California Congressman Turns Down Trade Post

[IDemo]

Source: The New York Times

December 17, 2008, 1:28 pm
By Michael Falcone

Representative Xavier Becerra, the California Democrat who was in contention to be the United States Trade Representative in the Obama administration, has decided to remain in Congress, according to a statement from his office.

Mr. Becerra said that “working for and with incoming President Barack Obama would be an opportunity of a lifetime,” but added: “I will get to experience that thrill by working by his side in the People’s House just down the street from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”

In the statement, released by the congressman on Tuesday, Mr. Becerra expressed his desire to begin his ninth term in the House next month and continue pushing for comprehensive immigration reform and universal health care, among other issues.

But in an interview with the Spanish-language newspaper, La Opinion, published before Mr. Becerra’s official statement, he offered a more specific rationale for turning down the job. He said he was concerned about “how much weight this position would have.”

Read more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/california-congressman-turns-down-trade-post/