Commerce Secretary John Bryson's exit leaves gap in Obama's Cabinet

WASHINGTON With John Bryson's resignation as Commerce secretary, President Obama lost the member of his Cabinet with the most extensive business background, and it's doubtful that a replacement could be confirmed until after this fall's election.

Bryson, 68, stepped down after eight months on the job, citing a recent seizure that led to two San Gabriel Valley hit-and-run accidents.

"I have concluded that the seizure I suffered on June 9 could be a distraction from my performance as secretary and that our country would be better served by a change in leadership of the department," Bryson wrote to Obama in a short letter dated Wednesday.

Obama accepted the resignation, which was announced Thursday.

"As secretary, John fought tirelessly for our nation's businesses and workers, helping to bolster our exports and promote American manufacturing and products at home and abroad," Obama said a few hours before meeting Bryson in the Oval Office to thank him for his service.

Bryson, a former chief executive at Edison International the parent company of Southern California Edison was found unconscious June 9 behind the wheel of his Lexus. He had struck two cars, one of them twice, authorities said. Bryson was hospitalized overnight, and tests showed no alcohol or drugs were involved.

Two days later, the Commerce Department said that Bryson had suffered a seizure and that he was taking a medical leave. A department official said Thursday that initial tests by a neurologist show Bryson suffered a complex partial seizure. During such a seizure, a person has no control over movements, speech or actions and cannot remember them later, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.

Blood test results are still pending and the accidents remain under investigation, authorities said.

The White House released several photographs of Thursday's Oval Office meeting in which Bryson appeared to be healthy, smiling and gesturing as he talked with Obama. Reporters were not allowed to attend the meeting.

Bryson was not available for an interview, a Commerce Department spokeswoman said. In an email to department employees, Bryson thanked them for "many thoughtful and kind notes" since the seizure and promised to "continue to do everything I can to support the president and America's businesses."

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Commerce Secretary John Bryson's exit leaves gap in Obama's Cabinet