Understatement Is Back!

A couple things on today's now-wrapped up press event introducing Bill Richardson as Commerce Secretary. It appears that Obama envisions the Commerce job as a diplomatic job, both to businesses and interests abroad, and specifically talked about opening markets. Richardson certainly has the diplomatic chops, so he's perhaps more well-suited for the position than I initially thought. Richardson definitely comes from the New Democratic school, so he'll need to be watched on trade agreements, though his remarks during the primary on that subject were decent. In addition, his interest in energy and green jobs does suggest that Obama wants to move toward a new energy economy, which is hopeful.

Second, it's become a cliché to reflect that it'll be great to have a President speak in complete sentences again, but how about how great it will be to have a President that can tell a deadpan joke?

I’m going to answer this question about (Bill Richardson shaving his) beard. I think it was a mistake for him to get rid of it. I thought that whole western, rugged look was really working for him. … We’re deeply disappointed with the loss of the beard.

You have to see it to get the full effect:



Some good comic timing there.

...in addition, I think the reason Obama is attracting all these "stars" for his cabinet is because he CAN. Oftentimes politicians with their own designs won't leave their cushy jobs, but Richardson, Napolitano, etc. know that the Obama Administration is where the action is, and that this is an auspicious time to be in public service at the highest levels and make a difference, paradoxically.