"Commerce Choice Draws Praise for Background"

"WASHINGTON — President Obama on Tuesday nominated John E. Bryson for commerce secretary, a choice that drew plaudits from business and environmental groups, reflecting his uncommon career in both worlds. But Senate Republicans threatened to block confirmation of the nominee over a trade dispute.

Mr. Obama’s announcement at the White House, with Mr. Bryson and the current commerce secretary, Gary Locke, at his side, capped his search for an executive to add a business outlook to his inner circle. The president said Mr. Bryson’s diverse background recommended him to lead the widely varied Commerce Department, and particularly to spur clean energy projects and American exports generally. ...

Mr. Bryson, 67, was chairman and chief executive of a Southern California electric utility conglomerate, Edison International, for nearly two decades until 2008. Previously he was best known as a founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the nation’s leading environmental organizations. His name surfaced after Mr. Obama’s election among those under consideration for energy secretary, a job that went to Steven Chu, a Nobel laureate and physicist and another proponent of clean energy."

Jackie Calmes reports for the New York Times May 31, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Sen. Inhofe Pledges To Block Commerce Nomination" (The Hill)

"Issa Blasts Commerce Nominee as 'Green Evangelist'" (The Hill)