According to Chuck Todd:
Harold Ford Jr. for Commerce Secretary? It’s something a few Democrats around town are pushing and, according to sources, the idea of appointing the former Tennessee Congressman is being given serious thought by folks high up in the Obama administration.
On paper, Ford checks a lot of boxes for a an easy-to-confirm nominee for this post: He’s a pro-business Democrat (remember, this is Commerce Secretary so the job is to be a promoter of business); he’s a former member of the Congressional Black Caucus (you’ll recall this whole kerfuffle over control of the census under a Judd Gregg-led Commerce Dept. was started by complaints from the CBC); and he’s a practiced spokesperson on TV (the Geithner rollout this week is a reminder that the administration doesn’t have enough solid media savvy members of his team who can sell the administration’s policies.).
Chuck Todd makes some good points about Harold Ford. He's young and telegenic and hopefully he paid his taxes. But he is no progressive. Ford is too much of a beltway insider. He is basically more of the same. Obama does better with someone who is an outsider. I wonder if Obama can appoint someone who's a progressive and pro-socially responsible business. Right now we live in a time where Corporate America may collapse due to its excesses: greed. Would it be nice to promote business that is socially responsible and that doesn't leech off the American people.
UPDATE: Speaking of a progressive Sec. of Commerce, James Sinegal, the CEO of Costco, would be an excellent choice. He is pro-worker and pro-union. He is very successful without succumbing to corporate greed.