{"id":4036,"date":"2008-12-03T12:02:00","date_gmt":"2008-12-03T18:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/2008\/12\/richardson-to-nm-i-will-never-forget-you\/"},"modified":"2008-12-03T12:02:00","modified_gmt":"2008-12-03T18:02:00","slug":"richardson-to-nm-i-will-never-forget-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2008\/12\/richardson-to-nm-i-will-never-forget-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Richardson to NM: I will never forget you"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Obama says governor is uniquely qualified to lead department that\u2019s critical to nation\u2019s economic recovery<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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This article has been updated.<\/p>\n

Gov. Bill Richardson<\/a> had only a few words for New Mexicans today as he appeared with Barack Obama<\/a> in Chicago to be nominated commerce secretary.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew Mexico, I will never forget you, and I will forever be grateful,\u201d Richardson said.<\/p>\n

This morning\u2019s news conference formalized what has been known for weeks: Richardson is leaving his job as governor of New Mexico with two years left in his term, meaning Lt. Gov. Diane Denish<\/a> will become governor. In a news release that followed the news conference, Richardson provided additional details on the transition to the Denish administration.<\/p>\n

He said he won\u2019t resign from his New Mexico job until the U.S. Senate confirms him, which won\u2019t happen until after Obama takes office on Jan. 20. The state Legislature convenes on the same day to begin addressing a budget shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars, and though Obama will be inaugurated in Washington on that day, Richardson pledged to give the State of the State address in Santa Fe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is by no means an easy decision and brings with it a mix of emotions,\u201d he said of leaving New Mexico. \u201cI am proud of what we have accomplished in New Mexico during the past six years, and we\u2019re not done yet. I will be here to deliver the State of the State address when the Legislature convenes on Jan. 20. I will present an aggressive, responsible and balanced budget plan as well as a full slate of important initiatives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have said many times that being governor of this great state is the best job I have ever had,\u201d Richardson said in the release. \u201cI have been honored by the trust and support of our citizens, and together we have helped build a New Mexico that is stronger and better prepared to face the challenges and embrace the opportunities of this new century.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018A deep understanding of today\u2019s global economy\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Obama, during the Chicago news conference, introduced Richardson as his \u201cgreat friend\u201d who shares his values, and said Richardson\u2019s years as a congressman, U.N. ambassador, energy secretary and governor make him uniquely qualified to run the Commerce Department<\/a>, which he said will be central to the nation\u2019s economic recovery.<\/p>\n

Saying that Richardson has \u201ca deep understanding of today\u2019s global economy,\u201d Obama said the outgoing governor \u201cknows that America\u2019s reputation in the world is critical not just to our security but to our prosperity, that when the citizens of the world respect America\u2019s leadership, they are more likely to buy America\u2019s products.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that Bill will be an unyielding advocate for American business and American jobs,\u201d Obama said.<\/p>\n

That will be Richardson\u2019s primary job: promoting the creation of American jobs and the selling and trading of American products around the world. Both Richardson and Obama spoke today about the creation of jobs in the area of alternative energy, which Obama said will be central to his plan to make America energy independent.<\/p>\n

At the news conference, Richardson called the Commerce Department the \u201cnerve center\u201d of fixing the American economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoosting commerce between states and nations is not just a path to solvency and growth \u2013 it\u2019s the only path,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u2018Looking for the best people\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition expressing his gratitude to New Mexicans at today\u2019s news conference, Richardson thanked his wife and family, then thanked Obama in Spanish and delivered a few words in his native tongue. He closed his speech by saying, \u201cIt will be an honor to once again serve a president who recognizes that America\u2019s diverse heritage is its greatest strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diversity has been a hot topic surrounding the appointment of Richardson, the first Hispanic Obama has named to his cabinet. A Bloomberg.com<\/a> article highlights the fact that Hispanics want more. Obama was asked about that at today\u2019s new conference, and he said, while he expects his White House staff and cabinet to be one of the most diverse ever, he\u2019s focused first on hiring the most qualified people for important jobs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking for the best people, first and foremost, to serve in my cabinet. It just so happens that Bill Richardson is one of those people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

U.S. Sen.-elect Tom Udall<\/a>, D-N.M., in a statement released by his office, agreed that Richardson has \u201cunparalleled\u201d qualifications for the job.<\/p>\n

\u201cGov. Richardson has made sure that New Mexico remains economically competitive, even during these difficult times, by growing businesses big and small, promoting job growth and cutting taxes. He is the ideal pro-growth Democrat for the post, and I am confident he will serve our nation with the same foresight as he has served our state,\u201d Udall said.<\/p>\n

U.S. Rep.-elect Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n<\/a> of the state\u2019s 3rd Congressional District called Obama\u2019s selection of Richardson \u201ca wise choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis selection as commerce secretary shows President Obama\u2019s commitment to turning our economy around and his ability to bring in a diverse team of leaders with exceptional talents and backgrounds,\u201d said Luj\u00e1n, also a Democrat.<\/p>\n

State Republican Party Chairman Allen Weh<\/a> issued a brief statement about Richardson\u2019s appointment, simply saying, \u201cWe congratulate Gov. Richardson on his nomination to become secretary of commerce.\u201d Outgoing U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson<\/a>, R-N.M., wasn\u2019t so kind.<\/p>\n

\u201cRichardson is skipping town and leaving behind a crushing $500 million budget deficit for someone else to clean up. What a mess he\u2019s created in Santa Fe,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

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The Denish era<\/span><\/p>\n

Richardson, in the statement released by his office, asked New Mexicans to offer their trust and support to Denish, who he called \u201ca strong and insightful leader.\u201d He said she \u201chas been a great partner as we have grown our economy, worked to build and expand development and production of renewable energy, created jobs and improved our education system.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am confident she will build on the momentum we have started and continue to work in the best interests of our people,\u201d Richardson said.<\/p>\n

Though Denish spokeswoman Danielle Montoya previously said I would be granted the opportunity to interview Denish today, Montoya said today that Denish is releasing only a brief statement this afternoon and will not grant interviews until next week.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday is Gov. Richardson\u2019s day,\u201d Montoya said.<\/p>\n

Richardson said in the statement from his office that he and his wife will always view New Mexico as home.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no words to express our love for the people, the culture and the beautiful land of this great state,\u201d he said. \u201cWe will carry with us the many friendships we have made as well as the spirit and kindness of the citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Update, 11:25 a.m.<\/p>\n

You can watch the Obama\/Richardson news conference right here:<\/p>\n