Commerce Sec. Resigns, Citing Seizure Tied to Hit-and-Run Accidents
- Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:48am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
- Print »
- Email »
AP
WASHINGTON (AP) — Commerce Secretary John Bryson said Thursday he is resigning from the Obama administration after suffering a seizure earlier this month in the Los Angeles area.
President Barack Obama said in a statement that he had accepted the resignation and thanked Bryson for the “invaluable experience and expertise” he brought to the administration.
Bryson, a 68-year-old former utility executive, served as a member of Obama’s economic team and has advised the president on energy issues. He made his resignation official in a letter to Obama, dated Wednesday, and said it was a “consequence of a recent seizure and a medical leave of absence.”
“I have concluded that the seizure I suffered on June 9th could be a distraction from my performance as secretary, and that our country would be better served by a change in leadership,” Bryson wrote.
His resignation followed a series of traffic incidents in California earlier this month. Authorities said Bryson was driving alone in a Lexus near Los Angeles when he struck a vehicle that had stopped for a passing train. He spoke briefly with the three occupants, and then hit their car again as he departed.
The secretary then struck a second car in a nearby city, where he was later found unconscious in his car. Bryson took a Breathalyzer test that didn’t detect any alcohol, authorities said.
Commerce officials said Bryson had not suffered a seizure previously and had “limited recall of the event” involved in the crashes.
In a separate message to Commerce Department employees on Thursday morning, Bryson said their efforts to help American businesses “build our economy and create jobs is more important now than ever.” Obama is in the midst of an intense re-election race that will largely be determined by the fate of the economy.
The White House said Obama would meet with Bryson Thursday afternoon in the Oval Office to thank him for his service.
Bryson said he would keep supporting Obama in a “personal capacity.” The White House statement did not immediately offer details about Obama’s plan to find a permanent successor.
Earlier this month, Bryson transferred his functions and duties as secretary to Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank, who is now acting commerce secretary. The president expressed confidence in Blank’s ability to run the department, saying the staff would continue “putting forward policies that help our workers and businesses compete.”
Shortly after word of the resignation Thursday, Los Angeles County district attorney‘s spokeswoman Jane Robison said that the district attorney’s office has not been presented any case for review. She said the incident remains under investigation by the original law enforcement agency, the San Gabriel Police Department.
The commerce secretary post, typically a low-profile cabinet position, has been problematic for Obama since his first weeks in office.
Obama’s first pick to run the department, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, withdrew from consideration because of a federal investigation into how his political donors won contracts in the state. Obama then nominated New Hampshire Republican Sen. Judd Gregg, but he also withdrew, saying he realized he had “irresolvable conflicts” with the president’s economic policies.
The president finally found success with Gary Locke, the former Washington state governor. Locke served as secretary until 2011, when Obama asked him to move to China to become the U.S. ambassador. Obama then tapped Bryson to fill the post.
This post has been updated since it was first published.
Comments (27)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 676 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 527 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 399 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 371 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 328 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 265 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 275 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 146 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 265 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
oldchevyguy
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:04pmAnother one tossed under the bus.Must be crowded under there.
Report Post »65Plus
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:17pm“Seizure” = “high on drugs”?
Report Post »BlazeCommenter
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 9:45pmNo – Seizure does not = high on drugs. Please educate yourself about seizures. From http://www.epilepsy.com –
A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that usually affects how a person feels or acts for a short time. Seizures are not a disease in themselves. Instead, they are a symptom of many different disorders that can affect the brain. Some seizures can hardly be noticed, while others are totally disabling.
The seizures in epilepsy may be related to a brain injury or a family tendency, but often the cause is completely unknown. The word “epilepsy” does not indicate anything about the cause or severity of the person’s seizures.
A person can have a seizure and it has nothing to do with drugs. It’s a medical condition and it can happen to anybody. Hope that it never happens to you.
Report Post »PROSECUTE_PUBLIC_SERVANTS__FOR_CONSTITUTIONAL_TREASON
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:45pmNo recall? Typical cabinet level official. These are the people running our Gov..
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:15pmTypical, bottom-feeding leftist.
But, he’ll land another gig, probably for more money somewhere because people in this country have no scruples.
Report Post »desertspeaks
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:01pmas the rats begin to leave the sinking ship.. lets see how many others realize the party is over.
Report Post »Greg the Great
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:41pmThose white house pot & drug parties ruined Commerce Secretary John Bryson health.
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:24pmlooks like an he got away with a driving while stoned, Obama flunky
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:59pmWHO? Secretary of WHAT?
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:43pmI can’t wait to see what kind of anti-America commie-lunatic obama nominates to fill this position.
Report Post »eyestoseeearstohear
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:30pmWHY NOT just give up driving and get a “Driver” or take a Cab to and fro?
I smell
Report Post »ANOTHER EXECUTIVE PRIVILEDGED “RADICAL” FLUNKY APPOINTEE COMING!
eyestoseeearstohear
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:27pmSNIFF…SNIFF….
Do you smell that?
SOMETHING STINKS WITH THIS!
Report Post »Turin
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:54pmAgree. Sheesh, they think we’re so stupid.
Report Post »moonlight on the bay
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:09pmI thought it seemed a little fishy to resign over a seizure. I can see him getting medically re-evaluated for a driver’s license and getting tests run for the seizure episode — might need a leave of absence for that — but resignation? I don’t understand how he rearended someone and then got out of the car if he was having a seizure, unless the seizure happened after he hit the car the second time. Supposedly when he got out of the car the first time, he mentioned something about calling the police, but still took off. Just weird.
Report Post »moonlight on the bay
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:17pmOops, I didn’t realize he hit a second car. I just thought he hit the first car 2 times. I stand corrected. I’m not a physician (and I didn’t stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night either) but the situation sounds weird for a seizure. I guess we’ll have to hear from a physician to see if what happened can happen even in rare situations.
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:18pmYeah, I’m not buying the seizure excuse… Doesn’t pass the smell test.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:28pmHis eyes look off center. They are not quite right as left one looks out of line. Could be some brain anomaly there. Then there is Holder with his floating left eye. That seems like he could have been a heavy pot user (at the least) at one time. Who is to know. We will have to find out all the goodies ater they are out of office for people will be ratting them out for money to those who want to write articles. They could make hundreds of thousand of dollars telling what they know. Then if they are alive and able to tell. I keep thinking Forrester in the Clinton Administration and others who knew too much. Of course some people just run out of life.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:14pmI wonder who was paying for his Lexus? My guess is, you and I were. What’s wrong with the Chevy Volt for all government vehicles?
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:42pmThey mold up.
Report Post »contkmi
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:10pmIf it really is seizures, prayers for him. I don’t care who you are, I don’t wish that on anyone. That’s scary stuff.
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:36pmAgreed. My cousin has siezures and at the recommendation of her doctors, she DOES NOT drive….and neither should this guy. I wish him well.
Report Post »JimmyP
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:47pmAgreed. GOOD REMINDER. Prayers for this man and his family, people, please!
OK, how where was I…
Report Post »suttonea76
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:10pmI have got to ask this, but how many cabinet/advisers have resigned under this administration in less than one term? This has got to be a record since people screw up more under this administration than in the past. Holder is about to go and I foresee Warren getting vetted more and more and bailing out. This might make a baker’s dozen or more!
Report Post »SLOWBIDEN
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:09pmHe hit 3 cars in two cities and it was a seizure. Suuurreeeee.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:06pmHis brain got fried trying to spin Barry’s abysmal economic numbers.
Report Post »2SENSEWORTH
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:02pmThat’s one down – two more to go.
Report Post »theblazerunner
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:52amwhat was the bac. , the drug test results?
ask questions
Report Post »