Image: Newscom

His first nomination was New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Richardson withdrew his name amidst fearing a federal investigation would delay the process. Obama’s second choice was Republican Senator Judd Gregg (New Hampshire). Nine days after the President announced his nomination, Gregg also withdrew, citing policy differences. He went on to vote against the stimulus bill.

Locke hopes to concentrate on technology and expanding markets for U.S. goods, creating jobs and increasing entrepreneurship.

“The Department of Commerce can and will create the jobs and economic vitality that our country needs,” Locke said today at the White House.

After Locke’s nomination, the only open cabinet post is that of secretary of health and human services. After Tom Daschle’s withdrawal, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius is the front runner.

Source: Bloomberg

Post from: EveryJoe

Image details: Obama Holds Final Primary Night Event In St. Paul served by picapp.com

Last night, Barack Obama officially won enough delegates to claim the title of the Democratic presumptive nominee. Hillary Clinton has, of course, argued that she won the popular vote. As of yet, she hasn’t stepped out of the race, and we’re not necessarily sure when she intends to.

So what happens now?

We get a break, of sorts, in the Democratic campaigning process. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some discussion behind closed doors, attempts to swing a few delegates one way or the other. But the campaigning isn’t over. I fully expect to see the Obama campaign start working on getting the votes together to win the general election — after all, McCain is already playing that game.

The Democratic convention takes place at the end of August. That’s far too long for Obama to wait to start his campaign, no matter what happens when he gets to Denver. I do have a few thoughts on what Obama’s general election will look like. In the primaries, Obama made a point of winning delegates rather than the popular vote. And as important as a public mandate may be to a president, we can all name at least one election in which one candidate won the popular vote and another won the electoral college. Electoral votes are really all that matter.

Obama won’t ignore any state, but I promise his campaign strategy is going to focus on going where he can pick up the most electoral votes. If he can’t pick up one of the big states, he’ll spend far less time in it than the handful of smaller states that can make up for it.

Post from: EveryJoe

It looks likely, though, that the McCain campaign will reduce their spending for the next couple of months.

Post from: EveryJoe

In other election years, McCain might have been comfortable doing just that: not necessarily shutting down, but turning his attention to the long view. He could have focused on getting voters for November in those states yet to hold their primaries. I don’t think he can afford to scale down on any level, though. Mike Huckabee has made a decision to stay in a race he can’t win and that means McCain has to remain involved in a race he can’t lose. It is worth McCain’s time to keep hammering away on Huckabee’s margin just so that he has a chance of getting those Republican votes in the general election.

President Bush endorsed McCain this morning, and that will help him get a better hold on some of those Republican voters who still feel the McCain doesn’t share their values. But that doesn’t look like it will be enough. McCain still has plenty of ground to cover in ensuring he picks up outlying Republican votes in the fall. That means plenty more spending during the primaries, and just as much campaigning.

Post from: EveryJoe