Reed Rules Himself Out for Commerce

Count out Senate Banking Committee Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) for commerce secretary.

Reed, the senior senator from Rhode Island and a friend of President-elect Barack Obama, ruled himself out for the open position in Obama’s administration following a press conference he held Friday to promote Obama’s economic stimulus plan.

A 1971 West Point graduate, Reed traveled overseas with Obama last summer and therefore became the subject of some speculation regarding a potential vice presidential nomination.

“Oh no,” Reed said when asked about the position. “Absolutely not.”

Obama has been without a prospective commerce secretary since his previous nominee New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) withdrew from consideration last weekend.

–J. Taylor Rushing