“[A]s a former Ambassador to the United Nations, Bill [Richardson] brings both international stature and a deep understanding of today’s global economy.  He understands that the success of today’s business in Detroit or Columbus often depends on whether it can sell products in places like Santiago or Shanghai.  And he knows that America’s reputation in the world is critical not just to our security, but to our prosperity – that when the citizens of the world respect America’s leadership, they are more likely to buy America’s products.”

–President-elect Barack Obama, in remarks Wednesday introducing Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) as his nominee for secretary of commerce.