Barack Obama’s transition team suffered a significant setback thanks to the withdrawal of Governor Bill Richardson from consideration as Commerce Secretary. I write <a href=”http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-bill-richardson-debacle-an-epic-fail-for-obama/”>here</a> on the political impact of the withdrawal and on the likelihood that the next Secretary of Commerce will, in fulfilling Barack Obama’s expectations for the role, propagate policies that the United States needs just about as much as you or I need to contract the bubonic plague.