Gutierrez: Richardson ‘right person’ for Commerce

Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said his Democratic successor is the “right person” for the job.

Gutierrez said Friday that President-elect Obama’s decision to tap New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as the next head of Commerce was the right one to make.

{mosads}Gutierrez told The Hill that he has “always been impressed by his tremendous experience.”

“He knows how important our country’s involvement in world commerce is,” Gutierrez said. “I think he’s the right person.”

Gutierrez has praised Richardson from the start.

He told CNBC shortly after Obama named Richardson: “The great thing about Gov. Richardson is that he comes from a state that does a lot of trade, a lot of free trade. The governor has had a lot of experience around the world. … I think Gov. Richardson will send a great message that we are committed to free trade and committed to the Colombia free trade agreement and Panama and South Korea.”

Richardson has previous executive branch experience. He served as Energy secretary and ambassador to the United Nations. He was also the first Hispanic Obama named to a prominent administration post.

At the time of the announcement, Obama denied he was naming Richardson to Commerce as a “consolation” prize. Richardson had been widely mentioned for the secretary of State position, but Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) was named to that post.