Gov. Richardson Rumored 'Serious Contender' for Commerce Secretary

According to Chris Cillizza in today's Washington Post:

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has emerged as a "serious contender" to head the Commerce Department under President-elect Barack Obama, according to a Democratic official close to the proceedings.

Richardson was originally in the mix to be the secretary of State but Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) is now expected be announced for that post after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Commerce was originally rumored to be going to Penny Pritzker, the finance chairwoman of Obama's campaign and a close friend of the Illinois senator, but she removed herself from consideration on Thursday due to an inability to extricate herself from a series of complex business ties.

By the way, Josh Marshall at TPM says it should be a condition that Richardson can only become Commerce Secretary if he grows back his beard. I have a tendency to agree. How about you?

Meanwhile, concerns are being expressed about the lack of Hispanic representation among the names currently being floated by the Obama administration as possible appointees:

...anxiety is high among Latino leaders that Obama has not yet named a Latino to a top White House or Cabinet position.

... Senior transition officials -- including Obama's designated chief of staff Rahm Emanuel -- are said to be aware of such concerns and considering Latino candidates for several other Cabinet posts.

"The Obama transition team and the chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, understand the role that the Latino vote played in this election, and I think we will see representation in the Obama Cabinet and at the White House," said Janet Murguia, president of the National Council of La Raza.