Gov. Bill Richardson admitted early on during Thursday’s press conference that he hopes his chief of staff, Brian Condit, will join him on his Washington, D.C., staff at the U.S. Commerce Department.

But it’s not entirely up to the guv who stays and who goes, as he readily admitted a few minutes later when asked who else he wanted to go with him.

On whom among local staff an incoming cabinet secretary can bring to Washington, D.C., Richardson said, “Negotiations take place between the cabinet secretary and the Obama White House.”

Pause.

“The Obama White House will win,” the governor said with a grin. A roomful of media and staff burst into laughter.

But the governor went on more seriously, saying that he hoped to take some of his executive staff with him.

“I assume and my hope is — we haven’t gotten into those discussions -– some of my team members I will be able to take. But it’s too early to predict right now. There’s a lot of talent in my staff and governor’s staff that I’d like to take with me.”

The governor’s office staff numbers around 35 people.