Latino groups are pressing Barack Obama to appoint New Mexico governor and former Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson as his Secretary of State. Why? Because he’s a beaner-American and, as such, knows how to help Obama crack our secret clickety-clack language:

They argue Richardson, a Hispanic who held cabinet-level and foreign policy posts in the Clinton administration, would help Obama deal with Latin American issues, and that the move would show the incoming president’s commitment to including Latinos in his administration.

Which is cool and all, but how is Richardson specifically more equipped than any other candidate for the position to deal with Latin American issues — particularly Latinos in the United States? Oh, is it because he’s brown? Like the comedy of Carlos Mencia, it’s not enough to have someone be in the spotlight because he or she happens to have Latin American ancestry. Emphasize Richardson’s dealings with Cuba, Peru or Nicaragua. Emphasize his role as a community leader in a state populated by Latinos, American and otherwise. Emphasize his track record for problem solving. But appointing Richardson to a position or expecting him to understand problems facing Nuyoricans, Miami Cubans, Texicans or prominent Central American families living in luxury penthouses solely because he happens to have a Spanish mother and Nicaraguan dad is kind of… Well, it really works to simplify a complex and varied group of people.

We’ve no doubt that Richardson is equipped to handle “Latin American” issues, like education, health care, employment, taxes and other special, unique things non-Hispanics never have to deal with. But to name him as such simply because of his background smacks of condescension. His career shows a deeper commitment to energy issues and those facing Native Americans than to Hispanics. Or, you know. To lying about affairs between Presidents and interns.

Latino group presses Barack Obama to name N.M. Gov. Bill Richardson secretary of state [Biz Journals]