"Commerce chief resigns after crashes" June 22, 2012
NEW YORK — John E. Bryson announced his resignation as President Obama’s commerce secretary Thursday following an episode in which he had a seizure and was involved in a sequence of automobile accidents.
“The work that you do to help America’s entrepreneurs and businesses build our economy and create jobs is more important now than ever, and I have come to the conclusion that I need to step down to prevent distractions from this critical mission,’’ Bryson said in a message to department employees.
Bryson offered no further information about his health or the status of the legal case following the episode earlier this month. He had taken a medical leave shortly afterward and left the department in the hands of his deputy, Rebecca M. Blank. In his message to employees Thursday, Bryson said Blank would continue to serve as acting secretary....
Bryson, 68, a longtime California electricity conglomerate executive and founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council, served just eight months in the Cabinet and had kept a low profile in Washington.
But his back-to-back automobile accidents in California on June 9 drew wider attention. Driving a Lexus in suburban San Gabriel, Bryson rolled into the back of a Buick waiting at a train crossing, according to authorities. He got out to offer to give the other driver his information, then got back into his car and hit the Buick again as he was driving off, police said. Just minutes later, he crashed into the rear of another car about 2 miles away.
Well, he sure was ACTING DRUNK!!
Bryson was found unconscious behind the wheel and taken to the hospital.
Where they took blood to check the alcohol content, right?
He was cited for a hit-and-run accident. His department later said he had a seizure, but it was not clear whether he had it before, during, or after the accidents. Officials said it was the first such seizure Bryson had had but declined to provide many more details about his medical history.
No one involved in the accidents was seriously hurt and the damage to the cars was judged to be fairly minor. Authorities have reported no signs that drugs or alcohol were involved. Bryson has a home in San Marino near the sites of the accident and was there to deliver a commencement address at the private school his four daughters had attended.
He could have been drinking.
Obama has not had much luck with his choices to head the Commerce Department. His first choice, Bill Richardson, at the time governor of New Mexico, withdrew from consideration amid a federal investigation into state contracting, an inquiry that did not result in charges against him.
Because Bill was involved with a pay-for-play corruption $cam. Never you mind that war criminal stuff.
Obama’s second choice, Senator Judd Gregg, Republican of New Hampshire, changed his mind about joining a Democratic Cabinet.
Former governor Gary F. Locke of Washington then accepted and was confirmed, serving two years before stepping down to become ambassador to China. Bryson, former chief executive of Edison International in Southern California, was nominated in May 2011 and, after a brief struggle in the Senate, was confirmed in October.
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Government work is just one big party, huh?
He could have been drinking.
Obama has not had much luck with his choices to head the Commerce Department. His first choice, Bill Richardson, at the time governor of New Mexico, withdrew from consideration amid a federal investigation into state contracting, an inquiry that did not result in charges against him.
Because Bill was involved with a pay-for-play corruption $cam. Never you mind that war criminal stuff.
Obama’s second choice, Senator Judd Gregg, Republican of New Hampshire, changed his mind about joining a Democratic Cabinet.
Former governor Gary F. Locke of Washington then accepted and was confirmed, serving two years before stepping down to become ambassador to China. Bryson, former chief executive of Edison International in Southern California, was nominated in May 2011 and, after a brief struggle in the Senate, was confirmed in October.
--more--"
Government work is just one big party, huh?
