Obama to Tap Energy Exec for Commerce

(AP) - The Senate today confirmed former Washington Gov. Gary Locke as commerce secretary, handing President Obama an easy victory after his first two nominees for the post withdrew. Locke, 59, was America's first Chinese-American governor, serving two terms from 1997 to 2005. He has promised to focus on job creation and to closely oversee the 2010 census. More»

Sens. give him warm welcome at confirmation hearing

(NEWSER) - Gary Locke, President Obama’s third pick for commerce secretary, faced an amiable crowd during today’s confirmation hearing, the Washington Post reports. Locke’s background check was “clean and happy reading” or “boring,” depending on the senator, but not controversial. The former Washington governor—who, if confirmed, would manage a dozen bureaus tasked with economic growth—said, “We must rebuilt, retool and reinvent our national strategies for sustained economic success.” More»

Ex-Wash. governor will be his third pick for the post

(AP) - President Obama's likely third pick for Commerce secretary is former Washington Gov. Gary Locke, a senior administration official said today. Locke, a Democrat, was the nation's first Chinese-American governor when he served two terms in the Washington statehouse from 1997 to 2005. Since leaving office, he's been working for a Seattle-based law firm on issues involving China, energy, and governmental relations, the AP reports. More»

Commerce nom tried to get rid of agency, but is bridge to big business

(NEWSER) - Judd Gregg is a fairly bizarre choice for commerce secretary, Pete Engardio writes in BusinessWeek, considering the Republican senator once called for the elimination of the Commerce Department. Gregg is a true fiscal conservative, who’s voted against bills to tighten emission standards, raise taxes on gas producers, and negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare. In other words, the ideological gap is wide. More»

Richardson would lead economic revival policy

(NEWSER) - President-elect Obama is expected to announce Bill Richardson's appointment as secretary of commerce tomorrow, Reuters reports, the latest in a string of cabinet announcements. In his new role, the New Mexico governor will lead the charge to revive the nation's economy. Richardson will be the first Latino in Obama’s rapidly filling cabinet. More»