He should have helped the administration wherever he could have we're all in this together. I'll bet the vetting had something to do with it or is he just that arrogant?

Anyone who turns down an opportunity to serve his nation in a position that was picked by the leader of the free world, not just a leader of these United States.

I'm glad Becerra turned down the position. He showed that he is not interested in helping the NATION which needs all the help it can get.

Why all of a sudden in all the years he has been in congress he decides that he is better off in the position that he is now in. What has he to show for his accomplishment up to this point?

In the trade position he would have an opportunity to do some good in making the trade position work for the good of the country that would help the economy. Trade is not what it should be now, that's why Obama picked him. What has he done so far in Health care and immagration? Who needs a loser? Let's keep our eyes on him to see if he keeps his word on what he said about standing by our President who is trying his best to get an all important team to help our country which in turns would help change the whole world.

Europe, Japan and us are in desperate need of help. If all three of us fail the entire world would suffer in such a way that only the return of Jesus Christ would be able to save our destressed world. The Bible says "Man knows not the way that they should go." This is the main reason why we will not succeed, even thought Barak Obama is doing his level best to pick the best team possible to help turn this country around. The entire world will be harmed if we failed. Not only does the United States desperately needs to succeed, the whole world is dependent on our success.

I will be praying and fasting for our new government to succeeds. May God helps us all.

The guy sees Obama for what he is. Obama wants to get rid of any competitors within his party for 2012 by appointing them to one thing or another. He's no dummy.

I am guessing that April is a republican.
You voted for John McCain didn't you? What makes you think that Obama is a false prophet? Hmmmm….makes you wonder.

Pure power politics. He looked at the position as a demotion. It was step down from his potential prominence staying behind in the House. Good for him.

Republicans is he honest and trustworthy and smart? You just might have something going on here !!

Good for you. That is what I'm talking about. A man with integrity and brains. I applaud you. A man who know false prophet when he sees one. "Bravo". Oops! Oprah would not agree, since she never see such a person in the planet earth.

The article forgot to mention that there is only one major candidate left for USTR…..former Dallas mayor and lawyer Ron Kirk (who would do a great job for Obama by the way).

Texas Teacher I have been reading your comments through out the ticker and have concluded, you are not an English teacher or a Spelling teacher. Not sure you are from Texas either.

USTR ain't high-profile enough? You could make millions as a trade consultant/lawyer after doing that job. But that's not good enough if you are a narcissistic power-hungry, Blagovich-emulating politician. Go for the Vanity, glamour and self-aggrandizement instead of the public interest. Time to implement term limits.

Trade not important?? What about the inequities with China? It's one of the biggest problems for the auto companies…

They say hind-sight is 20-20.

Eric, those bugged me too.
So does this…learn to have…picky,picky,picky

I think that the majority of you are being silly.

Becera has the right to accept or reject any position he wishes. If he rejects the position because he has the potential to do something better or be something more, then it's his decision.

And to all commenters sarcastically calling Obama "the great one," he won. He's not going anywhere. Get over it and stop being such haters.

Becerra will be the first Hispanica President.

This is typical of 99% of today's politicians.
They don't serve their "home" area. They look out strictly for something that will give them more POWER.
How sad. We can place the blame….right in the mirrior….for WE are the ones who put this sad lot in D.C.
Forget the President. Get rid of CONGRESS if you really want "change" in the U.S.

HIS POCKETS ARE PROBABLY FULL TO RUNNING OVER WITH TAX PAYERS MONEY.

Fair enough

He just narrowed his own chances of success. Arrogance.

Perhaps looking for a run in 2012?
there is no way Obama can straighten this mess out in four years, by then we will want another person claiming "Change"

CNN and some of the posters on this site make it sound like no one has ever turned down a cabinet post.

How dare someone say no to The One!

Get over yourselves.

Can you say …. skeleton in the closet?

Becerra didn't take it because trade is not a top priority right now and he want's to rise higher than the House Democratic ranks and didn't want to get off track for a narrowly focused, relatively low profile job? Talk about self-serving! And then to turn the position down publically! My first impression of Mr. Becerra is not very favorable because his behavior is indicative of self-serving interests that many politicians have today…I'm not impressed at all.

"…he would be better off staying in the House where he can deal with a broader range of issues such as health care and immigration."

Here is a tip. Fix the latter issue and the former issue would not be a problem.

The Democratic House needs people like him and his reasons provided sound reasonable. Too bad the naysayers and the press are so quick to judge. Perhaps looking at a run in 2016??

So it sounds as if Becerra is waiting for a "better opportunity"…forget the Country…right?

Trade is not ALWAYS huge for a country like the US? Ha ha ha!

What a loser! lol

The trade position for a huge country like the USA, is what you make of it.

No one in the Transition is going to offer a position without first alerting and vetting the candidate, and the candidate (among OTHERS) had some interest.
.
If the candidate allows himself to be vetted, he IS NOT going to be the only candidate!
So this idea of 'turning down an offer' is sophomoric and NOT credible!

And in this article and explanation you see why this country is so messed up right now.

We have a need in the cabinet, and this rep turns it down because the job is not high profile enough for when and IF he evers gets to run for a higher office.

It is not because he can not do the job, it is just the job is not famous enough for him to do correctly.

I am disgusted by this, and you should be to. Show this clown the door if he is not willing to step up for the good of the nation.

XBox 360 – Party does not matter when you are selfish and lazy.

so he turned the man down…and your point is????

Really CNN, who cares!!

you know what is,it is not the end of the world, everything happen for a reason, the wright peson will come, dont be disappointed
God bless

I am an anglo and I applaud this decision. Becerra is one of the few centrist democrats from California. He can do more for his country and his constituency right where he is. There is no doubt that he will be a committee chairman in the near future and as such a more powerful spokesman for the people of this state. If I was in his district, I would certainly not approve of him taking USTR. We need him to offset the real ideologues like Waxman and Pelosi.

How dare he say no to the mighty Obama! Doesn't he know that no one says no to him?

Well good for Becerra. I hope he continues to squash the rightwing pinheads right there in the House.

People ! this man is seeking attention ,so he can said he is the first to do so.

PLEASE, learn to have an editor look at your ticker posts…

"it might not be number to or three"

"Becerra is a relatively young and a member of the Democratic leadership"

What is the penalty for turning down the Messiah?

BECAUSE HE DON'T WANT TO BE VETTED.HMMMmmmmmm. DO YOU SMELL FISH. I DO.

Oh my! Someone said "no" to The Great One?? What will become of him?

I think it is good idea for Becerra to stay in Congress where he better serves his constituents.

PE Obama can appoint someone with concentrated trade background for USTR.

Keep focused!

*LOL* NO, I do not Thank! I think trade is going to be very important in the coming years.

I'm sure that Obama has a back up plan! I thank Trade is going to be very important in the coming years. Something has to be done about inequality of our Trade agreements. Someone has to be willing to stand up and be counted for our best interests. Perhaps this man is too much a part of the problem to actually be part of the solution.

Just saying… and raising the point.

What a team player….. Hooray! Country First!

So all this article did was reiterate what we ascertained earlier….His stance is he's too important for this non-public, low profile position. Why did it need repeating?

How dare thee turn down the Messiah?!!! Repent!!

I WILL MAKE MY COMMENTS VERY SHORT;

"IF YOU WANT ALL YOU WILL LOSE ALL,

BECAUSE THE HIGHER THE MONKEY

CLIMBS, THE MORE HE WILL BE EXPOSED".

It's a good thing that Becerra does not take the position then; if he think's that our Trade "issues" are not that important. Trade is a the top of the list to also be "fixed". GET RID OF NAFTA!!

That's totally fine. He is free to choose his path.

HOPE WON!

This guy evidently is more concerned about his resume and being a "player" than he is about serving his country and doing what is best for the country. Either that or he has a skeleton in the closet he doesn't want out.

summation: "I turned it down because it wasn't important enough"

wow. way to serve your country when called.

Didn't offer enough, huh???

So, basically, his quote above proves that he said no because he's ambitious and self-important and felt that the position was beneath him? Way to go chief. That's precisely how you get people to offer you appointments in the future. Moron.

He's right, free trade's a BAD DEAL.

It is obvious that the growing scandal with Blogojevich and others will make this administration less than desirable to work for. No one wants to get tainted with that mess.

can't blame him for turning it down, but he might kick himself later if obama has a very successful presidency, but if its a disaster of one then he might avoid the backlash, who knows

His choice, but every position and job in the white house is important. I would not say one is less important than the other, they all have to work together to create a whole.

Sounds like he thinks he's too good for the job.