I suspect that the Obama folks will not be devastated over the forced withdrawal of Bill Richardson from consideration for the post of commerce secretary. The impression I gained of him over the last eighteen months, during his run for the presidency and subsequent manoeuvring, was of a second-rater who played politics with a small 'p' but didn't really have any big ideas beyond his own advancement. He's also got a terrible reputation for groping women (a female colleague once described him as "handsy", which is a pretty great word).
Most of the key people in the new administration have been picked on the basis of their competence rather than because they're owed favours. Richardson's nomination seemed like a reluctant exception (he endorsed Obama at a crucial moment during the battle with Clinton). In fact, according to Ambinder, it was a sop that the Obama team didn't even think he would accept in the first place. Now maybe they can appoint someone they really rate.
The complication of course, is that Richardson was the most senior Hispanic appointment in a team that doesn't, at the moment, is a bit light in that department.
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