Sunday, January 4, 2009
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as Secretary of Commerce has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.
Richardson told NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell today:
“Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact. But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process.”
A Federal grand jury is investigating how a California company that contributed to Richardson’s political activities won a lucrative New Mexico $1 billion dollar state contract.
A person familiar with the proceedings told The Associated Press that the grand jury is looking into possible “pay-to-play” dealings between CDR Financial Products and someone in a position to push the contract through with the state of New Mexico.
Predictably, Obama said Sunday he accepted Richardson’s decision to withdraw with ‘deep regret.’
7 Comments
+ at 2:38 pm
Looks like Bill Clinton is coming out of retirement after all?
+ at 2:40 pm
I thought the samething, Arizona. Obama has already hired Hillary so why not Bill? You just know the Clenis is itching to be back in Washington as a player again. Plus, I hear they’re selling the house in Chappaqua to become fulltime DC residents.
+ at 2:55 pm
Richardson was a lousy choice from the start.
I get the impression that Obama often hires people who he either:
1. owes a political debt to (Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice)
2. is friends with (Bill Richardson, Eric Holder)
It is troubling that Obama is already having troubles with his cabinet choices. Initially praised for his discipline, I think people will be less forthcoming with the praise. Especially if his choice for Secretary of State runs into trouble with the Republicans in the senate who detest Hillary.
+ at 5:20 pm
Obama needs to clean house early and get control of his cabinet. If he does, no one will remember this in 6 months. Americans don’t care about these sorts of things and have notoriously short memories. Just hope there aren’t any other surprises with Obama’s appointments.
+ at 7:08 pm
I read something worrisome about Hillary’s support for some legislation that benefited a developer who later gave money to Bill’s foundation.
What is it with these people anyway???
+ at 2:53 am
Dirty Dirty politics….. Crooks & Liars
the amount of $ one has to raise to be in the game creates an environment of corruption.
+ at 7:13 am
Now we will see how ‘No Drama, Obama’ manages his first major scandal.