1. Governor…oops!
Becoming the first political casualty in President-Elect Barack Obama’s Cabinet, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson abruptly withdrew his nomination from consideration as Commerce Secretary, citing an ongoing federal “pay-to-play” investigation involving one of his political donors as a mortal obstacle to his confirmation.
Richardson, 61, the former energy secretary and U.N. ambassador under President Clinton was positioned to become the highest-profile Latino in Obama's administration. Obama has named two other Latinos to Cabinet posts: Rep. Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, as Labor Secretary, and Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., as Interior Secretary.
Richardson made it clear that his confirmation in the Senate was far from a sure thing. “Given the gravity of the economic situation the nation is facing, I could not in good conscience ask the president-elect and his administration to delay for one day the important work that needs to be done,” Richardson said in a statement. He added that he would stay on as governor.
Latino reaction to the suddenness and long term impact of Richardson’s departure has been mixed with leaders pressuring the Obama administration to consider another Latino for Commerce Secretary, namely California Congressman Xavier Becerra. Read more from those who think Richardson's move was smart and not so smart…
SMART MOVE:
(http://latinalista.net/op-eds/2009/01/creating_true_change_in_latino_political.html)
DISAPPOINTING: (http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/05/richardson.withdrawal.latinos/index.html?iref=newssearch)
2. Hanging Up on Hope. Twice.
Is Ileana Ros-Lehtinen a little paranoid? Maybe.
The Republican congresswoman from Florida recently got a call from President-elect Barack Obama, didn't believe it was him, and hung up on him. . .Twice.
According to Ros-Lehtinen's flack Alex Cruz, the congresswoman received the call on her cell phone from a Chicago-based number and an aide informed her that Obama wanted to speak to her. When Obama introduced himself, Ros-Lehtinen cut him off and said, “I'm sorry but I think this is a joke from one of the South Florida radio stations known for these pranks.” Then she hung up.
Moments later, Obama tried again, this time through his soon-to-be chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. ”Ileana, I cannot believe you hung up on the President-Elect,” Emanuel said. And then–yes, you know what's coming–she hung up on Emanuel saying she “didn't believe the call was legitimate.” A short time later, Ros-Lehtinen received an urgent call from Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who informed her that she indeed hung up on Obama.
So, Obama tried again and this time he was successful. (Phew!)
“It is very funny that you have twice hung up on me,” Obama said. Ros Lehtinen responded by telling Obama that radio stations in South Florida always make these sorts of jokes. Obama said similar pranksters reside in Chi-town.
“You are either very gracious to reach out in such a bipartisan manner or had run out of folks to call if you are truly calling me and Saturday Night Live could use a good Obama impersonator like you,” Ros-Lehtinen joked with the president-elect.
Holding Onto Hope . . . and a Stripper Pole
If hanging up on hope weren’t enough of an embarrassment, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen held firm to a stripper pole on Miami’s Enrique y Joe morning radio program. A 26-second video clip of the Congresswoman is a hit on YouTube with nearly 12,000 viewings. It begs the question of the Congresswoman. Why?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmJFH5wT-Q
Compiled from www.politico.com and YouTube.
