of Labor.

But considering that Obama has an economy to rescue, infrastructure to rebuild, a need to stimulate innovation in green industries, and so forth, I'd think that a retooled and redefined Department of Commerce could wind up playing a very central role.

In fact, I'm starting to think that some of the flap over Obama appointing too many centrists comes from people with their eyes on the old-line foreign policy areas like State and Defense, where it would be no surprise if the idea was to get us back to something like the Clinton-era status quo. (Plus trying to finally solve a few intractable problems, like Israel-Palestine or the growing anarchy in Africa.)

But if you're wondering where the "progressive" will be, you need to focus on the domestic policy areas -- Commerce, Interior, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Energy -- and maybe even a few you almost never hear of these days, like Labor, Agriculture, and Education.

[cooolandrew]

20. I thought it was a great pick straight away always heard great things he did for his state.

[phusion]

25. I'll miss Bill

Iceman wants to run for Governor now:


Let's hope we can put someone else in the position...

[Unsane]

26. Better Iceman than a republican.

[phusion]

27. You're right

that was my automatic anti-celeb/politico reflex talking.

Actually, checking out his personal website (http://www.valekilmer.com/home.html) he has quite the list of great organizations that he supports. hmm...

[Bluenorthwest]

28. Hey!

I'm happy to see Richardson at Commerce for several reasons, did not want him at State, this is a perfect fit for him. He will be fantastic.